It's been a tough few years for Marvel Studios, largely because they've expanded the MCU to streaming after previously focusing solely on theatrical releases.
The likes of WandaVision and Loki have received rave reviews, only for some Disney+ titles - Secret Invasion and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, for example - to receive a mixed response from fans and critics alike. X-Men '97, however, has been a bona fide hit for Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation.
Now, Rotten Tomatoes has confirmed that the X-Men: The Animated Series revival is currently the highest-rated TV show released in 2024. Yes, we're only a few short months into the year, but this is an impressive achievement.
With a perfect 100% score, X-Men '97 has topped the likes of Shōgun (99%), American Nightmare (96%), The Tourist (95%), Curb Your Enthusiasm (95%), and True Detective: Night Country (92%).
"Our guiding principle was to try to revive our memories of this thing," Marvel Studios streaming boss Brad Winderbaum said in a recent interview about their approach to X-Men '97. "And let me tell you, every single person that worked on this show, it's not just like they're fans of the X-Men: they hold the X-Men very deeply in their heart, and particularly The Animated Series."
"You bond to these characters so quickly because you have nostalgia for them," he added. "Or if you're a new fan, it's like they just pop off the screen. They're so archetypal, their relationships make sparks right away."
A new critics TV spot for X-Men '97 has also been released which you can watch in the X post below.
In our review of the show's first three episodes last week, we concluded by saying, "A triumphant return for X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men '97 is an eXtraordinary epic which, while a little overreliant on nostalgia, should satisfy fans of the original show and serve as an eXcellent entry poin
X-Men '97 revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
The first two episodes of X-Men '97 are now streaming on Disney+ with new instalments following weekly.