Mutants on the Run: X-Men ’97 Season 2 Trailer Breakdown

Originally published May 27, 2026. This article breaks down the season 2 trailer for Marvel’s X-Men ’97.

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At long last, the season 2 trailer for Marvel’s smash-hit animated TV series X-Men ’97 is here! Season 2 will premiere on July 1, 2026 via Disney+. Judging by the trailer, the X-Men are in for another season full of fast-paced action and nostalgic heartbreak.

Watch the official X-Men ’97 season 2 trailer below then stick around for all the X-details on what we can expect.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t finished X-Men ’97 season 1, major spoilers below. Hope you survive the experience!

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X-Men ’97 Season 2

“We’re back, baby.”

• First Episode Premiere Date: July 1, 2026
• Number of Season 2 Episodes: 9

In the wake of Genosha, the X-Men are scattered. And thanks to a new scheme from Apocalypse, they’re also displaced throughout time. Jean Grey and Cyclops have been pushed forward into the future, 3960 AD, when young Cable is only known as Nathan and Apocalypse’s rule is at its peak. Meanwhile, the rest of the mutants are either stuck in the past or surviving in the present.

For the first part of the season, we’ll see Rogue, Magneto, Professor X, Nightcrawler, and Beast in 3000 BC Egypt. There, they meet a young Apocalypse. At this point, it’s unclear where Storm, Wolverine, and Morph end up after Asteroid M exploded.

“You fight a battle that cannot be won against the dawn of an age that cannot be stopped.”

Whether it’s past or present, Rogue is still mourning Gambit. At the end of season 1, Gambit sacrificed himself during the Genoshan genocide. There’s also a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene of Colossus holding Magik. The aftermath of Genosha will be an ongoing theme as the X-Men try to regroup across space and time.

Back in the present, Bishop and Forge are attempting to help their teammates return to the 1990s. It also looks like by the end of the season, we’ll be seeing the X-Men adopt their 2000s suits inspired by Frank Quitely’s artwork in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men books.

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Who’s Returning in X-Men ’97 Season 2?

“This isn’t just about us. It’s about everyone we’ve lost.”

• Returning Characters: Storm, Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Magneto, Professor X, Nightcrawler, Beast, Bishop, Forge, Jubilee, Sunspot, Cable
• New Characters: Polaris, Archangel, Psylocke, Exodus, Danger
• New Teams: X-Force, X-Factor

With most of the X-Men in the past and the future, the mutants left in the present day must fight against rising intolerance. New teams are popping up, namely Cable’s X-Force (including Jubilee, Sunspot, Archangel, and Psylocke) as well as the government-sanctioned X-Factor (Polaris, Havok, Multiple Man, Strong Guy, and Wolfsbane, with Val Cooper tied in).

This season, Polaris looks like she’ll be getting more spotlight. From a few photographs, we can see that she’s positioned as a founding member of the X-Men’s secondary lineup, and a close friend to Storm and Jean Grey. Plus, Psylocke and Archangel’s appearances promise even further dips into fan-favorite team lore — though you can never be too sure who’s who, as Morph’s Deadpool cameo reminds us.

“The X-Men … I must strike them at their most vulnerable: the 1990s.”

Over in the villains’ corner, Apocalypse looks to be the season’s big bad. A hieroglyphic mural hints that he might be trying to recreate his infamous plot from The Twelve, though it’s also still a mystery who he’ll choose to be among his Four Horsemen. In addition to En Sabah Nur, Exodus is seen fighting Nightcrawler and Morph (as Deadpool) squares up against a Brood. Only time will tell how Danger, a sentient embodiment of the Danger Room, aligns herself in the show.

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Ahead of the season 2 premiere, fans can also check out the X-Men ’97 Season Two comic book series, which will bridge the gap between the TV seasons. Will you be watching X-Men ’97 season 2? What are your predictions?

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