If you spent your childhood stuck to Saturday morning cartoons of the ’90s, it is a safe bet that the original X-Men: The Animated Series is near and dear to your heart. It wasn’t a run-of-the-mill superhero cartoon—it was a cultural reference point. It blended soap opera-esque drama, social commentary, and classic comic book storylines into something that both felt grand and incredibly intimate. So when Marvel Studios broke the news of X-Men 9’97a straight-up continuation of said favorite show, fans were equal parts thrilled and apprehensive. Could it recreate the same magic, or would nostalgia be all that kept it alive?
Marvel Studios Animation, creatively spearheaded by Beau DeMayo and supported by Kevin Feige’s long-documented love of the X-Men, went into X-Men ’97 with a single mandate: honor the legacy while boldly evolving. The outcome? A reimagining that not only keeps up with the original but, in numerous respects, exceeds it—raising the bar for how to reboot a classic.
One of the earliest hurdles was the voice cast. The team made a concerted effort to bring back as many of the original actors as possible, but some had to be recast. Rather than being distracting, the new voices blend in seamlessly—some even surpass their 90s counterparts. Ray Chase’s Cyclops, for instance, is particularly notable. Traditionally understood as wooden or unlikeable in previous incarnations, Cyclops here is complex, sad, and intriguing—a man burdened by impossible decisions. His development in X-Men ’97 turns him from the “team leader you hate to love” into one of the series’ most intriguing characters.
Jean Grey, voiced by Jennifer Hale, holds down the season with a performance filled with resilience, heartache, and strength. She becomes the emotional center of the series, and her story makes her one of the team’s most sympathetic heroes. But the show doesn’t limit the limelight to the heavy-hitters alone. Each member of the X-Men gets their share of time. Storm’s retelling of the “Lifedeath” storyline—she loses her powers and has to relearn who she is—is particularly resonant. Rogue, also, is more fleshed out and emotionally complex than ever before, at last embracing her comic book origins in a manner the original series could only suggest.
And then there’s Magneto. Matthew Waterson takes over the role and brings a combination of gravitas and insecurity as the ex-villain struggles to continue Xavier’s vision. His inner conflict between leadership, empathy, and the use of violence makes his narrative one of the most rewarding of the season. Rather than rehash the standard “enemy turned ally” tropes, the writers reach deeper, developing Magneto into an original, well-considered path that feels both surprising and inevitable.
The storytelling itself makes bold moves. X-Men ’97 does not hesitate to tackle heavy themes or true consequences. It reflects contemporary social and political concerns in ways that feel biting and pertinent. Characters experience irreversible, sometimes tragic ends—death blows that endure—hiking the stakes in ways most superhero shows are afraid to. The action is fierce but never melodramatic, tempered by drama that’s more intense, denser, and more stylish due to an up-to-date animation overhaul.
And then there’s animation. The visuals get the perfect blend of old and new. The cleaner, smoother aesthetic pairs oh-so-nicely with 90s-inspired color schemes and 2D graphics, achieving that retro aesthetic without a hint of kitsch, all while modernized to perfection for modern times. The Newton Brothers’ soundtrack, complete with a remastered take on the classic theme song, cranks up the emotion and energy in each scene—rendering even quieter moments impactful.
What makes X-Men ’97 so special is that it knows who it is for. The children who grew up watching the original program are now grown up, and the content has grown up with them. It provides richer character development, timely commentary, and radical gambles that most superhero programs will not take. It’s both a moving tribute to the original and a bold move forward, demonstrating precisely how to pay respect to something while propelling it into tomorrow.
X-Men ’97 is more than just a superhero revival—it’s a reminder of why these characters exist, and why their tales continue to resonate decades on. It’s ambitious, it’s emotional, and it’s made with love. If this is the template for revivals going forward, Marvel has just lifted the bar sky-high.