More retro animation is here. X-Men ’97 returns this week on Disney+. Everyone was waiting for it.
The show jumps straight into the chaos from last time. The cliffhanger stung, didn’t it? Now the team has to fight through time. It looks like they’re trying to change history before it locks shut. The enemy? Apocalypse. Again. But bigger.
Ancient Egypt. The 90s. The future. All of it, mashed together. You get your mainstays, obviously. Wolverine. Cyclops. Beast. Xavier. But the cast is thicker this time. New faces join the fray—Polaris, Havok, even Sabretooth and Lady Deathstrike. Mariko Danger too. It feels crowded. In a good way.
The writers are pulling from real pages. The Rise of Apocalypse. Askani’son. Even some older Cyclops-Phoenix stuff. It’s clear they aren’t afraid to mine the comics. Plus, Disney already said yes to season three. Why take it slow when the goldmine is still there?
When exactly does it drop?
Mark your calendars. July 1. That’s Wednesday.
Three episodes hit at once. Then you wait. Every week until August 12 for the finale. Nine episodes total. Not bad pacing, but the early burst is where it gets fun.
Don’t skip season one if you’ve drifted. The stakes don’t land without the history.
Should you watch other Marvel stuff first? Maybe. If you need context on who Cable actually is or why Mr. Sinister matters so much, dig into X-Men: The Animated Series. All five seasons are on the platform. It gives depth to characters who only get glances here. Apocalypse needs that extra weight. Otherwise he’s just another big guy yelling about the future.
Go watch the old stuff. Then come back for the new. Or just dive in blind and hope you pick up on the vibes. It’s your choice. The mutant war starts July 1.
