When Does the Film "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016) Take Place?
"X-Men: Apocalypse" is a historical fiction superhero film written by Simon Kinberg with Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris, and Bryan Singer [adapting "X-Factor" #24-#25 (1987) by Louise Simonson] that released May 18th, 2016. So when is "X-Men: Apocalypse" set?
It takes place on an alternate timeline of the fictional Marvel Cinematic Universe in the year:
We know this because at the start of the first scene after the film's prologue, a time and place setting title card reading "OHIO, 1983" appears over the footage.
1983 AD
We know this because at the start of the first scene after the film's prologue, a time and place setting title card reading "OHIO, 1983" appears over the footage.
Furthermore, halfway through the film, the teen mutant characters go out to see "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983) at a theater with it advertised on the marquee behind them. That film premiered in theaters on May 25th, 1983 AD. So it must be during or after May of 1983 AD at this point.
Finally, the film begins with a prologue immediately labeled with a time and place setting title card of its own: "NILE VALLEY, 3600 BCE". It's a fictionalized version of Ancient Egypt in 3600 BC.
It is a chronologically early film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second-earliest chronological film featuring the X-Men characters [third counting the time travel parts of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014)].
