The announcement of Avengers: Doomsday, set to release on December 18, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fanbase, particularly with the confirmation that seven iconic X-Men from Fox’s original franchise will join the fight against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. With the Multiverse Saga bringing together heroes from the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and now the X-Men, the inclusion of mutants like Professor X, Magneto, Cyclops, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Beast, and Gambit marks a historic crossover. As the MCU prepares to face a new cosmic threat, it’s worth revisiting the Infinity Saga’s greatest villain, Thanos, and imagining how these X-Men would have fared against the Mad Titan in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Thanos, with his brute strength, strategic brilliance, and eventual mastery of the Infinity Gauntlet, was a formidable foe who decimated half of all life with a single snap. Below, we rank the seven confirmed Avengers: Doomsday X-Men by their potential usefulness against Thanos, based on their powers, skills, and combat history.

7. Mystique

Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, the shape-shifting mutant from the original X-Men trilogy (2000–2006), brings unparalleled stealth and deception to the table. Her ability to mimic anyone’s appearance and voice makes her a master of espionage, as seen when she infiltrated high-security facilities in X2: X-Men United. Against Thanos, Mystique could theoretically impersonate a member of his Black Order, such as Proxima Midnight or even Nebula, to sow confusion or steal the Infinity Gauntlet. However, her physical combat skills, while impressive, pale against Thanos’s raw power, which allowed him to overpower Hulk without using the Infinity Stones. Thanos’s keen perception, demonstrated when he saw through Nebula’s time-displaced duplicate in Endgame, suggests he’d quickly detect Mystique’s ruse. Her lack of offensive capabilities and vulnerability in direct confrontations place her at the bottom, useful primarily for covert operations that might briefly delay Thanos’s plans but not stop him.

6. Beast

Kelsey Grammer’s Beast, introduced to the MCU in The Marvels (2023) post-credits scene, combines superhuman strength, agility, and genius-level intellect. As Hank McCoy, Beast’s scientific prowess rivals Tony Stark’s, making him a potential asset in strategizing against Thanos’s forces. In X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), he showcased acrobatic combat skills and strength, capable of taking down multiple opponents. Against Thanos, Beast could contribute to the Avengers’ time-travel heist in Endgame, refining the quantum mechanics alongside Stark and Bruce Banner. However, his physical strength, while formidable, falls short of Hulk’s, who was handily defeated by Thanos in Infinity War. Beast’s reluctance to embrace his mutant powers, as seen in his attempts to suppress them in X-Men: First Class, might also limit his combat effectiveness. His intelligence makes him valuable for planning, but in a direct fight, he’d struggle against Thanos’s overwhelming might.

5. Nightcrawler

Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler, known for his teleportation and swashbuckling flair in X2, could bring a unique edge to the battlefield. His ability to teleport rapidly, often with passengers, allows for hit-and-run tactics, as demonstrated in his iconic White House infiltration scene. Armed with his comic-accurate swords, Nightcrawler could harass Thanos, striking from unpredictable angles before teleporting out of reach. His speed and reflexes surpass those of Doctor Strange’s portals, offering a tactical advantage in chaotic battles like the Titan clash in Infinity War. However, Nightcrawler’s physical durability is limited, and Thanos’s resilience—withstanding blows from Thor and Captain Marvel—suggests he could endure Nightcrawler’s attacks long enough to counter. Without the Infinity Stones, Nightcrawler might keep Thanos off-balance temporarily, but he lacks the raw power to deliver a decisive blow, placing him mid-tier.

