The X-Men, an uncanny group of individuals who not only fought against evil, but also discrimination and persecution. To this date, fans are waiting for a live-action reboot to introduce the mutant superhero team into the MCU, but it looks like they’ll have to wait a bit for that. However, with Deadpool & Wolverine slated to release soon, and X-Men ’97 continuing the retro animated show we all loved, it’s a great time to be a fan of the X-Men. You might see a lot of Marvel Legends action figures on this list, but the truth is that some of the best figures come from that line!
With that in mind, we thought you might want to decorate your shelves or desks with some X-Men action figures. With iconic characters like Wolverine, Magneto, and Cyclops among others, there’s a wide range of X-Men action figures to choose from. Don’t worry, though, we’ve showcased some of the best ones right here. So, put on that iconic intro music from the animated series and let’s get going!
Updated on April 24, 2024, by Vaspaan Dastoor: X-Men ’97 has been an omega level hit. Not only invoking nostalgia and fan service, the show has grown up with its original audience and showcases mature and deep writing and story beats. To celebrate this glorious comeback, we’ve updated this list with a few action figures from Marvel Legends’ X-Men ’97 line.
Marvel Legends X-Men ‘97 Cyclops
Rose tinted glasses
Cyclops fans can finally rejoice, as one of the biggest things X-Men ’97 has done is give Scott Summers his due respect. From using his optic blast to soften a landing, to his martial arts prowess, Cyclops is finally the character we know and love from the comics. The optic blast effect is a great touch too.
- Classic X-Men uniform.
- Optic blast effect looks great.
- Includes Cyclops’ signature two-finger hand action.
Scott Summers has been treated quite poorly in the X-Men movies and TV shows, but X-Men ’97 has finally given him the respect he deserves. The comics portray him as a Stoic and confident leader, able to hold his own against the most powerful foes. We can finally see sparks of that in this representation of Scott.
Marvel Legends X-Men ‘97 Gambit
Pick a card.
Gambit’s awesome team-up with Wolverine in X-Men ’97 was one of the biggest hype moments of the show. The smooth-talking Cajun is depicted here with some truly spectacular and dynamic accessories, including his trademark cards and staff. This one is arguably the stand-out figure from the line.
- Accessories look great, offering a lot of posing options.
- Iconic trench coat looks like it’s flowing.
- That gorgeous red hair.
Gambit is the rogue (hah!) of the X-Men roster. His dashing looks and silver tongue are only matched by his ability to make everything explode. The accessories on this figure are absolutely stunning, giving you plenty of posing options.
Retro Beast Marvel Legends Action Figure
Brain and brawn
Dr. Henry McCoy is sort of the Jekyll and Hyde of the X-Men roster. He has the brain and the brawn, both together. This action figure from Marvel Legends’ Retro line features Beast along with a lab coat and some beakers, as if he were in the midst of some scientific research – which he mostly was, when not pummeling Sentinels.
- Scientific equipment is a nice touch.
- Includes swappable head with an angry expression.
- Also includes his iconic glasses.
Beast is undoubtedly one of the most underrated members of the X-Men roster. Besides being a founding member, Hank is also the brains of the X-Men team. Whether there’s research or scientific method required, or just some brute force, Hank can handle both. This action figure perfectly balances both sides of Beast, the brawn as well as the brain.
Storm
A storm’s coming
Famous for being able to control the weather, cool hairstyles, and being played by Halle Berry, Storm is one of the most powerful mutants in the world. This Marvel Legends action figure depicts her in an iconic white suit and cape with wrist loops. While we’ve seen Storm with the mohawk in a number of comics and other mediums, we’ve never seen it paired with the animated series suit. This will be her look in the X-Men ’97 show.
- Based on Storm’s appearance in the upcoming X-Men ’97 show.
- The cape hangs down naturally.
- An alternate head with fully white eyes would have been great.
If Beast is the brain and brawn of the team, you could consider Storm to be the soul. Her moral compass is never compromised, and she always believes in people, no matter how far they’ve fallen. For someone who can control the destructive force of nature, Ororo Monroe has a calm and composed demeanor. A few more accessories like lightning or white eyes would have gone great with this action figure.
Magneto
Everything bends to his will
Another X-Men ’97 action figure, this one shows us the Magneto we all know and love, in his iconic red and purple suit, ripped bod, and classic helmet. Fans of X-Men will know that Magneto isn’t really a villain, but just goes about things in the wrong way. In fact, he eventually goes on to lead the X-Men for a while too.
- The shading around the eyes is a great touch for accuracy.
- The character’s classic colours.
- Helmet doesn’t come off and doesn’t include an alternate head.
Magneto is perhaps one of the most misunderstood characters in the Marvel universe. Where he is initially shown as a villain, the character is more layered than that. He does what he thinks is right in order to save mutant-kind from persecution. The dynamic between him and Charles Xavier is a very interesting one that has been explored in comics, the animated series, and in the live action movies as well. This action figure is a brilliant callback to the animated show avatar of the character.
