Our recent Best Spider-Man Stories of All Time post was one of the most popular post here on the blog (you really should check it out if you haven’t yet!), so doing the same for X-Men was an obvious choice.

One thing we discover when we began compiling the ballots for the best X-Men stories of all time, is that there is way less consensus regarding which are the best X-Men arcs aside from the perennial top 2 (which you’ll have to continue reading to find out). Though there were factions that agreed quite heavily on certain things, and that is their respective love of the John Byrne and Chris Claremont era, the Grant Morrison era and the Joss Whedon era.

As for the methodology of this list; it was compiled very similarly to that of the aforementioned Spider-Man list, in that we scoured the web and its numerous lists regarding this topic and add them all together, giving a weighted vote to each arc mentioned according to the users’ ranking as well as giving out points for frequency of appearances. We also kept out the Ultimate line, and stuck to the standard 616 universe.

Now, on to the list of the best X-Men Stories of All Time!

Top 25 best X-Men Stories and Arcs

Best X-Men Stories : The Runner Ups

25. Mutant X / Proteus

Our first entry into the list of the best X-Men stories of all time comes from the legendary run of John Byrne and Chris Claremont on Uncanny X-Men. These issues feature Proteus (also known as Mutant X), who was Moira MacTaggert’s son. While seldom heard of after these events, many of the mythos established here lived on, such as the introduction of Madrox and Muir Island.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #125 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #126 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #127 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #128 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Essential X-Men Vol. 2 (BUY)
Marvel Masterworks The Uncanny X-Men Vol. 4 (BUY)

24. Wolverine’s Wedding

Although short-lived, Paul Smith’s run as penciller on Uncanny X-Men along with scribe Claremont is one of the best partnerships in X-Men history, and could have equalled that of Byrne/Claremont had it lasted that much longer. No need to pick up “Essential Wolverine” for the best wolverine stories, folks, as his best is usually found within the pages of “Uncanny X-Men” themselves, and are naturally also among the best x-men stories ever. Case in point:

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #172 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #173 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Essential X-Men Vol. 4 (BUY)

23. Inferno

Yet another Claremont story enters the list of best X-Men stories ever, as Inferno comes in at number twenty-three, though it is easily one of the most controversial entries on the list. Surprisingly few repercussions from the event, though it did bring many of the offshoot titles together again after a few years of being isolated from one another.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #239 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #240 (BUY)
X-Factor #36 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #241 (BUY)
X-Factor #37 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #242 (BUY)
X-Factor #38 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #243 (BUY)
X-Factor #39 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Essential X-Men Vol. 8 (BUY)

22. X-Cutioner’s Song

No, this list is not moving in chronological order, but for now, here’s X-Cutioner’s Song, a very hyped crossover that was supposed to feature many of the creators who jumped ship to form Image Comics. While not a personal favorite of mine, it is for many their introduction to the X-Men, and hence, one of the best X-Men stories ever.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #294 (BUY)
X-Factor #84 (BUY)
X-Men #14 (BUY)
X-Force #16 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #295 (BUY)
X-Factor #85 (BUY)
X-Men #15 (BUY)
X-Force #17 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #296 (BUY)
X-Factor #86 (BUY)
X-Men #16 (BUY)
X-Force #18 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #297 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: X-Cutioner’s Song TPB (BUY)

21. House of M

Great art, fun alternate universes and a game changing plot make this one of the most essential and best X-Men stories in recent years.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
House of M #1 (BUY)
House of M #2 (BUY)
House of M #3 (BUY)
House of M #4 (BUY)
House of M #5 (BUY)
House of M #6 (BUY)
House of M #7 (BUY)
House of M #8 (BUY)

Also collected in:
House of M TPB (BUY)

20. Imperial

Enter Grant Morrison, with one of his first arcs on the newly renamed “New X-Men”. Among one of the three most important creator runs that compose much of the best X-Men stories of all time. Included below are the issues included in some trade paperback reprints that comprise the actual arc and the arcs and issues leading up to it.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
New X-Men #118 (BUY)
New X-Men #119 (BUY)
New X-Men #120 (BUY)
New X-Men #121 (BUY)
New X-Men #122 (BUY)
New X-Men #123 (BUY)
New X-Men #124 (BUY)
New X-Men #125 (BUY)
New X-Men #126 (BUY)

Also collected in:
New X-Men Omnibus (BUY)
New X-Men Vol. 2 (BUY)

19. Here Comes Tomorrow

Many of the best X-Men stories are those that give life to new X-Men Universes. Add in a touch of Grant Morrison, and yet instantly get a fan favorite story arc.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
New X-Men #151 (BUY)
New X-Men #152 (BUY)
New X-Men #153 (BUY)
New X-Men #154 (BUY)

Also collected in:
New X-Men Omnibus (BUY)
New X-Men Vol. 8 (BUY)

