Ranking All 4 ‘Deadpool’ Movies (Including the Newest!) From Worst to Best

With Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) making waves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s impossible not to look back at the wild rollercoaster that is Deadpool’s cinematic journey. Coming in as the seventh most successful MCU movie—right after heavyweights like Avengers: Endgame, Infinity War, and Spider-Man: No Way Home—Deadpool & Wolverine smashed records with a whopping $1.34 billion at the global box office. Not only did it break into the top 20 highest-grossing movies of all time, but it also took the crown as the highest-grossing R-rated film and the second-highest earner of 2024.

But here’s where things get confusing. Is Deadpool & Wolverine really an MCU movie? Technically, no—it’s the final installment in Fox’s X-Men series, making it a sort of Marvel mullet: MCU in the front, X-Men business in the back. And while it’s an unusual MCU entry due to Deadpool’s meta-humor and the film’s connection to earlier Fox movies, it’s still beloved by fans and critics alike. After all, this isn’t the first time Deadpool and Wolverine have shared the screen. Die-hard fans will remember (or maybe try hard to forget) their initial team-up in Wolverine: X-Men Origins (2009). So, is this really Deadpool 3 or maybe… Deadpool 4?

To set things straight—and just for fun—let’s rank the four Deadpool movies from worst to best.

4. Wolverine: X-Men Origins (2009) – The “What Were They Thinking?” Entry

If there’s a Deadpool movie that feels like a distant fever dream, it’s Wolverine: X-Men Origins. Despite Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds both suiting up (well, sort of) for this pre-Deadpool Deadpool movie, it left fans scratching their heads. Here, Wolverine takes center stage, and Deadpool—more accurately, a version of him—comes in as a surprise that, unfortunately, wasn’t exactly delightful. Instead of the wise-cracking Merc with a Mouth, fans got a mutant who couldn’t crack jokes because, well, his mouth was literally sewn shut.

Let’s be real: this version of Deadpool was a far cry from the beloved anti-hero we know. Sure, he had superpowers, including some Terminator-inspired blade arms and teleportation skills, but what good are those without Deadpool’s trademark wit? Fans weren’t impressed, to say the least. But the movie’s missteps gave us one positive: hilarious fodder for Deadpool to poke fun at in future films. In Deadpool 2, we even see him “correct” this version of himself in a brilliantly funny mid-credits scene. Origins may have been rough, but it set the stage for the Deadpool we love today.

3. Deadpool (2016) – The Fresh Start

The first true Deadpool film arrived in 2016, and it was worth the wait. Deadpool took the superhero genre, dunked it in sarcasm, and then shot it with an R rating. With Ryan Reynolds finally getting to unleash the Merc with a Mouth in all his fourth-wall-breaking, wise-cracking glory, Deadpool delivered a fresh perspective that superhero fans had been craving.

Set against the backdrop of the MCU’s massive success, this R-rated romp felt like a gust of fresh air. Reynolds embodied Deadpool to perfection, bringing his iconic humor and swagger to the screen. Though the film occasionally got bogged down by standard superhero tropes—a love interest, a slightly forgettable villain—Deadpool’s humor, action-packed sequences, and surprisingly heart-warming moments made it a standout. This movie introduced us to the Deadpool we’d come to know and love: sharp, sarcastic, and unafraid to mock everyone, including himself.

Related: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Secret Disneyland Experience Explained

2. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) – The Meta Marvel Crossover

And now for the big one: Deadpool & Wolverine smashed into the MCU with a chaotic, hilarious blend of humor, heart, and seriously epic cameos. Whether you’re there for the Logan-Wade showdown, the reluctant team-up, or surprise appearances by characters like Jennifer Garner’s Elektra and Wesley Snipes’ Blade, this movie is as wild as Marvel gets. It’s also the first Fox-produced sequel to officially join the MCU, and it shows. From Deadpool’s digs at Disney to Wolverine’s reluctant acceptance of being in this “shared universe,” the movie balances fan service with clever commentary.

However, some argue that the MCU’s family-friendly banner holds back Deadpool & Wolverine from its full R-rated, irreverent potential. While it’s hands down one of the boldest MCU films, it could have pushed the envelope even further without those Disney-induced restraints. So, while it’s a blast to see these two Marvel icons side by side, and as wild as this entry is, it just misses the top spot. Still, it’s the ultimate crossover that fans have waited for, and they won’t be disappointed.

1. Deadpool 2 (2018) – The Time-Traveling Triumph

Topping the list is Deadpool 2, a film that cranked everything fans loved about the first Deadpool up to 11 and then threw in time travel, tragedy, and endless laughs for good measure. With Josh Brolin’s Cable adding some serious (and seriously funny) tension, and Zazie Beetz’s Domino bringing an unmatched charm to the team, Deadpool 2 expanded the Deadpool universe without losing any of its edge.

The plot takes a more compelling turn, too, as Wade Wilson deals with love, loss, and a time-bending mission to save his loved ones. And of course, it wouldn’t be Deadpool without a bit of meta-humor. The movie ends with Deadpool using time travel to “fix” past timelines, including his appearance in X-Men Origins and even Ryan Reynolds’ turn in Green Lantern. This scene alone is one of the funniest moments in superhero cinema, and it cemented Deadpool 2 as the best entry in the series.

Why does Deadpool 2 deserve the top spot? It’s got everything: laughs, a deeper story, and a satisfying dose of Deadpool’s signature chaos. While Deadpool & Wolverine is a fantastic MCU entry, Deadpool 2 captures the essence of the franchise and gives us the Deadpool we know, love, and wouldn’t want any other way.

So there you have it—the good, the bad, and the meta of Deadpool. As Marvel’s quirkiest anti-hero continues to break boundaries (and the fourth wall), here’s hoping future movies keep this unpredictable, irreverent energy alive. For now, we’re left with four very different but equally memorable entries that showcase Deadpool’s journey from a misunderstood mutant to the MCU’s rowdiest hero.

Related: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Release ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Music Video

Check out the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine below:

Deadpool & Wolverine stars Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson/Deadpool), Hugh Jackman (Logan/Wolverine), Emma Corrin (Cassandra Nova), Matthew Macfadyen (Mr Paradox), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle), Rob Delaney (Peter Wisdom), Leslie Uggams (Blind Al), Karan Soni (Dopinder), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Shioli Kutsuna (Yukio), Stefan Kapičić (Colossus), Jennifer Garner (Elektra Natchios), Wesley Snipes (Blade), Channing Tatum (Gambit), and Daphne Keen (Laura/X-23).

The film is now streaming.

Do you agree with this ranking? Let us know in the comments down below!