Despite being the most critically acclaimed movie in the franchise, Marvel movie – it was a bold, R-rated farewell to Hugh Jackman’s iconic portrayal of Wolverine. However, while it became a critical and fan favorite, its box office performance was impressive but not quite enough to claim the top spot among X-Men films.

The X-Men film franchise has been one of the longest-running and most influential in modern superhero cinema, starting with X-Men (2000) and continuing through various sequels, spin-offs, and reboots. One of the franchise's biggest changes came when Fox leaned into R-rated territory with Deadpool (2016), proving that adult-focused superhero movies could be massively successful. This continued with Logan, which traded CGI spectacle for a mature, emotionally-driven story. However, despite its critical acclaim and cultural impact, Logan still didn’t earn the highest box office total in the X-Men series.

Logan Is One Of The Most Highly Regarded Superhero Movies Of All Time (& With Good Reason)

Logan stands as a unique entry in the superhero genre, often compared to classic westerns like Shane rather than typical comic book blockbusters. Directed by James Mangold, the film tells the story of an aging and weakened Logan in the near future, protecting a young mutant, Laura (Dafne Keen), while grappling with his own mortality. Unlike previous X-Men films, Logan focused less on world-ending threats and more on character-driven storytelling.

Hugh Jackman’s performance was widely praised, with many considering it his best portrayal of Wolverine. Patrick Stewart’s heartbreaking turn as an ailing Charles Xavier added even more depth, making Logan feel like an emotionally charged swan song for both characters. The film won numerous awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – an unheard-of achievement for a superhero movie at the time.

Logan's Box Office Is Still Beaten By Every Deadpool Movie & X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Despite all this praise, box office success doesn’t always align with critical reception. While Logan made a strong $619 million worldwide, it was still outperformed by four other X-Men movies – each of which had different factors working in their favor. According to The Numbers, Logan was outperformed by each of the Deadpool movies and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The first three entries aren’t shocking. Deadpool and its sequels were massive box office hits, thanks to their mix of R-rated humor, action, and Ryan Reynolds’ pitch-perfect performance as the Merc with a Mouth. The success of Deadpool proved that R-rated superhero movies could be financially viable, paving the way for Logan to receive similar treatment. The culmination of both of these was the crossover event Deadpool & Wolverine, which proffered a more colorful and lighthearted celebration of Jackman’s Wolverine and the early Marvel movies.

The most surprising entry is X-Men: Days of Future Past, which earned $746 million. Unlike Logan, this film was a massive, time-traveling spectacle that united the original X-Men cast with their younger counterparts from X-Men: First Class. The movie had huge stakes, a beloved ensemble cast, and significant franchise momentum, making it the highest-grossing ensemble X-Men movie.

Why Logan's Box Office Is Lower Than These 4 X-Men Movies

There are numerous factors as to why Logan was outmatched by other X-Men movies. One major factor was the R-rating, which was still a rare occurrence in the superhero genre. While Deadpool thrived with an R-rating, Logan had a much darker, less comedic tone, making it less accessible to a broad audience and precluding younger viewers often associated with Marvel movies.

Deadpool, of course, demonstrated precisely how to do an R-rated superhero movie in a more dynamic and bombastic fashion while still embracing superhero roots. Logan had a degree of separation from the comics to be “realistic.” This again limited its potential appeal – at least compared to Deadpool. While Logan was great, the response Deadpool & Wolverine got upon release (particularly regarding Wolverine’s comic-accurate costume) suggests that audiences were waiting for the violent and canary-colored Wolverine all along.

The roaring triumph of the Deadpool movies is another factor in Logan’s comparative box office performance. Deadpool’s glorious reception drove many into the theaters for the sequel, despite the movie receiving a more neutral critical response. While the third entry rode this reputation and on the coattails of Logan to promise a combination of these distinct tones.

Another factor could have been the standalone nature of Logan. X-Men: Days of Future Past benefited from continuing two separate fractions of the franchise, drawing in audiences from both. Despite not claiming the top spot, Logan remains one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed X-Men films. Its impact on the superhero genre, particularly in proving that mature, character-driven comic book movies could succeed, is undeniable. While it may not have been the highest-grossing X-Men film, Logan’s legacy far outweighs its box office numbers.

Source: The Numbers

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