X-Men ’97 Season 2 Coming Summer 2026 with Apocalypse’s Return

The long-awaited return of Marvel’s animated universe continues as X-Men ’97 officially gets a release window: Summer 2026. The news was confirmed during New York Comic Con 2025, where fans also got a glimpse of the first trailer for Season 2 – teasing the epic comeback of the classic villain Apocalypse. While Disney and Marvel haven’t nailed down an exact release date, the creative team made it clear that the upcoming season will set up an even bigger and bolder Season 3.

Following its explosive success on Disney+, X-Men ’97 became a modern revival of the beloved 1990s animated series, blending nostalgia with sharp, mature storytelling.

Season 1 earned critical acclaim – IGN’s Jesse Schedeen rated it 9/10, calling it one of the best adaptations in Marvel’s animated history. It managed to capture the heart of longtime fans while introducing new audiences to the complex, emotional world of Marvel’s mutants.

However, not everything behind the scenes has been as smooth. The departure of showrunner Beau DeMayo sparked controversy among fans, many of whom compared his exit to other creative industry shakeups like Justin Roiland’s departure from Rick and Morty. Online discussions have been buzzing about Disney’s decision to bring in new writers after much of Season 2 was reportedly already scripted by DeMayo. Some fans worry that Marvel’s internal shakeups might impact the tone and authenticity of the upcoming seasons, while others remain hopeful that his influence on Season 2 will keep the story on track.

Despite the uncertainty, excitement remains high. With Apocalypse’s return and a massive setup promised for Season 3, fans are ready to see the X-Men face new moral conflicts and emotional arcs that push the franchise forward while honoring its legacy. Whether or not the creative turbulence affects the outcome, Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a defining moment for Marvel’s animated universe.