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X-Men: First Class

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2:44

X-Men: First Class

PG-13

Released Jun 3, 2011

2h 6m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

295 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In the early 1960s, during the height of the Cold War, a mutant named Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) meets a fellow mutant named Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender). Despite their vastly different backgrounds -- Charles grew up with a wealthy family, while Erik lost his parents at Auschwitz -- the two become close friends. As the world teeters on the brink of a nuclear war, Charles and Erik with other mutants join forces to save humanity. However, a situation soon tears the friends apart.

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Critics Consensus

With a strong script, stylish direction, and powerful performances from its well-rounded cast, X-Men: First Class is a welcome return to form for the franchise.

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Jarrah E Hodge

Bitch Media

The acting, special effects, and writing were excellent, except possibly the two times Xavier tries to hit on women in bars by saying they have "groovy mutation[s]".

Jan 7, 2021

Full Review

Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

First Class can safely be watched by first-timers, but old faithfuls of the franchise will get a little more, tracing the origins of their favourite characters.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 2, 2019

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

If you didn't see the previous movies, you may not be able to appreciate some of the subtle references, but that won't make you enjoy the movie any less. Check it out.

Rated: B

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... Jennifer Lawrence is superb as the young blue-skinned shape-changer Mystique, trying to reconcile her identity crisis with Xavier’s sometimes oblivious idealism.

Sep 9, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A summer movie where audiences will leave talking about the performances and the ideas, not the mindless battles.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 7, 2023

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

Lumination Network

This is an immensely fun, engaging, stylish superhero film that I fully recommend for your viewing pleasure.

Feb 11, 2022

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Eye C

A great starting point for the mutants. Great performances and the historic context are the best of this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

James E

Better than most X-men movies. The characters in this film shine, and the parallels between real world and X-men mythos are fun and interesting. McCavoy and Fassbender are the bread and butter in this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Calvin O

Overall the story and acting aren't bad. It's just a bit boring at times. I guess that's what happens when your main goal is to clean up storylines.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

Nerd W

One of the Better X-Men Movies, a few inconsistencies but that goes for all in this franchise

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

Benjamin J

This movie is the second best X-Men movie (underneath X-Men: Days of Future Past). Even though Bryan Singer wasn't the director it was still good. (yeah I'm looking at you X-Men: The Last Stand). Kevin Bacon's role as Sebastian Shaw was amazing. What if Kevin Bacon in the MCU is actually Sebastian Shaw in disguise?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

Full Review

Paul S

This movie was great! Seeing the origin of Professor X and Magneto's relationship was amazing, and the story was really compelling. I'd definitely recommend it for superhero fans!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

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Matthew Vaughn

Director

James McAvoy

Charles Xavier

Michael Fassbender

Erik Lehnsherr

Rose Byrne

Moira MacTaggert

Jennifer Lawrence

Raven

January Jones

Emma Frost

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Synopsis

In the early 1960s, during the height of the Cold War, a mutant named Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) meets a fellow mutant named Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender). Despite their vastly different backgrounds -- Charles grew up with a wealthy family, while Erik lost his parents at Auschwitz -- the two become close friends. As the world teeters on the brink of a nuclear war, Charles and Erik with other mutants join forces to save humanity. However, a situation soon tears the friends apart.

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Producer: Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Gregory Goodman
Screenwriter: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Bad Hat Harry, Donners' Company
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Action|Brief Partial Nudity|Intense Sequences of Violence|Language|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $146.4M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS

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