X-Men Trilogy (2000-2006)

Bryan Singer was still best known for his Oscar-winning crime drama The Usual Suspects when he came onboard the first-ever live-action adventure for the Marvel mutants. With a then-unknown Hugh Jackman in the pivotal role of the mysterious Wolverine, the film introduced audiences to an impressive ensemble cast — most notably, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen — and a world wherein human evolution has led to the rise of another species entirely. Singer stayed on for the even better sequel, X2: X-Men United, a title which remains one of the best superhero sequels ever made. Even Brett Ratner’s much-derided X-Men: The Last Stand brings some fun action sequences and memorable performances (such as Kelsey Grammer’s Beast), though the film itself is such a missed opportunity. The fact that Fox’s X-Men franchise is still running strong 16 years after its debut is a testament to the original trilogy’s success.