20th Century Fox’s original X-Men trilogy introduced many powerful X-Men members from Marvel Comics, but some were stronger than others.

Long before the MCU began teasing the introduction of the X-Men, 20th Century Fox’s original X-Men trilogy debuted some of Marvel Comics’ most powerful mutant characters into live-action. Fox’s X-Men franchise kicked off with 2000’s X-Men, which was followed by 2003’s X2 and 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, with the original trilogy releasing before Fox revised the X-Men franchise’s timeline in 2011’s X-Men: First Class. Fox’s X-Men franchise was the first majorly successful live-action superhero franchise, and while Marvel Studios will reinvent the X-Men team for the MCU, 20th Century Fox’s depiction of these superheroes will be tough to beat.

2000’s X-Men kick-started 20th Century Fox’s franchise by introducing a small but powerful team of adult X-Men, as well as several child mutants living and studying at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Some of these children grew up over the course of Fox’s original X-Men trilogy, eventually joining the X-Men team themselves and becoming almost as powerful as their older mentors. The X-Men evolved over the course of the original X-Men trilogy, and these three projects provided some excellent opportunities for these heroes to show off their remarkable abilities, though some of these mutant heroes were far stronger than others.

10. Scott Summers, A.K.A. Cyclops

James Marsden Played Cyclops In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Even though James Marsden’s Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, was a core member of the original X-Men team, he never really got the justice he deserved in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy. Marsden’s Cyclops is widely regarded to be one of the most wasted heroes in Fox’s franchise, and, unfortunately, was depicted as one of the weakest members of the X-Men team. Cyclops’ laser eyes got him out of several tough situations, but Fox’s neglect of the iconic Marvel Comics hero did him a great disservice.

What Was Cyclops’ Strongest Display Of Power?

Back in 2000’s X-Men, Cyclops delivered his strongest display of power in Fox’s franchise. X2 mostly focused on Cyclops as a mind-controlled drone, and X-Men: The Last Stand killed him off very quickly, contributing to the franchise’s neglect of the hero. X-Men’s ending saw the X-Men trying to thwart Magneto’s plan, and Cyclops used his lasers to blast Magneto away, allowing Wolverine to destroy his machine.

9. John Allerdyce, A.K.A. Pyro

Aaron Stanford Played Pyro In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Portrayed by Alexander Burton in X-Men, Aaron Stanford debuted as John Allerdyce’s Pyro in X2, and continued to portray the pyrokinetic mutant in X-Men: The Last Stand. While Pyro eventually went on to become a villain, and a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants, he grew up among the heroes of Xavier’s mansion, and briefly fought alongside X-Men members in X2. Aaron Stanford is set to return as Pyro in the MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine, so he could show off his fire-based abilities even further.

What Was Pyro’s Strongest Display Of Power?

X2 provided John Allerdyce’s most impressive display of power as Pyro, as he, Wolverine, Rogue, and Bobby Drake escape from the X-Mansion to meet Iceman’s parents in Boston. Pyro’s villainous tendencies present themselves during this sequence, as he uses his pyrokinetic abilities to destroy a fleet of police cars. This was an epic display of his power, and marked Pyro’s transition from hero to villain.

8. Bobby Drake, A.K.A. Iceman

Shawn Ashmore Played Iceman In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

The perfect antithesis to Pyro in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy is Bobby Drake’s Iceman, portrayed by Shawn Ashmore throughout the trilogy. Bobby Drake grew from strength to strength over the duration of the original trilogy, learning how to control and harness his ice-based skills even stronger than simply making a ball out of ice. Iceman is one of the children who grew up to become a member of the X-Men in The Last Stand, and became a pivotal member in Fox’s later projects.

What Was Iceman’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Bobby Drake’s most impressive display of power in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy was delivered in X-Men: The Last Stand. This project saw Iceman finally harness the full force of his ability, transforming his entire body into ice during the final fight against Magneto and the Brotherhood of Mutants. This ability was repeated in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but Marvel Studios could make Iceman even more powerful.

7. Hank McCoy, A.K.A. Beast

Kelsey Grammar Played Beast In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Hank McCoy appeared on TV in X2, but made his first full appearance in X-Men: The Last Stand, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer. McCoy’s mutant abilities as Beast gifted him enhanced strength and agility, yet his genius-level intellect made him the perfect liaison between mutantkind and the United States government. Beast officially joined the X-Men in The Last Stand, fighting against Magneto and Jean Grey’s Phoenix, and Beast is eventually appointed an ambassador to the United Nations, advancing mutant civil rights massively.

Kelsey Grammer reprised his role of Hank McCoy’s Beast in the post-credits scene of The Marvels.

What Was Beast’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Beast’s abilities were arguably better displayed through Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of the hero in Fox’s revised X-Men timeline. Nevertheless, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast still managed to get some licks in during The Last Stand’s epic final battle. Beast’s incredible agility makes him a huge asset during the battle against Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants, and his longevity means he’s still in the prime of life, despite being over 70 years old.

6. Kurt Wagner, A.K.A. Nightcrawler

Alan Cumming Played Nightcrawler In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

While Alan Cumming only appeared as Kurt Wagner’s Nightcrawler in 2003’s X2, he was still displayed as a very powerful, short-lived member of the X-Men team. Nightcrawler’s teleportation ability, including being able to teleport others along with him, proves crucial to helping the X-Men in the battle against William Stryker. However, it’s Nightcrawler’s entrance in X2 that made the biggest impact for the underused original X-Men trilogy hero, though Nightcrawler saw more action in the revised timeline.

