X-Men: First Class

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X-Men: First Class

PG-13

2011

2h 6m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

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

Jan 7, 2021

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]".

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Apr 2, 2019

3/5

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.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 8, 2017

B

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.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Sep 9, 2023

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

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jun 7, 2023

3.5/4

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

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Cory Woodroof

Lumination Network

Feb 11, 2022

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

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Fifty T

@RT01421419 4 days ago

After two great films and two merely decent ones, this is where X-Men finds its form again. Starting from scratch was a smart gamble, and it works because Charles and Erik are written as real friends, then cast with chemistry to match. You believe in the bond, which is what the whole saga hangs on. I also loved how quickly the new mutants arrive. Havok, Beast and Banshee get their powers and backstories without a minute wasted, and the Raven and Magneto dynamic pays off without a forced romance subplot. Moira finally gets a proper role too, and Raven's suit effects look sharp. Vaughn directs with confidence and the action landed well. My only gripes: Emma Frost's diamond suit looks clunky, and a few effects could have been better. Minor quibbles for a film this assured, and an easy 8/10 for me.

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Frans B

@FransB Oct 14, 2026

Superb as origin movie. Very well written and directed. Amazing cinematography and CGI - visually stunning, Azazel is the ultimate virtuoso in his art, real tough customer 😜 Good overall storytelling with all the Marvel magic woven in. Captivating and intriguing

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Humanitas C

@HumanitasCAT Sep 27, 2026

Fun. Good script/characters. Few awkward performance moments, but mostly solid.

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Jaime B

@Jimmy393 Sep 19, 2026

Michael Fassbender is the best magneto

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Guilherme M

@GuilhermeRT Sep 19, 2026

It's a amazing movie for X-Men. It's all you expect in a superhero movie and more. But couldn't finish it in one sitting.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 13, 2026

X-Men etc... = a *4.5* star Movie!

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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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