‘Deadpool & Wolverine’: Every movie referenced and where you can watch them online

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movie Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine was released to great fanfare on July 26, 2024. Filled from start to finish with clever callbacks, cameos, and easter eggs, the movie has been a Marvel nerd’s wet dream and made wetter by being the first proper X-Men movie to take place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

There are loads out on the web about the cameos and easter eggs in the movie. So, instead, we’re going to discuss every film we’ve caught referenced in Deadpool & Wolverine and where you can watch them. 

One last warning: this article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine, so skip this if you don’t want it spoiled!

Movies referenced in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

Logan (2017)

Where to watch: Disney+

Wolverine co-leads in Deadpool & Wolverine, but the character died in 2017’s Logan. So, what gives? Well, long story short, multiverse shenanigans.

Wolverine is revealed to be the anchor being on Earth 100005, and his death in Logan leads to its impending destruction, which sets Deadpool & Wolverine in motion. Deadpool tries to save his universe by bringing Wolverine back, convinced Wolverine can’t really be dead—because, hey, regenerative powers! 

Deadpool only finds Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton in the grave, and after a fight with the TVA, he goes on a universe-hopping montage where he meets many Wolverine variants and brings one back (the “worst” one, no less) to his universe. Wolverine’s daughter, X-23, who plays a vital role in Logan, is also prominently featured in Deadpool & Wolverine. 

Logan is available on Disney+ libraries worldwide, including in regions where Disney+ Hotstar is available instead.

The X-Men film series (2000-2020) 

Where to watch: Disney+

The X-Men movies have played a significant role in ushering superheroes into the mainstream. After all, these are the films that gave the world Hugh Jackman as Wolverine! The franchise has had its ups and downs, ending with a whimper in 2020’s The New Mutants.

In the lead-up to Deadpool & Wolverine, many fans anticipated the return of fan-favorite X-Men characters, but none of them showed up. There’s an in-universe reason for this! In Logan, which takes place on Deadpool’s Earth 100005, it is implied that Professor X’s deteriorating mind led to the accidental killing of the X-Men. The X-Men from the new Wolverine’s universe are also all dead, slaughtered by a mob. The guilt that ravages Wolverine makes for a significant arc for the character in the movie.

While the main X-Men never appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, their shadow looms large over the film. With highly raved films like X2 and X-Men: Days of Future Past, the X-Men franchise is a must-watch for superhero fans. All the X-Men movies are available on Disney Plus, helpfully grouped in a “X-Men Collection.” 

Deadpool (2016-2024) 

Where to watch: Disney+

It is a Deadpool movie, so of course, it will have callbacks to the previous movies in the franchise. Many characters return, and events from past films are referenced. This writer’s favorite? Deadpool uses his disastrous X-Force team as an example of a team he’s led when auditioning for a spot on the Avengers. Sadly, Cable and Domino don’t show up in Deadpool & Wolverine.

The Deadpool movies are streaming on Disney+ globally. 

Fantastic Four (2005-2007)

Where to watch: Disney+

In a brilliant bait-and-switch, Chris Evans appears in Deadpool & Wolverine not as Captain America but as the Human Torch, reprising his role from the Fantastic Four movies. It’s an extended cameo played for laughs, and be sure to stay for the post-credit sequence for a hilarious monologue that Chris Evans says he delivered without any prompting.

The Fantastic Four movies might not be top-tier superhero movies, but they’re worth a watch as early entries just before the superhero boom took off. And come on, Chris Evans as the Human Torch before he became Captain America? That alone makes them worth checking out! You can stream both Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer on Disney+.

Blade (1998-2004) 

Where to watch: Max, HBO Go, NOW, Foxtel Now

Wesley Snipes reprises his role as Blade 20 years later in Deadpool & Wolverine; even at 62, Snipes still rocks it as Blade. 

In their efforts to defeat Cassandra Nova and leave the void, Blade is part of the team that Deadpool and Wolverine link up with. It’s an extended cameo, with many callbacks to the original films, including Snipes saying the now iconic line, “Some motherf**kers still tryna ice skate uphill.” The movie even takes a jab at the troubled MCU Blade movie, with Snipes declaring that there will only ever be “one Blade.” 

Did you know that Wesley Snipes and Ryan Reynolds both starred in 2004’s Blade Trinity? While that film was much criticized and put the character on ice, that relationship likely paved the way for Blade’s appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine. 

The Blade movies, especially the first two, are considered some of the most notable superhero movies of the turn of the century. You can watch them on Max in Latin America, HBO Go in Asia, NOW in Europe, and Foxtel Now in Australia.

Elektra (2005) 

Where to watch: Max, Disney+

Elektra may not be a good movie, but the character gets to redeem herself in Deadpool &Wolverine. It is heavily implied that she is the leader of the rebel group that includes Blade, X-23, and Gambit, and leads the group into a showdown with Cassandra Nova and her goons. Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra in the movie.

Elektra is available to stream on Max in the U.S. and on Disney+ everywhere else.

Daredevil (2003)

Where to watch: Disney+

Well, this one is more of an honorable mention. Daredevil himself does not appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, but it is revealed that he died at the hands of Cassandra Nova. So, why even mention this movie that barely anyone remembers fondly? 

