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X2

Play trailer 1:40 Poster for X2 PG-13 2003 2h 14m Action Adventure Fantasy Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 249 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Stryker (Brian Cox), a villianous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of the X-Men. This threat re-ignites the call for a mutant registration act. Stryker starts a full-out assault on Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) mansion and school. After escaping his plastic cell, Magneto (Ian McKellen) proposes a partnership with Xavier and the X-Men to combat this new formidable enemy they both have in common.
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X2

X2

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Critics Consensus

Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.

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Critics Reviews

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Alonso Duralde The Advocate X2 is pretty much all that you’d ever want out of a comic book movie -- it’s smart, it’s breathlessly paced, the characters have at least 2 1/2 dimensions, and the action sequences are jaw-droppers, even on the small screen. Apr 5, 2022 Full Review Alexander Walker London Evening Standard The truth is, the film is never again as good as its brilliant opening sequence. Jan 10, 2018 Full Review Barbara Ellen The Times (UK) X-Men 2 remains a decent enough sci-fi effort, which delivers on most of the levels fans could expect. Too bad it's hampered by a plot that wouldn't get green-lit for an average episode of Buffy. Jan 3, 2018 Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Shockingly manages to balance the sillier, more cartoonish tone of the X-Men franchise to tell an unexpectedly mature narrative. Rated: 4/5 Sep 11, 2025 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand At 135 minutes it never feels long, thanks to a driving pace, rapid crosscutting between parallel stories, and spectacular action scenes that never forget about the characters at the center. May 4, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Inspiring hope for equality and further suggesting that governments are at the mercy of the populace, the franchise actionizes these themes to gratify both the mind and senses as few comic book movies have ever done to this point. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 15, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tyler L A great sequel, it improves the first movie with a better story and great action. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/25 Full Review Khaliel P Building on the success of the first film, X-Men 2 expands the universe with a richer story centered on the human villain William Stryker and his connection to Wolverine. Opening with an unforgettable Nightcrawler attack at the White House, the film balances multiple storylines and gives more depth to the team beyond Wolverine. Featuring standout moments like Magneto’s ingenious escape and Wolverine’s unleashed fury, Bryan Singer’s sequel delivers a smarter, darker, and more emotional take on the mutant struggle for acceptance. Despite a few narrative flaws, it remains one of the best and most satisfying superhero sequels ever made. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Garrett B I enjoyed more than xmen(2000). Less unsettling and some new characters. Feels a little outdated but not as bad as first one. Wolverine has a lot of good moments, but not entire movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Jorge R Wolverine and Nightcrawler were Awesome in this sequel. Better than the first X-men! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Zein U Absolutely fantastic movie! Would recommend everyone to watch this masterpiece of a movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Amir A I went in with a high standard since I hear people say this movie is one of the most underrated superhero movies but I disagree. The action, visuals, hair and make up design is amazing but the music and flashy lights are jarring. Iceman, Rogue and Pyro have no purpose whatsoever just to set up the third movie. Lady Deathstrike vs. Wolverine although short it was pretty cool and seeing Jean’s early descent into The Phoenix was interesting. Cyclops sucks so hard bro was barely in the movie. But hey Nightcrawler was pretty cool. I could go on forever but eh cba. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
X2

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Cast & Crew

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Bryan Singer

Director

Patrick Stewart

Professor Charles Xavier

Hugh Jackman

Logan

Ian McKellen

Erik Lehnsherr

Halle Berry

Ororo Munroe

Famke Janssen

Jean Grey

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X2

X2: Trailer 1 X2: Trailer 1 1:40 View more videos
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X2

A scene from the film X-2. A scene from the film X-2. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry) in the X-Jet. Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) Pyro (Aaron Stanford). Director Bryan Singer on the set. Storm (Halle Berry), Cyclops (James Marsden), and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Pyro's (Aaron Stanford) formidable ability to manipulate and control fire is in full display as a group of mutants are surrounded by police. Mazda's new RX-8 plays a key role in X2. In his plastic prison, Magneto (Ian McKellen) uses his mutant powers to overcome a guard (Ty Olsson). View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Stryker (Brian Cox), a villianous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of the X-Men. This threat re-ignites the call for a mutant registration act. Stryker starts a full-out assault on Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) mansion and school. After escaping his plastic cell, Magneto (Ian McKellen) proposes a partnership with Xavier and the X-Men to combat this new formidable enemy they both have in common.
Director
Bryan Singer
Producer
Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter
Screenwriter
Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty, David Hayter, Bryan Singer, Zak Penn
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Marvel Films
Rating
PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action|Brief Language|Sci-Fi Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$214.9M
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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