Fantastic Four: First Steps – A Triumphant Rebirth for Marvel’s First Family
Published On: July 27th, 2025
After years of anticipation and multiple failed attempts, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally arrived, and it’s proving to be the shot in the arm the MCU desperately needed. With a stellar box office debut, glowing critical reception, and passionate fan responses, the film is positioning itself as one of the most significant superhero releases of 2025. More than just a financial success, First Steps represents a creative course correction for Marvel, proving that character-driven storytelling, respect for the source material, and a bold aesthetic vision can still resonate in an era of superhero fatigue.
Box office dominance: A strong start
Fantastic Four: First Steps opened with a thunderous $57 million domestic haul on Friday, with previews factored in, securing the second-biggest opening day of 2025, just behind A Minecraft Movie ($57.11M) and ahead of DC’s Superman ($56.1M). Projections now place its three-day domestic opening between $120M-$125M, which would mark Marvel’s best non-Deadpool & Wolverine debut since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.
Internationally, the film has already grossed $49.2M through Friday, with strong performances in Mexico ($6.2M), the UK ($5.7M), France ($3.5M), Brazil ($2.6M), and Italy ($2.4M). Its global opening is tracking toward $220M-$230M, outpacing initial estimates and easily outperforming recent MCU entries like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*.
What makes this performance particularly noteworthy is how it contrasts with Marvel’s recent struggles. Outside of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), the studio has faced diminishing returns, with The Marvels (2023) becoming the MCU’s first outright bomb, and this year’s other movies failing to turn a profit. First Steps, however, is breaking the trend, suggesting that audiences are still eager for superhero films when they’re done right.
Critical and fan reception: "Marvel firing on all cylinders"
Critics have overwhelmingly praised First Steps as a return to form for Marvel. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 93% audience score and glowing reviews, with many calling it "one of the best things Marvel has ever made." Many highlight its retro-futuristic aesthetic, stellar cast chemistry, and emotional core, with Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm being singled out as a standout.
Fans, too, have embraced the film, with many declaring it the definitive on-screen adaptation of Marvel’s First Family. Social media reactions laud its faithfulness to the comics, the dynamic between Reed (Pedro Pascal), Sue (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny (Joseph Quinn), and Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and the thrilling yet character-driven spectacle.
Why this film works, and what it means for Marvel
First Steps distinguishes itself from previous Fantastic Four adaptations (and recent MCU entries) in several key ways:
- Respect for the characters: Unlike the 2005 and 2015 films, which leaned too heavily into comedy or grimdark tones, First Steps embraces the team’s familial bonds and Silver Age optimism. Deciding to skip the origin story and drop audiences into an already-established dynamic pays off, allowing for richer character development
- Standalone storytelling: Unlike recent MCU films bogged down by continuity, First Steps exists in its own universe (Earth-828), making it accessible to newcomers while rewarding longtime fans
- Balancing spectacle with heart: While the film delivers cosmic-scale action (including a visually stunning Galactus), its emotional stakes—Reed and Sue’s impending parenthood, Ben’s struggle with his transformation—keep the story grounded
The bigger picture: Can First Steps revitalize superhero cinema?
2025 has been a pivotal year for comic book movies. DC’s Superman was a hit because it embraced classic superheroism, and now Fantastic Four is proving that audiences still crave sincerity and innovation in the genre. For Marvel, this could mark a turning point. After years of interconnected storytelling fatigue, First Steps demonstrates that self-contained, character-first narratives can succeed, which is a lesson Kevin Feige seems to be taking to heart as the MCU heads toward Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.
Financially, if First Steps maintains strong legs, bolstered by its A- CinemaScore, it could finish as one of 2025’s top-grossing films, potentially crossing $600M-$700M worldwide, a much-needed win for Disney after recent underperformers.
For fans like myself, who have waited decades for a worthy Fantastic Four film, First Steps is more than just a box office success—it’s a vindication. By honoring the spirit of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s creation, Marvel has shown that superhero films can still inspire wonder, excitement, and emotional depth. If this is the future of the MCU, then perhaps the best is yet to come.