While theX-Menmovies featured many ofMarvel’s most enduring mutants, they also featured some far less memorable characters. TheX-Menfilm franchisehas spanned over two decades, introducing countless mutants to mainstream audiences. While some characters like Wolverine, Magneto, and Mystique became cinematic icons, others faded into obscurity almost as quickly as they appeared. With such a massive ensemble cast across multiple timelines and reboots, it’s inevitable that some mutants barely left an impression.
TheX-Menfilm universe, from 2000’sX-MentoDark Phoenixin 2019, tried to juggle fan expectations, comic accuracy, and cinematic storytelling. With such a sprawling roster of characters pulled from decades of Marvel Comics, many ended up being shoehorned into scenes with little thought given to development or purpose. Some mutants were introduced purely for visual spectacle or to fill a fight scene quota, rather than being integrated meaningfully into the narrative. As a result, even recognizable names from the comics ended up reduced to forgettable extras.
10Arclight
X-Men: The Last Stand
Introduced inX-Men: The Last Stand(2006), Arclight is a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood and arguably one of the most underwritten mutants in the entire franchise. Played by Omahyra Mota, she’s easily recognizable thanks to her quiff and stoic demeanor – butthat’s about all that’s memorable. Her shockwave-generating powers in the comics were only depicted in one scene where she destroyed the humans’ plastic guns.
The rest of the movie, she’s mostly seen standing in the background or engaging in brief, unimpressive fights. There’s no personality, backstory, or even real dialogue for Arclight, making her feelmore like set dressing than an actual character. Considering how visually distinct she is, the movie could have capitalized on her presence, but instead, she’s just another generic henchwoman.
9Riptide
X-Men: First Class
Riptide appeared inX-Men: First Class(2011) as one of Sebastian Shaw’s lieutenants. Played by Álex González, Riptide has the ability to create tornadoes with his arms – something thatshould have been a visually impressive power. Unfortunately, the film gives him virtually no dialogue, no motivation, and zero personality. He’s just there to spin in place and create wind blasts when needed.
Unlike fellow villains Azazel or Emma Frost, who at least had screen presence and unique styles, Riptide fades completely into the background. He disappears after the final battle with no follow-up or explanation, despite technically surviving. Even in promotional materials and behind-the-scenes features,he’s barely mentioned. A powerful mutant reduced to a human fan, Riptide is a prime example of wasted potential in a film full of otherwise standout characters.
8Quill
X-Men: The Last Standis known for its overcrowded cast, and Quill is one of the most forgettable additions. Played by Ken Leung, Quill has a visually intriguing power – his body is covered in sharp porcupine-like quills that he can extend to impale others. Unfortunately, the filmnever explores his origins or motives, and he is given only a handful of lines.
He’s portrayed as one of Magneto’s more vicious followers, yet there’s nothing about him that stands out besides his power gimmick. His on-screen death is asabrupt and unceremonious as his entrance, robbing him of any real character arc. In the comics, similar mutants like Spyke or Marrow had complex backstories and motivations. In contrast, the film’s Quill is a generic henchman who feels like he was created solely to pad out the Brotherhood’s numbers.
7Jubilee
X-Men, X2: X-Men United & X-Men: Apocalypse
One of the most belovedX-Mencharacters in the comics andX-Men: The Animated Series, Jubileenever got her proper due on the big screen. Despite appearing in multiple films – played by different actresses inX-Men,X2, andX-Men: Apocalypse– she was always relegated to a glorified cameo. Her most substantial role came inApocalypse(2016), where Lana Condor portrayed her as a student at Xavier’s School. Still, her screen time was minimal, and her signature fireworks powers weren’t even shown.
Anyone hoping to see Jubilee’s vibrant personality, flashy abilities, or iconic yellow trench coat in actionwas left disappointed. The character had the potential to bring youthful energy and charm to the team, just like she did in the comics. Instead, she remains one of the biggest missed opportunities.
