Bryan Singer: His Films Ranked From Worst To Best

The one that started it all. Well, arguably the comic book movie ball had already gotten rolling with 1998's Blade, but it was X-Men that really sent it skyrocketing, blazing the trail for every comic adaptation to hit screens in the years that followed.

There are many ways in which time hasn't been that kind to the original X-Men. It's readily apparent that it was made on a slightly smaller budget than most superhero films since, and some of the FX look a little crude by modern standards. The plot's a bit of an odd patchwork too, reflecting the many drafts the script went through; and poor old Patrick Stewart doesn't have much to do beyond provide the expositional narration to make sense of it all.

That said, X-Men remains a great example of comic book cinema in how effectively it conveys a comic book sensibility. While ostensibly playing it straight but never losing sight of its own inherent absurdity; having fun with the material, not making fun of it as, say, Batman and Robin had done.

X-Men also remains a prime example of how comic book movies can tackle harsh, real-world issues. It's no accident that so many of the X-movies since (this year's Apocalypse included) have referred back to the Auschwhitz prologue; it's a truly harrowing moment, one which immediately establishes Magneto as so much more than your standard bad guy.

And, of course, X-Men was responsible for introducing the world at large to Hugh Jackman. His Wolverine remains one of the best superhero casting decisions ever; 16 years and several appearances later, Jackman remains as synonymous with the role as any actor has ever been.