X-Men: The Animated Series
Series, 1992, Fox Kids, Set in The X-Mansion
X-Men: The Animated Series is #15 of 28 in release order and #15 of 28 in chronological order in the Saturday Morning Cartoons.
The story
The X-Men are an elite team of mutants, genetically gifted human beings with superpowers, sworn to fight for mutant rights against hostile Government agencies, whilst at the same time protecting mankind from mutant supremacist Magneto who seeks to destroy the human race in return for the atrocities committed against mutant kind.
X-Men: The Animated Series recap
Professor Charles Xavier's X-Men, mutants feared by the humans they protect, fight from their mansion in Westchester. The team is Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Beast and Jubilee, the new girl through whose eyes the first episode is seen. Magneto argues that mutants must defend themselves by force, and the Sentinels, giant mutant-hunting robots, are a constant threat. The show adapted major comic storylines in long arcs: Days of Future Past, with Bishop arriving from a ruined future; the Phoenix Saga and Dark Phoenix Saga, in which Jean is taken over by a cosmic force and dies; Apocalypse and his Horsemen; and a time-travel crisis with Apocalypse across history. Cyclops and Jean marry, and Rogue and Gambit circle each other. The series ran on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1997 for five seasons. Its later seasons had fewer episodes and a different animation studio.
X-Men: The Animated Series ending explained
The finale, "Graduation Day" (1997), has Xavier shot by an anti-mutant extremist. The only way to save him is for Lilandra to take him into space to the Shi'ar Empire, and he says farewell to his X-Men and leaves Earth. Marvel continued the story in X-Men '97, starting in 2024; its second season ran on Disney+ from July to August 2026.
Where to watch X-Men: The Animated Series
X-Men: The Animated Series is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.4/10
Where it fits
- Release order: after Eek! The Cat, before Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
- Chronological order: after Eek! The Cat, before Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Cast
- Cedric Smith as Professor X (voice)
- Norm Spencer as Cyclops (voice)
- Catherine Disher as Jean Grey (voice)
- Lenore Zann as Rogue (voice)
- Cal Dodd as Wolverine (voice)
- Alyson Court as Jubilee (voice)
- George Buza as Beast (voice)
- Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm (voice)
- Chris Potter as Gambit (voice)
- Tony Daniels as Gambit (voice)
- Iona Morris as Storm (voice)
- Lawrence Bayne as Erik the Red (voice)
Created by Eric Lewald.