6Multiple Man
Jamie Madrox, aka Multiple Man, had the potential to be a breakout character thanks to his unique duplication powers. However,X-Men: The Last Stand(2006) squandered that chance. Played by Eric Dane, Multiple Man is introduced as a criminal recruited by Magneto’s Brotherhood. Despite his power beingvisually intriguing and offering creative possibilities, he’s used primarily as a diversion in a single scene and then disappears completely from the narrative.
There’s no development, no background, and no follow-up, making his appearance feel like a footnote. In the comics, Madrox has starred in major storylines and even led theX-Factorseries with compelling internal conflict and personality. The film version strips all that away,turning him into a generic background mutant.Considering how interesting his comic counterpart is, his forgettable film portrayal was disappointing.
5Selene
Dark Phoenix
Selene appears inDark Phoenix(2019) as one of Magneto’s allies on Genosha, but the film does almost nothing to establish her identity or powers. Played by Kota Eberhardt, she’s featured in several scenes and evenparticipates in the climactic train battle, but never receives a proper introduction or backstory. Casual viewers wouldn’t know her name unless they checked the credits.
This is a far cry from her powerful and sinister comic book counterpart. In Marvel lore, Selene is an ancient mutant sorceress and psychic vampire,a major villain who once led the Hellfire Club. None of that mythos is present inDark Phoenix. Instead, she’s reduced to a background character with no depth – another missed opportunity in a film already crowded with underdeveloped mutants.
4Red Lotus
Dark Phoenix(2019) introduced several new mutants with zero context or fanfare – Red Lotus being the most forgettable of them all. Played by Andrew Stehlin, the character is shownfighting alongside the mutants in the train sequence, using martial arts and enhanced agility. While technically based on a comic book character, Red Lotus’s name is never mentioned in the film, and his screen presence is nearly nonexistent.
In the comics, Red Lotus has ties to X-Men ally Bishop and the Australian branch of the mutant community. None of that is explored in the movie. Instead, he’s just another face in the crowd –barely more than a stunt performer with cool moves and no identity. Without dialogue, background, or any hint of who he is, Red Lotus remains one of the most forgettable additions.
3Artie Maddicks
X2: X-Men United
Artie Maddicks shows up briefly inX2: X-Men United(2003), during the scenes at Xavier’s School, but like many of the young mutants introduced in passing, he’s barely acknowledged. Played by Bryce Hodgson, Artie is mentioned by name but has no dialogue and no on-screen powers, making him quite indistinguishable from other background students. He’s only confirmed as Artie through his distinctive tongue, which makes his inclusionfeel more like an Easter egg than a legitimate role.
In the comics, Artie is a mute telepath with the ability to project mental images—an ability that could have visually stood out in a movie. Sadly, the film version offers nothing of note. Given his emotional significance in the comics,Artie’s cinematic portrayal is little more than a wasted cameo.
2Psylocke
X-Men: The Last Stand & X-Men: Apocalypse
Psylocke has had multiple appearances in theX-Menfranchise, butnone have done justice to the character’s comic book legacy. InX-Men: The Last Stand(2006), she’s reduced to a background villain with no lines and an unclear death. Her most prominent role came inX-Men: Apocalypse(2016), portrayed by Olivia Munn. While her costume and psychic blade are comic-accurate, the film gives her no character development or meaningful dialogue.
In the comics, Psylocke is a fan-favorite with a deep and complex story involving ninja training, psychic powers, and moral ambiguity.None of that is exploredin the films. Despite her iconic look and potential for dynamic storytelling, the movie version is all style, no substance – ultimately forgettable in a sea of more engaging characters.
1Warpath
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Introduced inX-Men: Days of Future Past(2014), Warpath is part of the future mutant resistance. Played by Booboo Stewart, he’s a visually imposing presence with enhanced senses and superhuman strength, but the filmgives him almost nothing to do. He’s shown briefly in the opening battle scenes, where he mostly runs, shouts, and gets killed by Sentinels.
With no backstory or meaningful lines, Warpath is reduced to just another mutant casualty. In the comics, Warpath (James Proudstar) is a richly developed character who once sought revenge for his brother’s death and later became a full-fledged member of theX-MenandX-Force. Despite beingone of the few Native American mutants in the franchise, he was given no emotional weight or screen time, making his presence inX-Menlargely forgettable.