18. Operation Zero Tolerance

Though it might be cheating to include what is essentially four different storylines that are only relatively loosely associated by the fact that Mutants are being hunted by Sentinels. The Wolverine and X-Men stories are the better ones, and show how a crossover, or “event”, can be done while not being too convoluted.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Men #65 (BUY)
X-Force #67 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #346 (BUY)
Cable #45 (BUY)
X-Force #68 (BUY)
Cable #46 (BUY)
X-Force #69 (BUY)
Cable #47 (BUY)
Generation X #29 (BUY)
X-Men #66 (BUY)
Wolverine #115 (BUY)
X-Men #67 (BUY)
Wolverine #116 (BUY)
Generation X #30 (BUY)
Generation X #31 (BUY)
X-Men #68 (BUY)
Wolverine #117 (BUY)
X-Men #69 (BUY)
Wolverine #118 (BUY)
X-Men #70 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Operation Zero Tolerance (BUY)

17. Mutant Genesis

The starting point for many X-Men readers and one of the best-selling comics of all time, Jim Lee and Chris Claremont launch of a second core X-Title is for many of the best X-Men stories of all time. It’s now available with the latest coloring techniques.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Men #1 (BUY)
X-Men #2 (BUY)
X-Men #3 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men by Jim Lee and Chris Claremont Vol. 2 (BUY)
X-Men Mutant Genesis 2.0 (BUY)

16. Supernovas

This one is a bit off the beaten path, as it brought to you by Chris Bachalo and Mike Carey, quite outside the popular eras of Whedon, Claremont and Grant, but considered for many of the best X-Men stories in recent memory.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Men #188 (BUY)
X-Men #189 (BUY)
X-Men #190 (BUY)
X-Men #191 (BUY)
X-Men #192 (BUY)
X-Men #193 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Supernovas (BUY)

15. Dangerous

As we inch into the top 15 best X-Men stories and arcs, we finally get our first Joss Whedon entry. This is the second arc of his Astonishing X-Men series, and is actually considered the weakest of the bunch, while still maintaining a strong ranking nonetheless.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Astonishing X-Men #7 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #8 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #9 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #10 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #11 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #12 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

14. The Phalanx Covenant

A personal favorite of mine, the Phalanx Covenant contains the origins of Generation X as well as some of Joe Madureira’s first Uncanny X-Men issues.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Generation Next
Uncanny X-Men #316 (BUY)
X-Men #36 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #317 (BUY)
X-Men #37 (BUY)
Life Signs
X-Factor #106 (BUY)
X-Force #38 (BUY)
Excalibur #82 (BUY)
Final Sanction
Wolverine #85 (BUY)
Cable #16 (BUY)

13. Planet X

You can’t have a “best X-Men stories” list without featuring the death of Jean Grey at least twice!

Best X-Men Stories Issues
New X-Men #146 (BUY)
New X-Men #147 (BUY)
New X-Men #148 (BUY)
New X-Men #149 (BUY)
New X-Men #150 (BUY)

Also collected in:
New X-Men Omnibus (BUY)
New X-Men Vol. 6 (BUY)

12. Messiah Complex

The continuation of the storyline set in motion after the decimation event after “House of M”, Messiah Complex is a traditional crossover weaving in a linear fashion through each X-title.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Men Messiah Complex #1 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #492 (BUY)
X-Factor 3rd Series #25 (BUY)
New X-Men #44 (BUY)
X-Men #205 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #493 (BUY)
X-Factor 3rd Series #26 (BUY)
New X-Men #45 (BUY)
X-Men #206 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #494 (BUY)
X-Factor 3rd Series #27 (BUY)
New X-Men #46 (BUY)
X-Men #207 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Messiah Complex TPB (BUY)

11. Fatal Attractions

Who says the 90’s were bad for the X-Men? Fatal Attractions, featuring the return of Magneto, makes it into the top 10 best X-Men stories of all time.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #298 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #299 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #300 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #301 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #302 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #303 (BUY)
X-Factor #92 (BUY)
X-Force #25 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #304 (BUY)
X-Men Unlimited #2 (BUY)
X-Men #25 (BUY)
Wolverine #75 (BUY)
Excalibur #71 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #305 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #315 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Fatal Attractions TPB (BUY)

Best X-Men Stories : Frequent Favorites

10. Riot at Xavier’s

Frank Quietly once again perfectly translates Grant Morrison’s plot into images, making this duo one of the best creator teams on X-Men since Byrne and Claremont.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
New X-Men #135 (BUY)
New X-Men #136 (BUY)
New X-Men #137 (BUY)
New X-Men #138 (BUY)

Also collected in:
New X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

9. Torn

Another Joss Whedon arc makes it into the best X-Men stories list.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Astonishing X-Men #13 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #14 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #15 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #16 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #17 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #18 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

8. Unstoppable

We keep things rolling with another, final, arc by Joss Whedon.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Astonishing X-Men #19 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #20 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #21 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #22 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #23 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #24 (BUY)
Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

