X-Men ‘97has taken the world and pop-culture space by storm over the last few weeks with its absolutely astounding reviewsboth critically and from the Marvel fan base. From the moment the series was announced on Disney+ Day 2021, and it was revealed the series wouldcontinue the plot of the iconicX-Men: The Animated Series, fans were both anxious and over the moon about what could come of this series.
Thankfully, when episode one aired on July 26, 2025, it was confirmed that Marvel had struck gold, and as episodes continued to air,some have even claimed this is the best piece of content Marvel has put out in years.With the series soon coming to a close, fans are most likely clamoring for more content like this iconic series. Thankfully,the television medium has a slew of shows that fans ofX-Men ‘97would adore and can get their fixwhile they wait for whatever comes next for the newborn Marvel series.
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10’Fantastic Four’ (1994)
2 Seasons - 26 Episodes
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is not the first onscreen connected superhero universe.Marvel had an animated television universe and one of the eight shows within the universe featureda Marvel team that fans have been clamoring for in the MCU for quite some time;Marvel’s first family, theFantastic Four. Fans got to watch two whole seasons of some great Sci-Fi superhero stories that can only be found with this astounding family of heroes.
One of the best parts of the Marvel Animated Universe is just how interconnected they are, with characters guest starring in each other’s shows all the time.Fantastic Fourwas one of a kind in the fact thatthe series got to put the cosmic side of the Marvel universe on display, featuring appearances from characters like the Silver Surfer, Ego the Living Planet, Thor, the Inhumans, Super-Skrull and even Nova.The series showed off a side of the Marvel universe that fans couldn’t find anywhere but the comics at the time and did a great job making the world of the Marvel Animated Universe feel much larger. It’s a great addition to the universe and provides some wonderful stories, such asDoctor Doom stealing the Power Cosmic from the Silver Surfer and facing off with the planet eater Galactus himself.
9Iron Man (1994)
Before Iron Man became a household name with the MCU’sIron Man, the armored hero blew viewers away on television in his very own animated series, which was part of the Marvel Animated Universe. While the series can be praised for featuring the likes of fan-favorite characters like War Machine or M.O.D.O.K.,the series is truly special because it takes the risk offeaturing an Iron Man that audiences today are not familiar with.
While the character’s personality was the same,the series decided to give Tony Stark a “body battery”, in which he would consistently have to change a battery in his right peck to keep himself alive.This was a similar concept to an idea in the comics that added a lot of thrilling conflict to the stories presented. It gives fans of Marvel and Iron Man a fresh take on the character that is not only different from what can be found in modern media, butit enhanced the stories presented and made the episodes very exciting.
8The Umbrella Academy (2019)
3 Seasons - 30 Episodes
The teams over at Netflix made 2019 a great year with the debut of one of their most popular shows to date:The Umbrella Academy.The series got a lot of positive comparisons to the X-Men,being a series about a team of superhumans living in a mansion together and learning to be a family.Some even called the show the “best live-action adaption of the X-Men” in a joking way.
The Umbrella Academyis quirky and fun in all the best ways, which many people appreciate the characters of X-Men for.They’re fun while also being avatars for incredibly deep themes and plotsthat truly mean something, just like the X-Men stories are most famous for, especiallyX-Men ‘97.Viewers who enjoy the wayX-Men ‘97balances fun and emotional themes will findThe Umbrella Academyto be a joyous watchthat can also make them sob.
The Umbrella Academy
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7’Justice League’ (2001)
2 Seasons - 52 Episodes
While they may not share many similarities with the X-Men characters,the members of DC’s main superhero team also happen to have ahighly rated and exceptionally written animated series.What’s madeX-Men ‘97so groundbreaking is its insane quality andJustice Leagueis one of the original animated superhero series to be received as such.It’s a legendary series that has helped define animated superhero stories to this day.
Not only doesJustice Leagueshow off spectacular animated action likeX-Men ‘97, but it also tells deep and meaningful stories. Both shows don’t just put on action that’s entertaining for 30 minutes like others,they take the time to put effort into telling compelling stories that are significant.
Justice League
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6’Young Justice’ (2010)
4 Seasons - 98 Episodes
Writing a story surrounding a large cast of characters and making sure all the protagonists get equal attention and development is not a simple task.BeforeX-Men ‘97became a pinnacle of good multiple-protagonist writing,Young Justicewas one of the top dogs. Bringing together the young sidekicks of DC’s prime heroes to form a team to do some good was a premise that drew in viewers from across the world andled them to fall in love with the expertly written-team.
The charming cast of young heroes that make up theYoung Justicecast, especially as the show continues, and the team grows, are the best part of the showand keeps the show engaging. Just as fans have fallen in love or had their love rekindled for the X-Men as of late, the love people have for Robin, Kid Flash, Artemis, Miss Martian, Kaldur and Superboy has yet to die.
