Marvel Animation is bringing more than a dozen superheroes from the Fox live-action X-Men films into X-Men ‘97 Season 2 when it arrives on Disney Plus in Summer 2026. The first season was a major hit among critics and fans, earning high viewership and praise for its faithful continuation of the classic 1990s animated series. Season 2 will pick up immediately after the dramatic cliffhanger that scattered the team across different points in time.

Where Did X-Men ‘97 Season 1 Leave the Team?

Season 1 ended with the group split into multiple timelines. Magneto, Professor X, Rogue, Nightcrawler, and Beast were transported to ancient Egypt, where they encountered a young Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur). Meanwhile, Cyclops and Jean Grey were thrown into the future, where they met a teenage Nathan Summers.

As confirmed by Screen Rant during the Marvel Animation panel, Season 2 will continue these storylines while expanding the roster with familiar faces from the Fox universe, effectively bridging the gap between animation and live-action lore.

Which Classic Fox Characters Will Feature in the New Season?

Cyclops remains central to the story, both in the future timeline and as a long-standing leader of the team. Wolverine will also return, with Season 2 expected to explore his more “feral” side after losing his Adamantium at the hands of Magneto—a direct adaptation of the 1993 Fatal Attractions comic arc.

Jean Grey will continue her journey in the future while also dealing with the presence of her clone, Madelyne Pryor. Storm, Rogue, and Professor X are all confirmed to return as well.

Gambit, who seemingly died in the Genosha massacre in Season 1, is heavily expected to be revived by Apocalypse. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Season 1 post-credits scene teased Remy LeBeau returning as Death, one of Apocalypse’s Four Horsemen.

Which Other Fox X-Men Are Joining the Animated Series?

Several other characters made famous by the Fox movies are confirmed or teased to appear. The roster is expected to include:

• Colossus and Psylocke
• Archangel and Multiple Man
• Havok and Polaris

Each of these characters fits naturally into the time-travel-heavy plot, connecting decades of X-Men adaptations and introducing fresh dynamics for the animated series.

How Do Their Fox Movie Histories Influence Their Return?

Most of these characters were major parts of Fox’s films. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey, and Anna Paquin’s Rogue defined the franchise for over two decades.

Actors like Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and Ben Foster (Angel) left a lasting impression that X-Men ’97 seeks to honor. Many of these actors are even returning in upcoming MCU titles such as Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday, making their animated appearances feel even more timely for the “Multiverse Saga.”

What Can Fans Expect From Season 2?

Season 2 is expected to reunite the scattered team, explore the rise of Apocalypse, and expand the X-Men universe with legacy characters. Rumors from Variety suggest the team may even adopt the black-and-yellow “Grant Morrison” style suits as they face off against the new world order.

With larger stakes, new alliances, and a deeper dive into comic-accurate storytelling, X-Men ‘97 Season 2 is shaping up to be one of Marvel Animation’s most ambitious projects yet, proving that the X-Men are once again the center of the Marvel universe.