Marvel's animated revival X-Men '97 is back for a second season, and early reviews are in—they're nothing short of spectacular. The show, which returns to Disney+ on July 1, has already notched a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 critic reviews. That's a rare feat for any series, let alone a sophomore outing, and it sets a new benchmark for Marvel's streaming offerings.
Critics are unanimous in their praise. Aidan Kelly of Collider gave the season an 8/10, highlighting the "beautiful animation" and the show's take on the classic villain Apocalypse. Nicholas Brooks at CBR went even higher with a 9/10, applauding the "higher stakes" while noting that the series might be "too violent for young children." Simon Gallagher of ComicBook.com echoed the sentiment, saying the season "mostly continues the good work of the first season."
This comes after Season 1 became the highest-rated Marvel project in history, so expectations were sky-high. Marvel showed immense confidence by lifting the review embargo two full weeks before the premiere—a move that has clearly paid off. The studio is riding a wave of success, with other recent hits like Wonder Man and Daredevil: Born Again also earning strong reviews and renewals.
For fans wondering if the hype is real, the answer appears to be a resounding yes. X-Men '97 Season 2 not only maintains the quality of its predecessor but arguably improves upon it. The animation is more fluid, the storylines are more ambitious, and the villain—Apocalypse—is being hailed as one of the best Marvel has brought to screen in years.
If you haven't caught up yet, the first season is available to stream now on Disney+. And while you wait for July 1, you might want to check out some other animated gems. For instance, our list of The Most Charming Disney Animated Villains, Ranked is a fun way to pass the time.
Looking ahead, Marvel has plenty more in store. Vision Quest is set to premiere on October 14, bringing back Paul Bettany as the synthezoid alongside James Spader's Ultron and Faran Tahir's Raza. That show will follow Vision as he pieces his memory back together—a premise that promises to be as emotional as it is action-packed.
But for now, all eyes are on the mutants. X-Men '97 Season 2 is shaping up to be a must-watch event, and with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, it's clear that Marvel's animated universe is in excellent hands. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this is one season you won't want to miss.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on X-Men '97 and all your favorite Marvel shows. And if you're in the mood for more streaming recommendations, don't miss our piece on Why 'In the Flesh' Is the Most Underrated Zombie Series You Need to Stream.
