Hey there, fellow superhero fans! Are you psyched for the upcoming release of Deadpool & Wolverine on July 26, 2024? I know I am! This epic crossover event marks Deadpool’s highly anticipated introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and features the long-awaited return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
But before we dive headfirst into this wild ride, let’s make sure we’re fully prepared. Just like how you wouldn’t walk into a final exam without studying (well, most of us wouldn’t), it’s crucial to do your homework before seeing Deadpool & Wolverine. Trust me, you’ll appreciate all the clever references, inside jokes, and character backstories so much more.
So, I’ve put together the ultimate watch list to get you up to speed. These 8 movies (and one bonus TV show) will give you all the context you need to fully enjoy Deadpool & Wolverine in all its fourth-wall-breaking glory. Let’s get started!
1. X-Men (2000)
X-Men is the film that started it all. Released in 2000, it introduced moviegoers to the world of mutants and the iconic team of superhero outcasts. Most importantly for our purposes, it’s the movie that first brought Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to life on the big screen.
The film follows Wolverine as he’s recruited by Professor Charles Xavier to join the X-Men. He meets fellow mutants like Cyclops, Storm, and Jean Grey, and together they face off against Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants. X-Men sets the stage for the entire franchise, establishing key relationships and conflicts that carry through the later films.
While Deadpool & Wolverine is set in a separate continuity from the main X-Men series, understanding Wolverine’s origins and his dynamic with the other mutants will add depth to his character in the new film. Plus, X-Men is just a damn good superhero movie that still holds up over two decades later.
2. X2: X-Men United (2003)
The second X-Men movie is bigger and better than the first in almost every way. The stakes are higher, the action is more thrilling, and the characters are further developed. For Wolverine, that means diving deeper into his mysterious past and the secrets of the Weapon X program that gave him his adamantium claws and skeleton.
In X2, a mutant assassin named Nightcrawler attempts to kill the President, leading to a renewed surge of anti-mutant sentiment. Meanwhile, Wolverine discovers a secret military base where he was experimented on, and the X-Men have to team up with Magneto to stop a genocidal plot targeting all mutants.
The film features some of the most memorable moments in the entire X-Men series, including Wolverine’s berserker rage at the Weapon X facility and a chilling sequence where Professor X is manipulated into nearly killing all mutants with his mind. Watching X2 will give you a better appreciation for the emotional baggage Wolverine carries into Deadpool & Wolverine.
3. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Okay, I’ll be honest – X-Men: The Last Stand is widely considered the weakest of the original X-Men trilogy. It’s not outright terrible, but it’s a noticeable step down in quality from the first two films. However, it’s still worth watching for a couple key reasons.
First, the film features the long-awaited arrival of the Phoenix, Jean Grey’s incredibly powerful and dangerous alter ego. This storyline is iconic in the X-Men comics and the film adaptation, while flawed, still delivers some impressive visuals and high-stakes drama.
Second, and more relevant to Deadpool & Wolverine, the film marks a major turning point for Wolverine. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say that the events of The Last Stand leave Wolverine in a very different place emotionally than where he started. It’s a crucial chapter in his character arc that informs his later appearances.
So while X-Men: The Last Stand may not be essential viewing, it does provide valuable context for understanding Wolverine’s journey. Think of it as that one required course you have to take to graduate – not the most fun, but necessary nonetheless.
4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Speaking of not the most fun but necessary nonetheless, let’s talk about X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This prequel film was intended to shed light on Wolverine’s early life and the events that led to him getting his adamantium claws. Unfortunately, it’s widely considered one of the worst X-Men movies, with a convoluted plot, shoddy special effects, and some infamously bad creative decisions.
However, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a must-watch for one crucial reason – it features the first appearance of Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool. Reynolds’ performance is a highlight of the film, perfectly capturing the character’s irreverent humor and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
The problem is that the movie completely botches Deadpool’s portrayal in the third act, sewing his mouth shut and turning him into a generic villain. It’s a disservice to the character that Reynolds himself has frequently mocked in the Deadpool movies.
