X-Men: First Class
Young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr unite a team of mutants against a nuclear-era threat, only to find their friendship torn apart by opposing visions of mutant survival.
Overview
A thrilling journey of friendship and betrayal unfolds as young mutants discover their powers.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- energetic
- witty
- stylish
- superhero marathon
- action movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an energetic and entertaining revival of the X-Men franchise, strengthened by its cast, character development, and stylish action despite some unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr are shown before becoming Professor X and Magneto, with the early X-Men assembled around them.
The mutant conflict unfolds against CIA operations, nuclear brinkmanship, and the Cold War.
Charles and Erik begin as close allies but divide over how mutants should confront humanity.
The film pairs 1960s settings and intelligence operations with stylized powers and large-scale action sequences.
Films like X-Men: First Class, and why
X-Men: Days of Future Past
superhero origin story combining Cold War stakes, character relationships, and large-scale action
The Avengers
ensemble superhero adventure centered on ideological conflict, mutant identity, and team formation
Captain America: The First Avenger
stylish period superhero film pairing espionage, political tension, and emergent superhuman powers
Movie Details
- Director
- Matthew Vaughn
- Release Date
- 2011-06-01
- Runtime
- 132 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (13901)
Cast
- James McAvoy
- Michael Fassbender
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Rose Byrne
- Kevin Bacon
- January Jones
- Nicholas Hoult
- Lucas Till
- Zoë Kravitz
- Caleb Landry Jones
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is X-Men: First Class about?
- Young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr unite a team of mutants against a nuclear-era threat, only to find their friendship torn apart by opposing visions of mutant survival.
- What is X-Men: First Class like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of X-Men: First Class as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is X-Men: First Class violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in X-Men: First Class as moderate.
- What did critics think of X-Men: First Class?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an energetic and entertaining revival of the X-Men franchise, strengthened by its cast, character development, and stylish action despite some unevenness.
- Which films are like X-Men: First Class?
- Films with a similar feel include X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Avengers, and Captain America: The First Avenger.
- How long is X-Men: First Class?
- X-Men: First Class runs 132 minutes.
- Where can I watch X-Men: First Class?
- In United States, X-Men: First Class streams on Disney Plus, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
