X-Men: First Class

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2:44

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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Jaime B

@Jimmy393 1 day ago

Michael Fassbender is the best magneto

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Guilherme M

@GuilhermeRT 1 day ago

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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stephenpaul C

@ash20261234567890 Sep 13, 2026

The worldwide gross is $352,616,690.00.

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Jonathan L

@RT94294151 Sep 7, 2026

Matthew Vaughn brings great retro-spy style to the franchise, using the Cuban Missile Crisis as a genuinely exciting historical backdrop. The core dynamic between Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy carries the entire emotional weight of the film, supported well by Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult. The wider mutant lineup feels largely disposable by comparison, and the film ultimately works far better as a solo Magneto origin than a balanced ensemble piece, but it remains a visually striking and engaging reset.

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Paul L

@HonestReview12740 Sep 2, 2026

A prequel with fresh actors did not disappoint. The friendship of the professor and Magneto was amazing.

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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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