For years, the Fantastic Four were the elusive prize of superhero cinema, a team trapped in misfires, studio headaches, and near-mythical flops. But now, Marvel Studios has finally brought the First Family home in a way that’s both thrilling and fresh.
The Fantastic Four have always been the MCU’s white whale. From decades of stalled projects to ill-fated adaptations, fans wondered if Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben would ever get a proper big-screen treatment. Even Roger Corman’s unreleased ’90s B-movie became a cult legend, remembered only through grainy clips and a documentary.
That was before Disney came aboard, and the duology of the early 2000s starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis tried to recreate that magic, but the films simply fell flat amidst Nolan’s Batman Begins and the nascent Marvel Cinematic Universe. Earnest, maybe. Cartoonish, yes.
Then came 2015’s reboot by Josh Trank film so troubled by studio interference and tonal chaos that Trank publicly disowned it. Critics crushed it, audiences rejected it, and the movie limped away with a Razzie and a 9% Rotten Tomatoes score, leaving the franchise in desperate need of a reboot.
The Disney-Fox deal finally returned the Fantastic Four to Marvel Studios. Kevin Feige further explained, “Why Fantastic Four? Because it’s Marvel’s first family. They deserve to be A-listers.” With rights residing in-house, Marvel was allowed no one else had yet: to make the team truly compelling.
Director Matt Shakman and Marvel swung big with Fantastic Four: First Steps. Ditching concerns over MCU continuity, they introduced Phase Six via a retro-futuristic 1960s alternate timeline. No awkward explanations about missing major events, just a team already established and dealing with cosmic threats.
Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben have already overcome classic foes like Giganto and Mole Man. Now, the planet-devouring force known as Galactus and his mysterious Herald, the Silver Surfer, awaits them. The family dynamic is also covered in this film as Reed and Sue welcome their baby, Franklin, while stopping a world catastrophe.
The casting of the film is a dream of fans: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and Julia Garner as Silver Surfer. The premiere screened on Disney+ live from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, giving viewers immediate access to an event.
Reception has gone overwhelmingly positive, with critics and fans alike hailing First Steps as the best MCU movie since Endgame. Performances from Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn were praised, but the chemistry between Pascal and Kirby brought the heart of the family to life.
Visually, the film is stunning as IMAX audiences marvel at Galactus’s scale and cosmic sequences. Michael Giacchino’s score really elevates the action and emotional beats, balancing out thrilling spectacle with real humor and heart.
First Steps opened strong with $117.6 million, though it dropped 66% in its second weekend, a normal pattern for superhero poles. Domestic totals near $200 million and a $368.7 million global haul mark a crucial win for Marvel Studios. With Dr. Doom looming, the First Family sets the tone for Phase Six and the next Avengers saga.
After false starts spanning decades, the Fantastic Four have finally arrived, revitalized and spectacular. First Steps proves Marvel can balance cosmic action, family drama, and heart, making the First Family a worthy anchor for the MCU’s next chapter.