Fantastic Four: First Steps Was a Flop. Will it Find Its Audience on Disney Plus?
Marvel's ambitious reboot, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, arrived with cosmic fanfare but crashed at the box office, sparking debates about superhero fatigue and the MCU's trajectory.
Despite a stellar cast—Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm—and a unique retro-futuristic vibe, the film grossed just $491.9 million worldwide against a $200 million budget.
While profitable on paper, its performance pales next to MCU heavy-hitters, especially with DC's Superman soaring past $600 million in the same summer slot. As Phase Six opener, this stumble raises red flags for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Yet, history shows streaming can resurrect underdogs—could Disney Plus turn First Steps into a cult favorite, paving the way for a stronger sequel?
Here’s the TL;DR…
Fantastic Four: First Steps grossed $491.9M worldwide, modest against its $200M budget and MCU expectations.
Opened big with $117.6M but dropped 66% in week two, signaling audience fatigue.
DC's Superman outshined it, crossing $600M globally in the same release window.
MCU faces Phase Six troubles, with other 2025 films underperforming too.
Disney Plus debut expected late October 2025; digital release in late September.
History shows flops like Batman Begins, Dune, and Encanto found success on home release/streaming.
Positive audience score (89% RT) suggests potential cult status once it streams.
How Much Did Fantastic Four: First Steps Make at the Box Office?
The film opened to $117.6 million domestically but plummeted 66% in week two, ending with $258.7 million U.S. and $233.2 million international.
That’s underwhelming for an MCU tentpole expected to hit $700-800 million.
Did DC's Superman Steal Its Spotlight?
DC's Superman (July 11, 2025) raked in $606 million globally, dominating the superhero summer and siphoning audiences with its fresh take on the Man of Steel.
David Corenswet’s charismatic Clark Kent and glowing reviews (92% Rotten Tomatoes) made it the seventh-highest grosser of 2025, highlighting DC’s resurgence under James Gunn.
Is the MCU Facing Superhero Fatigue?
The stumble signals trouble for Phase Six, with fatigue evident after mixed 2024-2025 releases.
It could jeopardize buildup to Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Secret Wars (2027).
Can Disney Plus Save Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Like Batman Begins (2005, modest $373 million gross leading to The Dark Knight’s $1 billion via home video buzz) or Dune (2021’s $402 million box office exploded on HBO Max, boosting Part Two to $711 million), First Steps might gain legs on Disney Plus.
Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps transports viewers to a 1960s-inspired alternate Earth where the team is already a celebrity quartet, four years post-cosmic accident.
The plot centers on Reed and Sue’s impending parenthood amid a galactic threat from Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal). It’s a blend of family drama and space opera, with standout practical effects, Michael Giacchino’s upbeat score, and cameos like Paul Walter Hauser’s Mole Man adding whimsy.
At 115 minutes, it earns an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes for character depth but draws flak for rushed pacing and CGI hiccups.
Why Did Fantastic Four: First Steps Struggle in Theaters?
The numbers tell a grim tale. Previewing at $24.4 million, the film’s $117.6 million domestic bow was solid—the biggest MCU opener of 2025—but a steep 66% drop to $40 million in week two screamed “fatigue.”
Analysts blame the July 25 release clashing with Superman’s July 11 debut, which amassed $606 million worldwide. Superman’s success, paired with Marvel’s post-Endgame malaise, left little room for First Steps to thrive.
International hauls struggled too, with China contributing modestly amid stiff competition from local blockbusters.
What Does This Mean for the MCU’s Future?
This flop isn’t isolated; 2025’s MCU slate, including Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million) and Thunderbolts (under $300 million projected), shows cracks in the armor.
Phase Six, meant to crescendo into multiverse mayhem with Secret Wars, now faces scrutiny. Bob Iger’s Disney has dialed back output, but First Steps’ underperformance—barely topping the 2005 Fantastic Four’s $333 million adjusted—raises questions about whether Marvel’s First Family can anchor the saga.
Critics like Polygon argue it’s a “Doomsday problem,” with audiences craving innovation over formula.
Could Streaming Turn Fantastic Four: First Steps Into a Hit?
Disney Plus typically adds MCU films 90-100 days post-theater, eyeing late October 2025 for First Steps. Digital drops September 23-30 at $29.99 to buy and $24.99 to rent.
History favors redemption:
Batman Begins (2005) exploded on DVD, paving way for The Dark Knight’s billion-dollar run.
Dune (2021) struggled in theaters but dominated HBO Max, fueling a hit sequel.
Encanto (2021) underperformed theatrically but became a streaming phenomenon.
The Suicide Squad (2021), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), and even Fight Club (1999) all found second lives through home viewing.
For First Steps, streaming could amplify its strengths—heartfelt family bonds, visual flair, and standalone appeal—drawing casual viewers who skipped theaters. Positive audience scores (89% RT) suggest potential, especially with no multiverse prerequisites.
If it trends like WandaVision or Loki, it might hype a sequel, rumored for Phase Seven.
Marvel’s pivot to quality over quantity could help, but failure here risks Secret Wars’ stakes. As fans await the stream, First Steps might prove flops aren’t fatal—just detours to bigger horizons.
Sources
Box Office Mojo: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) (updated August 28, 2025)
The Numbers: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Box Office and Financial Information (updated August 28, 2025)
Wikipedia: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (updated August 28, 2025)
Screen Rant: Fantastic Four Box Office: Disney's New Domestic Milestone (August 23, 2025)
Reddit r/marvelstudios: Disney's The Fantastic Four: First Steps grossed an estimated $5.8M… (August 24, 2025)
Hollywood Reporter: Superman First Superhero Pic of Year to Fly Past $600M at Box Office (August 22, 2025)
Box Office Mojo: Superman (2025) (updated August 28, 2025)
Wikipedia: Superman (2025 film) (updated August 28, 2025)
Screen Rant: Superman Joins Elite Superhero Movie Box Office Chart (August 27, 2025)
The Ringer: Marvel Needs a Fantastic Start to Phase 6 of Its Cinematic Universe (July 23, 2025)