What Was Nightcrawler’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Nightcrawler’s entrance in X2 featured him teleporting throughout the guarded halls of the White House in an effort to attack the President of the United States. In hopes of inciting more focus on mutant civil rights, Nightcrawler manages to get to the President, but is eventually shot and retreats. This action, however, proved his dedication to his cause, and his quick-thinking and fast reflexes provided an epic opening sequence for the 2003 sequel.

5. Ororo Monroe, A.K.A. Storm

Halle Berry Played Storm In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Despite being one of Marvel Comics’ most powerful and significant superheroes, Ororo Munroe’s Storm never really got the attention she deserved in Fox’s X-Men franchise. Nevertheless, Halle Berry did a brilliant job at bringing the hero to life, and had the chance to show off atomkinetic abilities, enabling her to control all manner of weather. Storm was central to the X-Men team throughout Fox’s original X-Men trilogy, but needs to be given much more focus in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot.

What Was Storm’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Storm is a force to be reckoned with in Fox’s X-Men franchise, and showed off these fantastic abilities several times. While Storm frying Toad in X-Men was cringeworthy, Storm being able to throw Wolverine up to Magneto’s machine in X-Men, create tornadoes while flying the X-Jet in X2, and fight against the Brotherhood of Mutants in The Last Stand contributed to some of her most impressive displays of power.

4. James “Logan” Howlett, A.K.A. Wolverine

Hugh Jackman Played Wolverine In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Wolverine was, by far, the most focused-on hero throughout Fox’s X-Men franchise, particularly since his elongated lifespan allowed him to live through the various timelines of the franchise. The clawed mutant had his skeleton laced with adamantium in the 1980s, making him even more powerful. Following his upcoming appearance in Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman will become the longest-running actor in any live-action Marvel media, having played Wolverine since 2000’s X-Men.

What Was Wolverine’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Most of Wolverine’s most impressive displays of power came during Fox’s later X-Men projects, but he also showed off his powerful abilities plenty of times in the original trilogy. Perhaps most notably, Wolverine was the only member of the X-Men strong enough to withstand the Phoenix’s attack in X-Men: The Last Stand, and he summoned the strength to kill Jean Grey and end her assault. This was a heartbreaking moment, but proved Wolverine’s strength better than most.

3. Erik Lehnsherr, A.K.A. Magneto

Ian McKellen Played Magneto In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

Indeed, Magneto was often seen as the archenemy to Fox’s X-Men team, but he briefly sided with them in X2 to bring down Stryker. Magneto was later seen as a bona fide member of the team in the revised timeline, but Ian McKellen’s portrayal of the iconic Marvel Comics villain-turned-antihero demonstrated some of his most incredible feats of magnetism. Magneto’s long-lasting and tumultuous friendship with Professor X was also incredible to watch, and must be repeated in the MCU.

What Was Magneto’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Magneto had many opportunities to show off his magnetic powers in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy. Perhaps his most impressive, however, was delivered in X-Men: The Last Stand, which saw Magneto lift the Golden Gate Bridge to enable the Brotherhood of Mutants to attack the X-Men and Leech, a mutant with the power to cure others’ powers. Magneto put his magnetism on full display at this moment, though was “cured” shortly after.

2. Jean Grey, A.K.A. Phoenix

Famke Janssen Played Jean Grey In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

One of the strongest and most dangerous X-Men members in history is Jean Grey, portrayed by Famke Janssen in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy, before Sophie Turner took over in the revised timeline. Jean Grey’s telepathic abilities rival those of Professor X, though her abilities weren’t truly unlocked until X-Men: The Last Stand. The unstable Phoenix makes Jean one of the most unpredictable mutants, yet Fox failed to adapt Marvel Comics’ Dark Phoenix Saga properly, twice.

What Was Jean Grey’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Jean Grey used her abilities much more subtly in X-Men and X2, though she was able to hold Cyclops’ visor in place while he used his power in X-Men, and allowed the X-Jet to fly away from Alkali Lake safely in X2. X-Men: The Last Stand showed the full range of her Phoenix abilities, however. This saw her destroy Professor X’s physical body, and assault a huge number of mutants in the film’s final battle.

1. Charles Xavier, A.K.A. Professor X

Patrick Stewart Played Professor X In X-Men’s Original Trilogy

While Jean Grey comes close, Charles Xavier’s Professor X is truly the most powerful X-Men member in Fox’s original trilogy. As an Omega level mutant, the true range of Professor X’s abilities are unclear, but his telepathy is stronger than practically every other telepath, and he is considered to be one of the strongest mutants in existence. Despite being killed by the Phoenix, Professor X was still able to return, with his abilities presenting a massive asset to the X-Men, but also posing a huge danger to mutantkind as a whole.

What Was Professor X’s Strongest Display Of Power?

Patrick Stewart’s Professor X fought back the Phoenix’s power and transferred his consciousness into a new body in The Last Stand. However, Professor X’s most impressive display of power was delivered prior to 2017’s Logan, as he lost control during a seizure, and killed hundreds of civilians, including many X-Men, proving just how volatile Professor X’s power could be.