The Film After Dark Phoenix In Release Order
Dark Phoenix is the final mainline X-Men film produced by 20th Century Fox and released in 2019. The next theatrical X-Men feature is The New Mutants, which was completed earlier but held from wide release until 2020. Both arrive after Dark Phoenix in the overall timeline, with The New Mutants functioning as a horror‑tinged side story in the same shared universe rather than a direct story continuation. Below is a concise breakdown of release and sequence context for quick reference.
Release Order At A Glance
For this relationship question, it helps to see dates and labels side by side. The table below shows the immediate predecessor and successor in release order, plus each film’s studio and year.
| Film | Year | Studio | Relationship To Dark Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Phoenix | 2019 | 20th Century Fox | Reference point |
| The New Mutants | 2018 (filmed) / 2020 (wide release) | 20th Century Fox | Next theatrical release after Dark Phoenix |
| Deadpool 2 | 2018 | 20th Century Fox | Earlier in release order, same universe |
Dark Phoenix In Context
Dark Phoenix reimagines the origin of Jean Grey, closing Fox’s main X-Men continuity. Its ending erases the timeline shaped by Days of Future Past and related entries, making it a soft reboot point rather than a bridge to earlier stories. The decision to position it as a finale influenced how studios planned subsequent titles, including how The New Mutants was framed for audiences expecting further X-Men stories.
The New Mutants Explained
The New Mutants began principal photography in 2015 and completed filming long before Dark Phoenix reached theaters. Originally scheduled for release in 2017, it was delayed multiple times due to reshoots and marketing considerations. When it finally reached wide audiences in 2020, it functioned as an offbeat horror‑supernatural chapter featuring younger mutants. Unlike Days of Future Past or Apocalypse, it does not directly reference Jean Grey’s cosmic transformation, instead leaning into mood and monster tropes.
Key Details At A Glance
- Narrative focus: Cosmic powers and personal stakes in Jean Grey conclusion
- Studio and franchise: 20th Century Fox, X-Men universe
- Release positioning: The next wide theatrical X-Men entry after Dark Phoenix
- Tone and genre: Horror‑leaning superhero origin with a ’80s aesthetic
- Canonical status: Part of the same universe but not a direct sequel to Dark Phoenix
Other Films In The Wider X-Men Lineup
The X‑Men multiverse includes multiple timelines and standalone entries, such as Deadpool 2, which arrived before Dark Phoenix but carries a self‑aware tone distinct from the main continuity. The relationship between these projects is less about strict chronology and more about tone, target audience, and shared universe branding. For viewers tracking the broader saga, it helps to separate mainline X‑Men storylines from ancillary mutant adventures. Below is a brief ordered snapshot of key entries around Dark Phoenix and The New Mutants.
| Film | Year | Primary Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Phoenix | 2019 | Mainline conclusion |
| The New Mutants | 2020 | Next theatrical mutant feature |
| Deadpool 2 | 2018 | Connected side story |
| X‑Men: Days of Future Past | 2014 | Major timeline reset |
| X‑Men: Apocalypse | Bridge to Dark Phoenix |
Audience And Release Considerations
The gap between Dark Phoenix (June 2019) and The New Mutants (August 2020) reflects production schedules, reshoots, and shifting release strategies under Disney after the Fox acquisition. The New Mutants’ horror framing attracted a distinct audience segment, and its eventual theatrical run followed a hybrid model tied to Disney+ in some regions. Understanding this pattern clarifies why the next film after Dark Phoenix did not arrive immediately and how branding shifted across platforms.
Bottom Line
The movie that came after Dark Phoenix in wide theatrical release is The New Mutants. Although filmed earlier and tonally distinct, it is the next feature‑length X‑Men entry presented to general audiences following the conclusion of Jean Grey’s arc in Dark Phoenix. Other related titles, such as Deadpool 2, belong to the same broader continuity but appear at different points in the release order and with different narrative aims.