Young Justice
5’Teen Titans’ (2003)
5 Seasons - 65 Episodes
One of the most popular animated superhero shows is none other thanTeen Titans, another series about a team of heroes trying every day to change the world for the better. But what madeTeen Titansunique compared to other superhero series was the inspiration it took from anime.This gifted it with beautiful animation and made it another series thatmasterfully balanced its tone between campiness and serious storytelling.
In almost every episode, the Titans went from making fun expressions full of goof to dealing with serious issues,like the time Cyborg related to Starfire about being judged based on how they looked.The characters in X-Men are allegories of societal ostracism, so they’re no stranger to telling stories with some serious themes. Also,one of the biggest factors that make the X-Men so lovable is the fact that they’re a family and there’s no DC Comics family like the Titans.For those looking for a team as close and loving as the X-Men, they’ll find the Titans just as enjoyable.
Teen Titans
4’Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ (2010)
The X-Men aren’t the only Marvel team with an astounding animated series that (still) deserves a return. The most popular superhero team from the Marvel universe, the Avengers, graced the world with one of the best Marvel animated shows of all time in 2010.Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, likeX-Men ‘97,does a great job at telling expertly written stories and incorporating the greater Marvel universe without it feeling unnecessary or forced.
The Captain America and Spider-Man cameos found inX-Men ‘97were praised formaking the plot more interesting rather than feeling forced or inessential.Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroesdoes the exact same thing throughout its 2 season runtime. Incorporating dozens of heroes and villains from across the Marvel landscape,like Spider-Man, Wolverine, The Fantastic Four, Winter Soldier, the various people of Asgardand so many more. But each and every appearancemakes sense for the story and amplifies them to a better angle.Fans continue to hopeAvengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroeswill get a return like the X-Men have.
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
3’Wolverine and the X-Men’ (2009)
1 Season - 26 Episodes
X-Men: The Animated Seriesisn’t the only time the X-Men had an incredible show stolen from them, but unfortunately forWolverine and the X-Men, it was far more short-lived thanX-Men: The Animated Serieswas. Only surviving for one season,Wolverine and the X-Menmanaged to give a great series to fans with a different premise than the X-Men adaptions from before.This time,fan favorite Wolverinetakes center stage as the leader of the X-Men, a new type of role for the character, who typically is mostly a loose canon.
Fans also regard the series with praise for itsincredible characterization of underrated characters like Emma Frost,giving them a spotlight in front of audiences they hadn’t had before. Many fans online loved the direction so much that many noted this as beinga potentially great way to incorporate X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,especially given thatMCU head honchoKevin Fiegewas an executive producer.
2’Spider-Man: The Animated Series’ (1994)
The most popular show in the Marvel Animated Universe is easilySpider-Man: The Animated Series. Beloved by Marvel fans everywhere for its incredible adaption of the Spider-Man mythos, there are not many negative things to say aboutSpider-Man: The Animated Series. Whether it be theastounding performances from the large cast of characters, great animation or wonderful storytelling,Spider-Man: The Animated Seriesmay very well be one of the best Marvel series of all time.
X-Men ‘97Season 1, Episode 8, “Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1"is not the first time this version of the web-slinger has crossed over with the X-Men either, as he got to team up with them and countless other Marvel heroes across his lengthy five-season run. The character is so beloved thathis short appearance inX-Men ‘97has sparked a major outcry for a revival of the series, just asX-Men ‘97received,as the series ended on quite a cliffhanger before being canceled at the end of season five.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series
1’X-Men: The Animated Series’ (1992)
5 Seasons - 76 Episodes
Obviously, the series most similar toX-Men ‘97would be the series that happens to be a continuation of:X-Men: The Animated Series. Much likeSpider-Man: The Animated Series,this X-Men show was so belovedthat it is highly regarded as gone too soon, even with a long run of 5 seasons.Popular enough to warrant a long-awaited revival, which is no exaggeration, as fans had been waiting a long 27 years before they were gifted withX-Men ‘97.
To this very day,X-Men: The Animated Serieswas telling stories unlike any other superhero media.Dealing with topics like discrimination and societal change.The series truly made an impact on the viewers who watched it upon airing and continue to watch it to this day. While it could be praised for many reasons, the other superhero series likeX-Men ‘97have been,X-Men: The Animated Seriesis most popular for telling stories that truly matter and mean something more than most.
A group of mutants endowed with unique powers forms a school and team to train others like them and to defend humanity from both human and mutant threats. The series combines action-packed sequences with stories of unity, discrimination, and the ethics of power as they strive to foster peace between mutants and humans.
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