The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have found its long-awaited spark again—and it’s lit by none other than the Fantastic Four.
In a bold and promising debut, Fantastic Four: First Steps stomped into theaters with a thunderous $24.4 million in Thursday previews, snatching the crown from Superman for the biggest preview haul of 2025. The latter, which opened earlier this month, had previously set the high bar with $22.5 million.
But this time, it’s Marvel’s turn to fly high again.
A return to form?
After a string of lackluster debuts and whispers of “superhero fatigue,” First Steps has injected new life into a genre many had begun to doubt. With early projections placing its domestic weekend earnings at a hefty $100 to $110 million—and an additional $90 to $100 million internationally—Marvel may be heading toward a global launch in the ballpark of $200 million.
This is the best start the MCU has seen in over a year, outpacing the weaker openings of Captain America: Brave New World ($88.5 million) and Thunderbolts ($76 million), both of which failed to break even.
Starring Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm), the film also features Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as a sleek new version of Silver Surfer. The film’s retro-futuristic flair, inventive direction, and tighter script have resonated with critics, earning a stellar 89% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A real rivalry at the box office
Although Warner Bros.’ Superman soared to a $125 million domestic and $220 million global launch earlier this month, Fantastic Four looks poised to at least match, if not overtake, its rival in the weeks ahead. Both films carry blockbuster budgets of over $200 million and marketing campaigns rumored to top $100 million, but only Marvel’s latest seems to have the narrative momentum now.
Industry watchers are already dubbing this the “Battle of the Capes,” with First Steps winning the opening skirmish in style.
Disney’s billion-dollar boost
There’s even more reason for celebration at Disney headquarters. With the help of First Steps, the studio is set to cross $3 billion in global grosses by Friday—the first studio to do so this year. It’s a much-needed win after a rocky 2024 that left executives scrambling to reassess strategy.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has previously promised to focus more on quality than quantity, trimming down the Marvel release calendar and rethinking the reliance on Disney+ spinoffs. This Fantastic Four reboot could now serve as the template for a new era.
More than nostalgia
Unlike the Fox-era misfires, First Steps is not just banking on nostalgia. With its clean break from previous iterations and a stylish, world-building approach that blends modern visual effects with a 1960s comic book spirit, the movie feels like a fresh chapter—not just for the Fantastic Four, but for Marvel itself.
Early fan reactions have praised its balanced tone, compelling character arcs, and cosmic stakes that feel earned rather than bloated.