Disney+ - X-Men '97 Season 2 Review: Time Travel, Apocalypse and Outstanding Storytelling

By Mulder, 01 july 2026

For many long-running franchises, nostalgia has become a shortcut rather than a creative ambition. *X-Men ’97* continues to prove that revisiting a beloved franchise doesn’t necessarily mean replicating the past. After a remarkable first season that reignited enthusiasm for Marvel’s mutants, Season 2 arrives with the confidence of a series that knows exactly what it wants to be. Instead of falling back on familiar territory, it takes on one of the franchise’s most complex concepts (time travel) and transforms it into an emotionally rich exploration of fate, family, sacrifice, and ideological conflicts. Picking up immediately after the dramatic conclusion of Season 1, the story scatters its heroes across three different eras, allowing the writers to expand both the mythology and the emotional scope without ever losing sight of the characters that made audiences fall in love with this reboot in the first place.

The decision to split the X-Men between ancient Egypt, a dystopian future, and the familiar landscape of the 1990s proves to be much more than just a clever narrative device. Each timeline serves a distinct dramatic purpose while constantly returning to the same fundamental questions: Can history truly be rewritten, and are individuals trapped in the futures they are destined to create? Rather than overwhelming viewers with constant jumps from one era to another, the season wisely devotes considerable attention to each storyline before weaving them back together. This structure allows each chapter to breathe while gradually revealing how every event—no matter how distant in time—contributes to Apocalypse’s terrifying legacy. The result is a season that feels more ambitious than the previous one without becoming disjointed, rewarding attentive viewers while maintaining a remarkably clear emotional thread.

Perhaps the season’s greatest achievement lies in its portrayal of En Sabah Nur. For decades, Apocalypse has often been depicted as an unstoppable force of destruction whose imposing presence overshadowed his humanity. Here, however, the character is given a depth rarely seen in previous adaptations. Observing the future tyrant before he assumes the identity of Apocalypse transforms him from a mythical villain into a tragic figure shaped by suffering, oppression, and impossible choices. His interactions with Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto give rise to some of the season’s most fascinating philosophical debates. Seeing Magneto sincerely believe that history can be altered through compassion, while Xavier fears the catastrophic consequences of interfering with destiny, reminds us why their ideological rivalry remains one of the richest relationships in the Marvel Universe. These conversations carry just as much dramatic weight as the spectacular battles that surround them.

The subplot set in the future offers an equally captivating emotional anchor through Scott Summers and Jean Grey, whose reunion with their son Nathan introduces a deeply personal dilemma that transcends cosmic stakes. Their desire to experience the family life they were deprived of constantly clashes with the realization that every decision could reshape history itself. The parental instinct to protect one’s child becomes infinitely more complicated when that child is destined to become one of the greatest warriors of the mutant race. Rather than relying solely on action or spectacle, the series consistently grounds its most ambitious science-fiction concepts in deeply human emotions. Even viewers unfamiliar with the decades-long comic book universe can understand the heart-wrenching tension between duty and love that drives these scenes.

Visually, Season 2 confirms that Marvel Animation has struck the perfect balance between respecting the aesthetic identity of the original 1990s series and enhancing it with modern craftsmanship. The animation bursts with energy whenever the mutants’ powers are unleashed, from Cyclops’ devastating optic beams to Storm’s breathtaking mastery of the elements. Each era has its own distinct visual identity, allowing ancient Egypt, the ruined future, and present-day America to feel like fully realized worlds rather than mere interchangeable backdrops. The choreography of the action scenes remains exhilarating, but what stands out most is the clarity with which each sequence reveals the characters’ personalities. Powers are never used solely for show; they express personality, convictions, and emotions, giving each confrontation deep meaning rather than merely serving as decoration.

Equally impressive is the exceptional voice cast, whose performances elevate an already solid script. Ross Marquand, Matthew Waterson, Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, and Adetokumboh M’Cormack all bring remarkable nuance to characters that many fans have loved for decades. Rather than imitating past performances, they enrich these familiar characters with subtle emotional nuances that align with the series’ increasingly mature storytelling. Longtime viewers will appreciate the return of iconic voices, while newcomers will simply discover a cast whose chemistry feels entirely authentic. It’s hard to imagine a stronger animated cast currently at work in superhero TV series.

If Season 2 reveals a notable weakness, it’s the same flaw that sometimes affected its predecessor: a breakneck pace. So many captivating ideas, narrative arcs, and classic comic-book plotlines are introduced that some developments could use more space to unfold. Several emotional revelations occur almost immediately after breathtaking action scenes, leaving little time for the characters—or the audience—to fully grasp their significance. Ironically, the series is so captivating that its greatest frustration stems precisely from the desire to spend even more time with these characters. Nevertheless, this minor criticism does not detract from what remains an exceptionally ambitious sequel, one that captures both the emotional heart of the X-Men mythology and the broader themes that have always allowed these stories to resonate across generations.

Far from relying solely on nostalgia, Season 2 of *X-Men ’97* demonstrates how to approach storytelling within an established universe. It honors its origins while confidently expanding its universe, offering breathtaking animation, moving characters, and one of the best storylines Marvel has produced in years. By blending philosophical debates, torn families, and impossible moral choices with spectacular superhero action scenes, the series captures the essence of the X-Men better than many live-action adaptations ever have. Whether exploring hope, prejudice, redemption, or fate itself, this second season feels less like a sequel to a cult-classic animated series and more like the definitive modern interpretation of Marvel’s mutant saga.

Synopsis :
Picking up where the beloved 1990s animated series left off, X-Men '97 follows the mutant heroes as they face a world that fears and hates them after the loss of their longtime mentor, Professor Charles Xavier. As new leaders emerge, old enemies return, and unexpected alliances are forged, the X-Men must confront powerful threats while struggling to preserve Xavier's dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. Blending classic comic book storytelling with modern themes, the series delivers action, emotion, and political intrigue while honoring the legacy of the original animated show.

X-Men '97
Created by Beau DeMayo
Directed Emmett Yonemura, Chase Conley
Written by Brian Ford Sullivan, Anthony Sellitti, Mariah Wilson, Beau DeMayo, JB Ballard
Based on Marvel Comics
Producers : Danielle Costa, Sean Gantka, Alex Scharf
Executive producers : Beau DeMayo, Victoria Alonso, Louis D'Esposito, Kevin Feige, Brad Winderbaum, Larry Houston, Eric Lewald, Julia Lewald, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Matthew Chauncey
Voices of Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, J. P. Karliak, Lenore Zann, George Buza, A. J. LoCascio, Holly Chou, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Matthew Waterson, Ross Marquand, Adrian Hough, Chris Potter, Gui Agustini, Naoko Mori, Christopher Barger
Theme music composer : Haim Saban, Shuki Levy
Composer : The Newton Brothers
Editors : Michelle McMillan, Asher Lewis, Rachael Russakoff, Joel Fisher, Graham Fisher
Production company : Marvel Studios Animation
Network : Disney+
Release March 20, 2024 – present
Running time : 30–43 minutes