7. Mutant Massacre

Stepping back in time to a classic X-Men story which features a great number of essential villain/hero match-ups, chief among them Wolverine versus Sabretooth making this one of the best X-Men stories in terms of impact, fun and overall enjoyment.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Factor #9( BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #210 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #211 (BUY)
New Mutants #46 (BUY)
X-Factor #10 (BUY)
Thor #373 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #212 (BUY)
Thor #374 (BUY)
X-Factor #11 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #213 (BUY)
X-Factor #12 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Mutant Massacre TPB (BUY)

6. God Loves, Man Kills

God Loves, Man Kills was always one of the best X-Men stories as it perfectly plays the persecuted outcasts of society theme. It was also the basis of X2: X-Men United, making it an essential issue.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Marvel Graphic Novel #5 – X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills( BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills Hardcover (BUY)

5. Age of Apocalypse

X-Men stories thrive in alternate versions. It could be the juxtaposition of a new setting that make the true star of the series, “The Dream of Coexistence”, all the more clearer. It could also just be that the best X-Men stories thrive when the ensemble casts interrelations shine when the alternate universe versions shake things up. Regardless, the Age of Apocalypse was an ambitious concept that paid off. Generation Next, Astonishing X-Men, Weapon X and the bookend issues are the most exhilarating.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
X-Men Alpha #1 (BUY)
Generation Next #1 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men 1st Series #1 (BUY)
X-Calibre #1 (BUY)
Gambit & The X-Ternals #1 (BUY)
Weapon X 1st Series #1 (BUY)
Amazing X-Men #1 (BUY)
Factor X #1 (BUY)
X-Man #1 (BUY)
Amazing X-men #2 (BUY)
Factor X #2 (BUY)
Generation Next #2 (BUY)
Weapon X 1st Series #2 (BUY)
Gambit & The X-Ternals #2 (BUY)
X-Calibre #2 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men 1st Series #2 (BUY)
X-Man #2 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men 1st Series #3 (BUY)
Factor X #3 (BUY)
Amazing X-men #3 (BUY)
X-Calibre #3 (BUY)
Weapon X 1st Series #3 (BUY)
Gambit & The X-Ternals #3 (BUY)
Generation Next #3 (BUY)
X-Man #3 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men 1st Series #4 (BUY)
Generation Next #4 (BUY)
X-Calibre #4 (BUY)
X-Man #4 (BUY)
Factor X #4 (BUY)
Gambit & The X-Ternals #4 (BUY)
Amazing X-men #4 (BUY)
Weapon X 1st Series #4 (BUY)
X-Men Omega #1 (BUY)

Also collected in:
X-Men: Age of Apocalypse (BUY)

4. Gifted

Joss Whedon’s inaugural story arc on the new Astonishing X-Men series is also considered his best. The elements introduced in Gifted are pure X-Men, such as the introduction of the cure, and Whedon plays up the characters personalities perfectly. In retrospect, after having read his entire run, you really see the beauty into how he sets up the many plot lines that come together in the end, still while leaving them subtle as to not have the story feel to heavy. Definitely one of the best X-Men stories and definitely a story we would recommend to any new reader.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Astonishing X-Men #1 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #2 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #3 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #4 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #5 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men #6 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1 (BUY)
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

3. E for Extinction

Another inaugural run, Grant Morrison’s first New X-Men run is one of the best X-Men stories out there, as pens the perfect X-Men story with great help from Frank Quietly, arguably his best collaborator. The consequences of this arc are extremely important, as the destruction of Genosha is a major event for years to come.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
New X-Men #114 (BUY)
New X-Men #115 (BUY)
New X-Men #116 (BUY)

Also collected in:
New X-Men Omnibus (BUY)

Best X-Men Stories : Undisputed Favorites

2. Days of Future Past

The top two story arcs appear on nearly everyone’s list and demonstrate why Byrne/Claremont X-Men is still the most essential reading for any newcomer. This is the original alternate universe story, and the themes explored in this short two-part story motivate much of the future storylines. Undisputedly one of the best X-Men stories ever.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #141 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #142 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Essential X-Men Vol. 2 (BUY)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (BUY)

1. Dark Phoenix Saga

It’s no surprise to many that the Dark Phoenix Saga is considered the best of the best X-Men stories ever. Not only does it establish many of the X-Men’s mythos, it also features one of the best Wolverine issues ever, the introduction of Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde and the death of Jean Grey. If you haven’t, then just read it.

Best X-Men Stories Issues
Uncanny X-Men #129 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #130 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #131 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #132 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #133 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #134 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #135 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #136 (BUY)
Uncanny X-Men #137 (BUY)

Also collected in:
Essential X-Men Vol. 2 (BUY)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (BUY)

Tell us what you think are the top 25 best X-Men stories on our comment section!