X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) masterfully blended the original X-Men cast with their younger counterparts in a thrilling time-travel narrative. Considered the franchise's peak, the film follows Wolverine's consciousness sent back to 1973 to prevent a catastrophic future where Sentinels hunt mutants to near extinction. Its clever plot connected two generations of mutants while delivering spectacular action sequences, particularly Quicksilver's Pentagon kitchen scene. The film balanced emotional depth with blockbuster spectacle, successfully resetting the X-Men timeline while addressing themes of persecution and hope. Its critical and commercial success demonstrated how superhero films could tackle complex ideas without sacrificing entertainment value.