X-Men '97: Season 1 (2024)
TV SeriesOptionalOwn universe
The animated X-Men continue their 90s saga as a new era dawns in Professor X's absence. A Phase Five release, it was the 20th MCU series season to come out and sits at #79 of 81 in story order. We grade it Optional, so it’s safe to skip if you’re short on time. At 10 episodes, about 7h 30m in all, it streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Release date | March 20, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 10 × ~45 min |
| Phase | Phase Five |
| Saga | Multiverse Saga |
| Story position | #79 of 81 in chronological order |
Why it matters in the MCU
A continuation of the 1990s X-Men cartoon, set in its own universe. Not required for the MCU, but it’s one of the best-reviewed things Marvel has made.
About X-Men '97: Season 1
Season 1 of X-Men '97 picks up a year after Professor X was nearly killed at the end of the original 1990s series. To everyone's surprise, his will places Magneto in charge of the X-Men, even though Cyclops was expected to lead. Cyclops and Jean Grey are new parents to baby Nathan, and their family life gets complicated in ways that lead back to Mister Sinister. Meanwhile, a new anti-mutant Sentinel program closes in. The tone is faithful to the original, but the stakes feel much bigger.
Beau DeMayo created the series and was head writer, with Jake Castorena as supervising director for Marvel Studios Animation. Most of the original cast came back, including Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza and Alison Sealy-Smith, alongside Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, A. J. LoCascio as Gambit and J. P. Karliak as Morph. The ten episodes ran weekly from March 20 to May 15, 2024. It earned 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and won the Critics' Choice award for Best Animated Series.
Good to know
- It received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.
- The episode "Remember It" won the ACE Eddie Award for Best Edited Animated Series.
- It also won Astra, Dorian and Harvey awards, the Harvey for Best Adaptation from a Comic Book.
- Marvel let DeMayo go just before the premiere, though he kept his credits on the first two seasons.
Spoiler Spoilers for X-Men '97: Season 1: tap to reveal
- The Jean Grey living with Cyclops at the start of the season is really Madelyne Pryor, a clone made by Mister Sinister, while the real Jean has been held captive.
How to watch it
Ideally, watch X-Men: The Animated Series first, or at least its final season. Season 1 opens right after it and pays off older storylines. If you don't have time, the premiere explains enough to follow along. This season builds steadily, so watch it in order and don't skip the middle stretch. Any '90s fan should see it, and season 2 follows with the Apocalypse arc.
Where to watch X-Men '97: Season 1 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|
Where to watch X-Men '97: Season 1 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
X-Men '97: Season 1 FAQ
Do I need to watch X-Men: The Animated Series before X-Men '97?
It helps a lot, since X-Men '97 is a direct continuation set a year after the original finale. The first episode gives enough context for newcomers to keep up.
Why is Magneto leading the X-Men in X-Men '97?
Professor X's will names Magneto as his successor, which sets up the season's tension with Cyclops and the rest of the team.
Who voices Cyclops and Jean Grey in X-Men '97?
Ray Chase voices Cyclops and Jennifer Hale voices Jean Grey. Hale also voiced Jean in Wolverine and the X-Men.
Can you skip X-Men '97: Season 1?
Yes. It’s an Optional side story, and nothing major later depends on it.
How many episodes does X-Men '97: Season 1 have?
X-Men '97: Season 1 has 10 episodes, around 45 minutes each.
Where does X-Men '97: Season 1 fit in the MCU timeline?
It sits at #79 of 81 in our story order.
Does X-Men '97: Season 1 have a post-credit scene?
Yes, at least one episode has an extra scene after the credits. We don’t describe it here to avoid spoilers; see our post-credit scenes guide.