‘X-Men ’97’ Is Far From Over as Marvel Confirms Season 4 Development Is Already Underway
Few animated series in recent memory have captured the imagination of fans quite the way ‘X-Men ’97’ has. The Disney+ revival arrived in 2024 as a direct continuation of the beloved ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ that ran from 1992 to 1997, and it wasted no time reminding audiences why this franchise holds such a special place in pop culture. The first season debuted on Disney+ on March 20, 2024, picking up right where the original left off and earning widespread praise from critics and longtime fans alike.
The momentum has only built from there. Season 2, consisting of nine episodes, is scheduled to premiere on July 1, 2026, on Disney+, with early reviews already suggesting the show has held onto everything that made the original so compelling. Critics note that the sophomore season builds on the first’s momentum, weaving an epic tale of war stretched across three distinct and fully realized timelines. One early review awarded the season a score of 90 out of 100, calling it a series that fans of the X-Men should be pleased with for the way it naturally progresses storylines while answering old questions and asking new ones.
Now, Marvel‘s ambitions for ‘X-Men ’97’ are coming into even sharper focus. MCU Film News shared a quote from Brad Winderbaum, Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Television and Animation, teasing that the studio is actively developing both Season 3 and Season 4. In the remarks, Winderbaum expressed deep gratitude to Marvel’s leadership, saying they could not believe the level of trust and investment the studio had placed in the creative team across now three seasons, with development already beginning on a fourth.
This tracks with what Winderbaum has been signaling for months. Speaking to Collider at New York Comic-Con, Winderbaum confirmed that the show’s future extends well beyond a third season, saying directly that discussions about Seasons 4 and 5 were already underway, and that the series would not be ending after Season 3. At that same event, he gave fans an update on Season 3’s progress, revealing that he had nearly seen animatics for the entire season and described what he had seen as incredible.
The production pipeline behind the scenes reflects that confidence. Executive producer and original series director Larry Houston confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that production on Season 3 is well underway and that Marvel has already started working on Season 4. Houston also reassured fans about release schedules, saying Marvel wants everyone to know it will only be a year between seasons going forward, not the longer gap fans previously experienced.
Winderbaum addressed concerns about the show’s creative continuity following the removal of original showrunner Beau DeMayo, emphasizing that the same director, producers, cast, and many of the same writers remained in place, and that everyone working on the series knows the original animated series inside and out. That sense of stewardship, combined with the ongoing involvement of original creators Eric and Julia Lewald and Larry Houston as consultants, has given fans reason to trust the road ahead.
With Season 2 landing on Disney+ just weeks away and development stretching all the way through Season 4, ‘X-Men ’97’ is shaping up to be one of Marvel Animation’s most sustained creative commitments in years. For a show built on nostalgia, it has somehow found a way to make the future feel just as exciting as the past. Where do you think the story should take the X-Men by the time Season 4 rolls around?
