Big News for X-Men Fans: The Animated Revival Gets a Season 3 Greenlight – But Season 2 Won’t Arrive Until 2026!
The excitement was palpable at New York Comic Con as Marvel dropped a major announcement: X-Men ’97, the wildly popular animated revival, has officially been renewed for a third season! But here’s the catch – fans will have to wait until summer 2026 for Season 2, which promises to dive even deeper into the time-scattered chaos left by the Season 1 finale.
A sneak peek trailer shown exclusively to Comic Con attendees teased the return of the iconic villain Apocalypse and revealed that our favorite mutants are now scattered across different eras. Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Nightcrawler, and others are lost in time—some stranded in ancient Egypt, others trapped in the distant future—and must find their way back to the 1990s. (And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to see Wolverine navigating the pyramids?)
A Nostalgic Triumph with a Fresh Twist
Debuting on Disney+ in March 2024, X-Men ’97 brilliantly continued the legacy of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series from the ’90s, wrapping up its 10-episode first season in May to rave reviews. The show picks up right where the original series left off in 1997, with the X-Men still struggling against a world that fears and hates them. The team is grappling with the apparent death of Professor X—until a shocking twist reveals he’s actually alive, living among the alien Shi’ar empire.
But here’s where things get messy: Magneto, the X-Men’s longtime nemesis, has taken leadership of the team (thanks to Charles Xavier’s final will). The dynamics are tense, the stakes are high, and just when you think things can’t get more complicated, Professor X returns to Earth to help defeat Bastion—a terrifying fusion of human and Sentinel technology. The battle against Bastion ends with the team flung through time, setting up a wild Season 2.
Cliffhangers, Surprises, and Unanswered Questions
The Season 1 finale left fans reeling: Cyclops and Jean Grey are trapped in the year 3960 A.D.; Rogue, Beast, Nightcrawler, Professor X, and Magneto are stranded in ancient Egypt (where they encounter a young Apocalypse, hinting at his villainous future). And let’s not forget Gambit—his heroic sacrifice might not be the end of his story. Oh, and Wolverine? Let’s just say Magneto did something brutal to him in the second-to-last episode. (No spoilers, but comic fans already know what’s coming.)
Behind-the-Scenes Drama: A Controversial Exit
Here’s a twist that sparked debate: Original head writer Beau DeMayo was abruptly fired by Marvel just before Season 1 premiered, despite having already completed work on Season 2. (Why? That’s the million-dollar question nobody has fully answered.) Taking over for Season 3 is Matthew Chauncey, known for his work on What If…?
The voice cast remains stellar, with Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, and Cal Dodd returning as Wolverine—alongside a powerhouse lineup bringing these iconic characters to life.
So, What Do You Think?
Are you hyped for more X-Men ’97, or does the long wait for Season 2 feel like torture? And what’s your take on DeMayo’s sudden departure—fair move or behind-the-scenes drama gone wrong? Sound off in the comments!
