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

X-Men: First Class, the popular prequel directed by Matthew Vaughn, is set to debut on the streaming service HBO Max on December 1, 2025. The film, which originally hit theaters on June 3, 2011, features an ensemble cast that includes James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, and Nicholas Hoult. Upon its release, the movie garnered significant box office success and positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

The budget for X-Men: First Class was reported at $160 million. It opened to a strong collection of $55 million across 3,641 theaters during its first weekend. Overall, the film accumulated approximately $146 million in the domestic market and over $206 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to around $352 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

Critical Reception and Cultural Impact

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an impressive score of 86 percent based on critic reviews and a score of 87 percent from audience ratings. Set in the 1960s, X-Men: First Class explores the origins of superpowered individuals, focusing on the characters Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr as they seek others like themselves. However, their differing ideologies lead to a significant rift between them.

In recent discussions, Edi Gathegi, who portrayed the character Darwin, expressed concerns regarding the representation of his role. He described it as “a case of bad representation and missed opportunity.” Gathegi shared with Entertainment Weekly his disappointment over the lack of development for Darwin, stating, “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.”

As anticipation builds for its arrival on HBO Max, viewers can expect to revisit this iconic film that not only shaped the X-Men franchise but also sparked conversations about representation in Hollywood. The film’s legacy continues as new audiences discover its compelling narrative and dynamic characters.