Complete with an astonishing $60 million opening weekend, the blockbuster made a success of Marvel’s flagship franchise while cementing the name of comic books in Hollywood’s mind. After a long line of flops like Mystery Men and the atrocious Marvel films from the late 80’s, X-Men became the first classic comic film based on a well known property. Successes like Blade, Men in Black, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films had little association with the comics, but X-Men couldn’t escape its predecessor. Because of the film’s success, numerous comic movies went on the fast track. Spider-Man went on to become the fifth highest grossing film in history while Daredevil, X-Men 2, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the Hulk will be released before July 2003. In addition, hundreds of other comic book films are in the works waiting to capitalize on the millions of movie goers who proved their loyalty with the X-Men.