X-Men: First Class Set to Stream on HBO Max from December 1

The beloved prequel film, X-Men: First Class, will be available for streaming on HBO Max starting December 1, 2025. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, this installment of the X-Men franchise serves as a backstory to the original 2000 film and features an impressive ensemble cast, including James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, and Nicholas Hoult.

Released in theaters on June 3, 2011, X-Men: First Class achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $352 million worldwide. According to Box Office Mojo, the film had a production budget of $160 million and opened with earnings of $55 million across 3,641 theaters in its debut weekend.

Critical reception has also been favorable; the film holds an 86 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews and an audience score of 87 percent. The story is set during the 1960s and explores the early days of superpowered individuals, focusing on characters Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr as they seek out others with similar abilities. However, the narrative reveals how their paths diverge.

Recently, actor Edi Gathegi, who portrayed the character Darwin, expressed his disappointment regarding the representation of his role. He described it as “a case of bad representation and missed opportunity” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Gathegi noted, “There was a lot that they could have done with that character, probably should have done with the character. I was waiting to be brought back [after First Class] because, as you know, the character doesn’t die…Every movie that came out and the character didn’t come back, it solidified that it was a misrepresentation and a missed opportunity.”

The release of X-Men: First Class on HBO Max marks a significant moment for fans of the franchise, providing an opportunity to revisit a pivotal chapter in the X-Men saga. As December approaches, viewers can look forward to streaming this iconic film and exploring the origins of their favorite characters once again.