Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Time-traveling superhero sequel has lots of action violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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X-Men: Days of Future Past
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Based on 88 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a mix of opinions, with some finding it boring and bad while others rave about its captivating plot, action sequences, and message of hope. While the film features a fair amount of violence and strong language, many viewers appreciate the character development and the nostalgic element of combining different casts from the franchise.
- mixed reviews
- strong characters
- intense action
- some nudity
- strong language
- message of hope
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, it's the future, and mutants are in peril after a prolonged battle with both humans and robotic warriors, called Sentinels, that were designed to fight mutants by Boliver Trask (Peter Dinklage). This dismal situation harkens back to 1973, when Raven -- aka Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) -- shot Trask to put a stop to the growing threat against mutants. But that plan has clearly backfired, so Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen) decide that the only solution is to send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back to 1973 to prevent Mystique from pulling the trigger. But the professor and Magneto's younger selves (James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) are as estranged as two friends can get, and Mystique is filled with rage.
Is It Any Good?
The X-Men franchise knows how to deliver the goods -- this movie is thrilling filmmaking, a deft combination of engaged storytelling and impressive special effects. (Plus, heaps of charisma from the likes of McAvoy, Fassbender, and Jackman). While the film sometimes feels overcrowded, with too many characters and a busy plot -- you may find yourself wishing you'd spent more time getting to know a character or doing without them at all -- X-Men: Days of Future Past manages to be entertaining, not just for die-hard X-Men fans but also for those seeing it without the X-Men fandom lens. It's great to watch the talented cast do their thing, do it well, and enjoy themselves to boot. The audience will be cheering them on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about superhero movies. How does X-Men: Days of Future Past compare with the other X-Men films? How do the X-Men movies stack up against other popular franchises, such as The Avengers or Spider-Man? What makes each one stand apart from the others?
What do the X-Men movies have to say about racism and discrimination? How do ordinary people view mutants?
What do the mutants' struggles have in common with other challenges that people have faced? Why do people tend to fear what is different?
How do the characters in X-Men: Days of Future Past demonstrate teamwork? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 23, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : October 14, 2014
- Cast : Patrick Stewart , James McAvoy , Hugh Jackman
- Director : Bryan Singer
- Inclusion Information : Bisexual Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of intense sci-fi violence and action, some suggestive material, nudity and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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