The X-Men movies were a powerful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and with 20 years and 13 films. These big-screen adventures were filled with amazing performances that captured all those unforgettable characters from these comics.
X-Men Movie Villains Ranked Worst To Best
Let’s dive deep into a great group! These awesome villains. It isn't going to be easy. It might even be more exciting to create these villains' power rankings and try to choose who really takes the top spots! With a mix of super cool, powerful heroes and villains that are equally memorable, they make this genre more impressive!
The Worst:
- Deadpool – From X-Men Origins: Wolverine (released in 2009). If you didn't love Deadpool before! This take wasn't the best! What made Ryan Reynolds memorable, and in some ways brought even more hype to the role of Deadpool, came later on. This first version of Deadpool, was anything but what fans had been expecting.
There have been some amazing versions, so to see the movie's take on this well-loved antihero in X-Men Origins: Wolverine left many questioning if there was any hope left. And this version of the character felt truly horrible and didn't do him justice! There is still hope as Reynolds has come through with other amazing adaptations.
Some More Lesser-Known Villains
- Vuk, (played by Jessica Chastain) from Dark Phoenix (2019). If there's any chance that one of these movies could have had a big boost it's this one! However, the story wasn't quite as captivating as X-Men: The Last Stand.
- The Demon Bear, from The New Mutants, (2020), is a horrifying vision from this spooky series that seemed a bit scary. What it wasn't was incredibly compelling for audiences as many fans felt like there just wasn't enough depth! They never truly got attached, and its role, felt more of an afterthought.
- Apocalypse from X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), played by Oscar Isaac!
There have been so many big names but in a list, this is an attempt to make sense of a really interesting selection of villains! It was not hard to place these villains here.
Middling Villains:
- Ajax (or Francis) from Deadpool (2016) . If you think Ajax is truly the type to frighten a great hero, he really does lack the ability! This movie, focused mostly on Deadpool who's on a revenge spree.
- Cassandra Nova from Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) – The twin of Professor X! But what didn't make this memorable were the lack of any incredible abilities! She had an eerie feeling that was great to have but her character didn't resonate, unfortunately, so the character didn't become quite as successful, although there is potential as a powerful character that exists!
- Donald Pierce from Logan (2017). With Boyd Holbrook playing the role it was not all that inspiring! Pierce did give a good performance, but not enough to stand up amongst some of the biggest and most compelling characters. The movie did a lot to explore his persona but for this character? It just wasn't as strong as the movie's other great elements.
X-Men's Memorable Villains:
- The Phoenix from X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and Dark Phoenix (2019) – She may be the cause of a lot of great moments in the X-Men Universe. The story was one that gave everyone so much to talk about. It is not just about a single character that’s memorable!
- Sabretooth, (a truly terrifying figure!) He was one of the more memorable ones. He appears in X-Men (2000), X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Deadpool & Wolverine!
- Sebastian Shaw – Played by Kevin Bacon in X-Men: First Class (2011). This villain was unforgettable as he tried to launch a big nuclear war!
So there's that group! Now we're getting into those unforgettable and must-see characters! Some villains left their imprint in just one movie and made their big, exciting debut that audiences couldn't ignore!
A List of Memorable Villains
- Emma Frost (also known as The White Queen), in X-Men: First Class (2011) as one of the most powerful women who appears in the film. She really brought a new set of awesome, incredible powers to the screen! There were many who hoped that her appearance might even mean she would get to lead the big screen adaptation!
- Cable, as the memorable antagonist for Deadpool, (seen in Deadpool 2 (2018). Josh Brolin also had a great role, but in a different Marvel project that same year in "Avengers: Infinity War."
- Bolivar Trask (in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). He is played by Peter Dinklage. This really shows his unique talent for these sorts of performances.
- The Silver Samurai (seen in "The Wolverine" (2013). While his true persona may have had a somewhat boring aspect to his story. The real hero is the suit! It's truly one of the greatest outfits that has taken shape!
- Mystique – It appears the series can't get enough of this fantastic character. Fans have really loved seeing her in so many films! The movie X-Men: First Class really had the most incredible storyline to showcase the traumas that led to the choices she's had to make!
- William Stryker has had several portrayals in the series. This makes it even more compelling as he’s known for being an excellent antagonist that adds something extra special to the franchise!
The Most Powerful of All Villains- Magneto
While there's plenty of great characters in the X-Men franchise and a ton of talent on the big screen. Magneto comes out on top.
Fans really appreciate the compelling storylines! But for someone who wants to learn about what true evil, can mean and what incredible passion for these comics. Magneto, gives audiences so much more, which also helps audiences truly connect.
- There are several actors who gave Magneto so much. The actor who's been at the helm and a favorite. Sir Ian McKellen, played a crucial part in establishing what the villain is.
- We also got a younger Magneto with a fresh face, Michael Fassbender.
He has had so much and was at the center of many stories in the X-Men series and while there's plenty of memorable villains. He's definitely got that special, exciting, memorable and dramatic touch. One of the biggest questions to answer about the new series? Whether Magneto will show up. And if he does. It will certainly be an interesting question about who will play this part!
Who is the best villain of the X-Men Movies?
These rankings help to give viewers a greater perspective about some of the iconic figures in this movie series.
Do you agree or have any of your own choices?