Nightcrawler
BAMF!
Nightcrawler is one of the coolest members of the X-Men roster, not only for his teleportation ability, but also because he can pair it with expert-level acrobatics. With over 20 points of articulation, you’ll easily be able to capture his nimbleness as you pose this action figure.
- Highly articulated and posable.
- The tail acts as a unique point of articulation.
- Missing his iconic cutlass.
Nightcrawler doesn’t get the credit he deserves. The fact that he can teleport makes him one of the most versatile and powerful members of the team. He may be a bit shy, but there’s no denying that Nightcrawler is someone you want on your team if you need to get out of a sticky situation. Given Nightcrawler’s unique physiology, this action figure is sure to stand out from the crowd.
Mafex X-Force Wolverine
For when there’s dirty work to be done
You didn’t think this list wasn’t going to have figures of Wolverine, did you? Our first one, by Mafex, shows off Logan in his grey and black X-Force suit. While it’s not as recognizable and the yellow and blue, Wolverine has had some iconic team-ups while wearing this outfit, most notably with Deadpool.
- Features three replacement heads with different expressions.
- The X-Force suit isn’t as easily available as others.
- Torso is a bit oddly shaped from the back.
While Wolverine fights evil and saves mutant-kind in his traditional yellow and blue suit, the black and grey of the X-Force suit is for when there’s some unsavoury work to be done. It turns out even someone like Charles Xavier has a need for a squad that’s willing to do anything to win, and that’s the X-Force team. Boasting a roster of the likes of Deadpool, Domino, Cable and others, Wolverine fits right in with his unique set of skills and experience.
Marvel Legends Wolverine Vs. Hulk
First appearance.
This one’s a greatr collector’s item for any comic book fan, as it depicts the first appearance of “The” Wolverine, from the pages of The Incredible Hulk #180. The set includes both Hulk and Wolverine, who can be seen in his original costume, which admittedly looks a bit goofy for the current day. However, this set commemorates the debut of one of the most popular superheroes of all time.
- Recreates the first appearance of Wolverine in The Incredible Hulk #180.
- A great match-up of power and endurance.
- Features the retro costumes of both heroes.
Wolverine vs. The Hulk is a battle for the ages. The former is infinitely durable thanks to his adamantium skeleton and healing factor, while the other is a powerhouse of immeasurable strength. The two have faced off a many times in the past, with victory going either way. This set is a great collectible for any fan of superheroes, not just Wolverine or X-Men.
Marvel Legends Colossus Vs. Juggernaut
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object
Another two-pack by Marvel Legends, this one includes two of the heaviest hitters from the X-Men universe. Of course, Colossus is known to be the resident tank of the X-Men team, with the mutant ability to cover his skin in metal. Meanwhile Juggernaut’s powers are magical, powered by the gem of Cyttorak, which makes him physically unstoppable when he gains momentum.
- The set features two of the heaviest hitters in the X-Men universe.
- Colossus’ metallic skin and Juggernaut’s massive size are both eye catching.
- Juggernaut’s busted helmet accessory is a nice touch for dynamic posing.
Much like the previous two-pack, this one also features two rivals who’ve faced off a couple of times. Considering the fact that Juggernaut cannot be physically stopped, the X-Men have little choice but to answer him with their own tank, Colossus. While he may not be as powerful as the villain, he’s one of the few who can get back up after taking a hit from the Juggernaut. Let’s face it, there are few things cooler than two tanks going up against each other.
Marvel Legends Apocalypse
Age of Apocalypse
For those of us that watched the X-Men animated show in the ’90s, the Apocalypse saga was the biggest crossover event of all time. Almost the entire cast of good guys and bad guys showed up during the event. That being said, this Marvel Legends action figure perfectly captures the first mutant’s menacing aura and look from the show, including his ability to morph his body into weapons of all kinds.
- Perfectly captures his look from the animated show.
- Includes quite a few accessories.
- Blast effects and plasma laser are well made.
Apocalypse was not only the first mutant, but perhaps the biggest threat that the X-Men ever faced. His vision of wiping out humanity and establishing a mutant rule under him was something that many of the other villains could get onboard with, making him all the more dangerous. Add to that the gifts he bestowed upon the four Heralds of Apocalypse, making them more powerful than ever.
FAQ
Which company makes the best X-Men action figures?
Hasbro’s Marvel Legends series has some of the best and most affordable action figures of X-Men, Avengers, or any other Marvel characters thanks to it’s official collaboration with the brand. What’s more, the line constantly puts out new versions and iconic avatars of these heroes, most recently the X-Men ’97 series.
Which is the most popular Marvel hero?
Spider-Man and Wolverine have been popular for decades, but since the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, heroes like Iron Man and Captain America have significantly grown in popularity.
Best Marvel Legends Action Figures In 2024
The Marvel Legends line by Hasbro features incredibly detailed action figures at affordable prices. Here are some of the best ones.