4. Cyclops

James Marsden’s Cyclops, the optic-blasting leader of the X-Men, has the potential to deal significant damage. His concussive energy beams, capable of leveling buildings as seen in X-Men (2000), offer a long-range offensive capability that could challenge Thanos’s army. In Infinity War, Cyclops’s precision and power might have disrupted Thanos’s Outriders or even targeted the Mad Titan himself, forcing him to rely on the Space or Power Stone to deflect the beams. Unlike Havok, whose similar energy-based powers in X-Men: First Class were less controlled, Cyclops’s disciplined aim could exploit gaps in Thanos’s defenses. However, his human-level durability leaves him vulnerable to Thanos’s physical strength or the Reality Stone’s manipulations, as seen with Gamora’s fake-out death on Knowhere. Cyclops’s leadership and firepower make him a strong asset, but his lack of defensive powers limits his impact against a fully equipped Thanos.

3. Gambit

Channing Tatum’s Gambit, a breakout star in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), wields kinetic energy manipulation, charging objects like playing cards or his bo staff to create explosive attacks. His combat prowess, showcased in the Void battle against Cassandra Nova’s forces, combines agility, strategy, and devastating power. In X-Men ’97, Gambit’s self-sacrificial explosion against a Sentinel hints at his potential to unleash massive energy blasts, which could rival Iron Man’s repulsors in Endgame. Against Thanos, Gambit’s ability to turn debris into explosives could disrupt the battlefield, targeting Thanos’s armor or the Gauntlet itself. His willingness to take lethal risks, as seen in his animated sacrifice, suggests he’d go all-in, potentially matching Scarlet Witch’s near-fatal assault on Thanos in Endgame. However, Gambit’s reliance on physical objects and his lack of superhuman durability place him just below the top tier, as Thanos’s resilience could outlast his onslaught.

2. Magneto

Ian McKellen’s Magneto, the Omega-level mutant master of magnetism, is a powerhouse whose abilities could shift the tide against Thanos. In X-Men and X2, Magneto manipulated entire metal structures, from trains to the Golden Gate Bridge, with ease. Against Thanos, he could wield the metallic environment of Titan or Wakanda—tanks, ships, or even Thanos’s double-edged sword—turning them into weapons. His ability to alter Earth’s magnetic fields, as teased in X-Men ’97, suggests he could disrupt Thanos’s ships or pin the Titan in place. While Thanos’s non-metallic physiology limits direct attacks, Magneto’s strategic mind and raw power rival Doctor Strange’s, making him a formidable foe. Even with the Infinity Stones, Thanos would struggle against Magneto’s relentless assaults, though his age in Doomsday (set in 2026) might temper his endurance, placing him just shy of the top spot.

1. Professor X

Patrick Stewart’s Professor X tops the list as the X-Men’s most potent weapon against Thanos. His telepathic abilities, capable of controlling minds and freezing entire crowds as seen in X2 and X-Men: Days of Future Past, could target Thanos’s psyche directly. In Endgame, Thanos’s strategic brilliance outmaneuvered the Avengers, but Professor X could infiltrate his mind, sowing doubt or forcing him to hesitate, much like Wanda’s chaos magic overwhelmed him in Endgame. While Thanos’s willpower, bolstered by the Mind Stone, might resist direct control, Professor X’s ability to manipulate allies like the Black Order or even turn Thanos’s army against him could cripple his campaign. His older age in Doomsday doesn’t diminish his mental prowess, and his leadership could unify the Avengers and X-Men, making him the ultimate game-changer. Against a non-Infinity Stone Thanos, Professor X’s telepathy could neutralize the Titan entirely, securing his place as the most useful X-Men against the Mad Titan.

Conclusion

The integration of these seven X-Men into Avengers: Doomsday signals a monumental clash, with their diverse powers poised to challenge Doctor Doom. Reflecting on their potential against Thanos, Professor X and Magneto stand out as near-cosmic forces, capable of altering the battlefield’s dynamics, while Gambit and Cyclops offer offensive firepower. Nightcrawler and Beast provide tactical and intellectual support, and Mystique’s stealth adds a covert edge. Together, they could have tipped the scales in Infinity War or Endgame, potentially preventing the Snap or accelerating the Avengers’ victory. As Doomsday looms, their combined might against Doom promises an epic showdown, proving the X-Men’s worth in the MCU’s multiversal arena.