Marvel puts X-Men ’97 Season 1 on YouTube free before July 1

Marvel is launching a major promotional campaign for the upcoming second season of its hit animated series "X-Men '97," releasing the entire first season for free on YouTube. The episodes are being posted sequentially, one per day, with the rollout expected to conclude just before the new season premieres exclusively on Disney+ on July 1, 2026.

The strategy aims to build anticipation for the sophomore season, which will see the mutant heroes confronting the iconic villain Apocalypse across different time periods. The show, a direct continuation of the beloved 1990s "X-Men: The Animated Series," has been a critical and commercial success since its revival. Its first season holds a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and early reviews for the second season are equally positive.

The series' future appears robust. Marvel Television executive Brad Winderbaum has expressed hope that "X-Men '97" will run for at least five seasons, matching the length of the original series. The show has already been renewed for a third season.

The renewed focus on the X-Men extends beyond television. Marvel Comics has announced a new four-issue crossover series, "Alien vs. X-Men," set for release starting...