The X-Men movie franchise has had its highs and lows, but one thing it’s rarely lacked is a memorable opening scene. From haunting beginnings to hilarious subversions, each film kicks off with a sequence meant to draw viewers into Marvel’s world of mutants, moral conflict, and, sometimes, meta-commentary. These openings set the tone for what follows, whether that’s a grounded character study or a bombastic action romp.

The X-Men cinematic universe is vast, with timelines and tones that often contradict and overlap. The core includes seven mainline movies, three Wolverine-centered spin-offs, the ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool movies (including the MCU’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine for completion), and The New Mutants. Whether it’s Xavier’s school or a dystopian future full of Sentinels, each opening scene tells you a lot about the story and the characters to come.

14

Dani Moonstar Is Rescued By Her Father

The New Mutants

The New Mutants opens with a disaster tearing through Dani Moonstar’s home while her father tries to save her. Meant to be haunting and mysterious, the chaotic handheld camera work and rapid editing obscure rather than enhance the drama. While the sequence hints at bigger supernatural forces and introduces a key trauma for Dani, the confusing visuals and underwhelming payoff make it feel lackluster.

It sets a somber tone but does little else effectively. Much like the film itself, it promises more than it delivers. An intriguing concept, poorly executed, and a weak way to kick things off.

13

Jean Grey Kills Her Parents

Dark Phoenix

Dark Phoenix opened with a young Jean Grey accidentally causing a fatal car crash while trying to quiet her parents’ arguing. It’s a cold open aiming to establish Jean’s immense, uncontrollable power, but the execution feels detached. While the moment is important for the movie’s plot, it struggles to deliver an emotional punch.

Dark Phoenix arguably failed because it didn’t allow enough time to foster Jean Grey’s character in advance. As a result, the opening scene (and the movie itself) was underwhelming and confused. It’s a forgettable start to one of the franchise’s most critically panned entries.

12

Xavier And Magneto Visit Jean Grey

X-Men: The Last Stand

The opening for X-Men: The Last Stand sees a de-aged Professor X and Magneto recruiting a young Jean Grey. It’s an intriguing start, with sharp dialogue and some fun visual touches – like the reveal of Jean’s overwhelming telekinetic abilities. The scene is elevated by the gravitas of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, whose chemistry and charisma carry the moment.

Plus, eagle-eyed fans get a nice Easter egg cameo from comic legend Chris Claremont. While the de-aging effects haven’t aged well, this intro still works better than Dark Phoenix’s similar attempt. It’s short, eerie, and solidly sets the stage.

11

“F*** Wolverine”

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 opens with a hilariously bitter jab at Logan, mocking the idea that Wolverine got a serious, emotional sendoff in an R-rated comic book movie. After a glum monologue, Wade explodes himself in a failed suicide attempt while declaring “F*** Wolverine.” It’s dark, funny, and fittingly irreverent, with Ryan Reynolds’ trademark snark fully on display. The moment doesn’t linger, it quickly transitions to more action, but it’s a brief, bold, and memorable tone-setter. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool makes it clear: this movie won’t take anything seriously.

10

Wolverine In A POW Camp

The Wolverine

The Wolverine begins in Nagasaki during World War II. Imprisoned in a well, Logan witnesses the atomic bomb drop and protects a Japanese soldier from the blast with his own body. It’s one of the most visually intense and emotionally raw sequences in the franchise.

The scene is haunting, violent, and instantly gripping, showing the horror of war and Logan’s resilience. As an origin point for his later relationship with that soldier, it also lays important groundwork. It’s a dark, impactful opening that ranks among the franchise’s most underrated and gruesome moments, despite the uneven film that follows.

9

Egypt Rebels Against Apocalypse

X-Men: Apocalypse

X-Men: Apocalypse features an ancient Egyptian prologue that drops viewers into a sun-drenched, large-scale spectacle. Apocalypse’s transformation ritual is interrupted by a rebel attack, triggering mᴀssive destruction. The set design is epic, the cinematography feels mythic, and the action is explosive.

It effectively establishes Apocalypse’s godlike powers and ruthless following. Despite the uneven film that follows, this opening feels like it belongs to a biblical epic rather than a superhero movie. It’s dramatic, visually rich, and gives the villain much-needed context. One of the few moments where Apocalypse truly lives up to its name.

8

Wolverine’s Tragic Childhood

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine begins with a flashback to young James Howlett’s (Wolverine’s) origins. The young James’s mutant powers manifest when he accidentally kills his father, setting a tragic precedent for Wolverine’s whole life. The scene is surprisingly poignant and sets a dark, emotional tone.

Unfortunately, that’s the high point of the film. Though X-Men Origins quickly descends into silliness and plot holes, this intro is raw and memorable, capturing the character’s inner turmoil. With sweeping visuals and a strong child performance, it suggests a deeper movie than what follows. Still, as far as openings go, it’s effective.

7

Wolverine Working

Logan

Set in a bleak, near-future world, Logan opens with a weary, limping Wolverine fending off a group of carjackers. The scene is violent, brutal, and grounded, with Logan’s declining health and feral rage on full display. Hugh Jackman’s performance immediately sets the tone: this is a Wolverine cinemagoers have never seen before.

This Wolverine is tired, angry, and barely holding it together. The dusty, dystopian atmosphere and grounded tone distinguish it from other X-Men films right away. It’s a low-key but powerful opening that firmly announces Logan as a different kind of superhero movie, intimate, raw, and emotionally heavy.

6

“Bye, Bye, Bye”

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine

In characteristic fashion, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine opens with a bone-crunching battle between Wade and TVA agents, using nothing but Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton as a weapon. Set to NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye,” it’s a perfect blend of absurdity, nostalgia, and irreverence. This intro throws all canon sancтιтy out the window, literally breaking open Wolverine’s legacy for laughs. It’s violent, hysterical, and a clear statement: ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine is going full-tilt, no-holds-barred, and totally unafraid to mock its predecessors. The wildest opening yet, and a brilliantly chaotic reintroduction to ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s world.

5

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s Mid-Battle Intro

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool

The first ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool opens mid-action, with a frozen slow-mo sH๏τ of carnage and ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s iconic narration over the credits. Between the fourth-wall-breaking jokes, the skewering of superhero tropes, and an epic highway brawl, it immediately converys everything about this character. It’s a chaotic, hilarious, and stylish way to open the film.

The slow-motion and irreverent meta-humor aren’t just clever, they’re defining. It’s brief and nonlinear, but it’s an unforgettable tone-setter that redefined what an R-rated superhero movie could be. A brash, bold beginning for one of the most unique comic book adaptations.