In fact, the post-credits scene of Deadpool 2 features Deadpool going back in time to kill his X-Men Origins: Wolverine counterpart, effectively erasing that version of the character from existence. It’s a hilarious meta moment that only lands if you’ve seen the original film.
So while X-Men Origins: Wolverine is far from a good movie, it’s an important piece of the puzzle for understanding the history of Deadpool and Wolverine on screen. Watch it for Reynolds’ early performance and to appreciate the jokes at its expense in the later Deadpool films.
5. The Wolverine (2013)
After the disappointment of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman took another crack at a solo Wolverine movie with 2013’s The Wolverine. Directed by James Mangold, who would later helm the masterful Logan, the film is a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, The Wolverine finds Logan living in self-imposed exile in the Yukon, haunted by his past actions. He’s drawn out of retirement by an old acquaintance who invites him to Japan, where he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving the yakuza and a powerful corporation.
The film is notable for its darker, more grounded tone compared to the previous X-Men movies. It’s a character study of Wolverine as he grapples with his own mortality and the weight of his violent history. While not without its flaws, The Wolverine is a solid entry in the franchise that sets the stage for Logan’s arc in future films.
It’s also worth noting that the extended cut of The Wolverine, subtitled the “Unleashed Edition,” is the superior version of the film. It adds back in some crucial character moments and a more satisfying ending that better sets up Wolverine’s next appearance.
6. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
X-Men: Days of Future Past is a time-travel epic that brings together the casts of the original X-Men trilogy and the prequel film X-Men: First Class. In a dystopian future where mutants are hunted by deadly robots called Sentinels, Wolverine’s consciousness is sent back in time to the 1970s to prevent the event that leads to this dark timeline.
The film is notable for its ambitious scope, juggling multiple timelines and a massive ensemble cast. It’s also a showcase for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, who serves as the link between the past and future storylines. Watching Wolverine navigate the complexities of time travel and interact with younger versions of the X-Men is a treat for fans of the character.
Days of Future Past is widely considered one of the best X-Men movies, thanks to its clever script, emotional stakes, and thrilling action sequences. It’s a must-watch for any fan of the franchise, and it sets up important plot threads that carry through to later films like Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine.
7. Deadpool (2016)
At long last, we arrive at the first proper Deadpool movie. After the character’s disastrous appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds spent years trying to get a faithful adaptation off the ground. The result was 2016’s Deadpool, a gleefully irreverent and fourth-wall-breaking action-comedy that took the superhero genre by storm.
Deadpool tells the origin story of Wade Wilson, a wisecracking mercenary who gains accelerated healing powers after undergoing an experimental treatment for cancer. With his new abilities and a twisted sense of humor, Deadpool sets out to get revenge on the man who nearly destroyed his life.
The film is a love letter to the comic book version of Deadpool, packed with meta jokes, pop culture references, and R-rated violence. Reynolds is pitch-perfect in the role, fully embodying the character’s manic energy and razor-sharp wit.
Deadpool is essential viewing for Deadpool & Wolverine for obvious reasons. It establishes the tone and style of the Deadpool movies, which Deadpool & Wolverine is sure to continue. Plus, the film features a few key X-Men characters like Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who may very well pop up again in the new movie.
If you only watch one movie on this list, make it Deadpool. It’s not just a great superhero film, but a hilarious and subversive comedy that stands on its own merits. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
8. Logan (2017)
And now we come to Logan, the film that many consider to be Hugh Jackman’s finest outing as Wolverine. Directed once again by James Mangold, Logan is set in a bleak near-future where mutants are all but extinct. An aging and weary Logan is hiding out on the Mexican border, caring for a senile Charles Xavier, when a young mutant girl named Laura enters his life.
What follows is a gritty, emotional road trip movie that pushes the boundaries of what a superhero film can be. Logan is a character study first and foremost, exploring the toll that a life of violence and loss has taken on its protagonist. It’s a fitting swan song for Jackman’s Wolverine, allowing him to deliver a raw and vulnerable performance.