Ben Affleck plays Daredevil in the 2003 film, and his love interest is Elektra, played by his now ex-wife Jennifer Garner. In a layered jab that cuts deep into the film history of the two characters and the real-life history of the actors, Elektra shrugs off Daredevil’s death in the movie, saying it doesn’t matter when Deadpool offers his condolences. Ouch.

Loki Season 1 (2021) 

Where to watch: Disney+

In the Disney+ series Loki, we’re introduced to the Time Variance Authority (TVA), a task force that protects the “sacred timeline” and prevents the existence of “dangerous” timelines. Deadpool’s efforts to save his universe by jumping through universes bring him head-to-head with the TVA, who “prune” him, sending him to the void where most of the movie takes place. 

Loki also introduces us to Alioth, a being who lives in the void, gobbling everything up in its path. In Deadpool & Wolverine, it is revealed that Cassandra Nova offers people to Alioth as a sacrifice to continue living in the void. Loki himself doesn’t make an appearance in the movie.

The Avengers (2012)

Where to watch: Disney+

In Deadpool & Wolverine, there are several nods to the Avengers, but one standout moment is a fun reference to 2012’s The Avengers. After the film’s final battle, Deadpool and Wolverine sit down to enjoy shawarma—a playful homage to the iconic post-credits scene from The Avengers that fans will instantly recognize.

The Avengers and every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie are streaming on Disney+ globally.

The Proposal (2009)

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+

Aside from Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds’s most iconic role might just be Andrew Paxton from The Proposal—though, let’s be honest, nobody really remembers his character’s name, just him. In Deadpool & Wolverine, a Deadpool variant called Nicepool takes the fourth-wall-breaking antics to gooft levels. He stares straight into the camera and says, “The Proposal.” It’s a hilariously bad gag, not only because of the awkward timing but also because it’s Nicepool’s ridiculous attempt to prove to Deadpool that they’re more alike than he realizes.

The Proposal is streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ everywhere else.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) 

Where to watch: Max, HBO Go, NOW, Netflix, Prime Video

After tumbling into the void and battling each other, Deadpool and Wolverine soon find themselves up against Cassandra Nova’s goons—featuring familiar X-Men foes like Sabertooth and Pyro. These villains make a dramatic entrance, Mad Max-style, roaring in on loud motorbikes and massive, heavily modified vehicles crafted from scrap. In a sequence that echoes the adrenaline-fueled chase from Mad Max: Fury Road, Deadpool, Wolverine, and the Human Torch are captured and escorted to Cassandra Nova by the convoy. 

Mad Max: Fury Road is streaming on Max in the U.S., HBO Go in Asia, NOW in the UK, and on Netflix and Prime Video in select countries like Australia and New Zealand.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Where to watch: Paramount Plus

In the film’s climactic moment, Wolverine steps up to sacrifice himself to destroy the time shredder and stop Cassandra Nova. But Deadpool locks himself in the chamber instead, taunting Wolverine from behind the glass. As Deadpool nervously jokes about being the one to make the ultimate sacrifice, the scene parodies Spock’s self-sacrifice in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is streaming in all regions where Paramount Plus is available.

Batman (1989)

Where to watch: Max, HBO Go, Netflix, NOW

Wolverine finally dons his comic accurate yellow suit in Deadpool & Wolverine, which Deadpool wastes no time in bringing attention to. In one of the many quips, Deadpool jokes that Wolverine can turn his neck in his suit, which is in reference to a now-famous joke about Michael Keaton’s stiff Batman suit. Surprisingly, Deadpool doesn’t joke about how Wolverine’s mask looks like two Batmans kissing—a joke popularized by memes.

Watch Batman turn his whole upper torso to look around in Batman (1989) on Max in the U.S., HBO Go in Asia, and Foxtel Now or Binge in Australia.

Black Adam (2022) 

Where to watch: Max, HBO Go, NOW, Netflix, Prime Video

Fan casting came true when Henry Cavill made a surprise cameo as a Wolverine variant in Deadpool & Wolverine. Though it’s a quick moment during the universe-jumping montage, Deadpool makes it count with a cheeky line: “Don’t worry, we’ll treat you better than the other guys.”

This jab is a direct reference to DC’s messy handling of Cavill’s Superman, where he was sidelined for a while, teased with a brief return in Black Adam, only for Cavill to announce his official comeback, then get fired just a week later.

Watch the widely panned Black Adam on Max in the U.S., HBO Go in Asia, NOW in the UK, and on Netflix and Prime Video in select countries like Singapore and Mexico.

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The complete list of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ cameos

A big reason Deadpool & Wolverine received so much hype and fanfare is because of the countless cameos in the movie. Characters from movies old and new make brief and sometimes extended appearances in the movie. Here are all the cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine:

• Dafne Keen as X-23
• Tyler Mane as Sabertooth
• Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15
• Aron Stanford as Pyro
• Jason Flemyng as Azazel
• Henry Cavill as Wolverine (aka The Cavillrine)
• Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool
• Channing Tatum as Gambit
• Chris Evans as The Human Torch
• Wesley Snipes as Blade
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor
• Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan
• Matthew McConaughey as Cowboy Deadpool
• Stan Lee as himself
• Peggy (aka Britain’s Ugliest Dog) as Dogpool
• The Hulk (specifically, his fist)

Did we miss any cameos or movies referenced in Deadpool & Wolverine? Let us know in the comments!