The film is also notable for its hard-R rating, which allows for some of the most brutal and visceral action scenes in any superhero movie to date. Watching Wolverine slash and stab his way through hordes of enemies is simultaneously thrilling and disturbing, a reminder of the character’s animalistic nature.
Logan is a must-watch before Deadpool & Wolverine for a few key reasons. First, it provides crucial context for where Wolverine is at mentally and emotionally when we meet him in the new film. Second, it introduces the character of Laura, aka X-23, a clone of Wolverine with similar powers. Laura is confirmed to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, played once again by Dafne Keen, so familiarizing yourself with her backstory will be important.
Finally, Logan is just a damn masterpiece of a film that deserves to be seen by any fan of superhero movies or great cinema in general. It’s a fitting conclusion to Jackman’s tenure as Wolverine, even if Deadpool & Wolverine will now continue his story in a new direction.
Bonus: Deadpool 2 (2018)
If you enjoyed the first Deadpool movie, chances are you’ve already seen Deadpool 2. But if for some reason you haven’t, now’s the time to catch up. The sequel brings back all the humor and action of the first film while expanding the scope and introducing new characters.
In Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson forms the X-Force, a team of mutant mercenaries, to protect a young mutant named Russell from the time-traveling soldier Cable. Along the way, he clashes with the X-Men, faces personal tragedy, and makes a lot of dirty jokes.
The film is notable for introducing two key characters who are confirmed to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine: Cable, played by Josh Brolin, and Domino, played by Zazie Beetz. Cable in particular has a complex backstory that involves time travel and alternate futures, which may come into play in the new movie.
Deadpool 2 also features some hilarious meta jokes and cameos, including a post-credits scene where Deadpool goes back in time to “fix” some of Ryan Reynolds’ past movie mistakes. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the self-referential humor that makes the Deadpool movies so unique.
While not quite as fresh and surprising as the first film, Deadpool 2 is still a wildly entertaining ride that pushes the boundaries of what a superhero sequel can be. It’s a must-watch for any fan of the Merc with a Mouth.
Bonus Bonus: Loki (2021)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking – what does a Disney+ series about the god of mischief have to do with Deadpool and Wolverine? Well, as it turns out, quite a bit.
Loki introduces the concept of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a bureaucratic organization that monitors and polices the timeline. In the show, Loki is recruited by the TVA to help fix various “nexus events” that threaten to disrupt the proper flow of time.
Why is this relevant to Deadpool & Wolverine? Because the film’s plot reportedly revolves around the TVA pulling Deadpool out of his timeline and setting him on a mission to save the universe. This will presumably involve a lot of time-hopping and multiverse shenanigans, which is right up Loki‘s alley.
While it’s not strictly necessary to watch all six episodes of Loki to understand Deadpool & Wolverine, it will certainly help to be familiar with the TVA and how they operate. Plus, Loki is just a really fun and clever show that expands the MCU in exciting new directions.
If you don’t have time for the whole series, I recommend at least watching the first episode, which sets up the TVA and Loki’s role in their organization. You can also check out the fifth episode, “Journey Into Mystery,” which dives deep into the workings of the TVA and introduces some key concepts that may come into play in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks – the ultimate watch list to prepare you for Deadpool & Wolverine. By watching these 8 movies (and maybe a TV show or two), you’ll be fully armed with all the context, character backstories, and inside jokes you need to appreciate the new film on a whole new level.
Of course, Deadpool & Wolverine is sure to be packed with plenty of surprises and unexpected twists. That’s part of the fun of a Deadpool movie – you never quite know what you’re going to get. But by doing your homework and familiarizing yourself with the relevant corners of the X-Men and MCU universes, you’ll be able to pick up on all the clever references and Easter eggs that are sure to be scattered throughout the film.
So what are you waiting for? Fire up your streaming service of choice and get watching! And when July 26 rolls around, you can strut into the theater with confidence, knowing that you’re fully prepared for whatever crazy, fourth-wall-breaking antics Deadpool and Wolverine have in store.
As always, stay nerdy, my friends. And enjoy the show!
