On the weekend of its release in late July 2025, Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps led the box office with an impressive $117.6 million domestic opening, exceeding many industry expectations and marking one of the biggest debuts of the year. Globally, the film quickly amassed a total of approximately $216.7 million in its opening weekend, combining U.S., Canada, and international ticket sales to solidify itself as a major summer blockbuster.

The movie’s strong opening included a remarkable $24.4 million from Thursday night previews alone, the biggest preview box office of 2025 so far, surpassing even Superman which opened two weeks earlier. On its first day, Fantastic Four: First Steps earned $57 million, ranking as the second-highest opening day gross of the year behind the Minecraft Movie. This robust start proved the continuing appeal of Marvel’s takes on the iconic superhero family, which returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after previous incarnations with mixed box office success.

Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film has been praised for its fresh take on the first family of Marvel comics. Audiences and critics alike awarded it positive reviews, with an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- rating from Cinemascore surveys, reflecting generally favorable reception to the cast’s performances and the movie’s engaging story and effects.

Despite the strong launch, the film faced a notable 66% drop in domestic box office revenue in its second weekend, collecting $40 million. This decline was steeper than anticipated by industry analysts, who predicted a 55-60% falloff. For comparison, DC’s Superman had a 53% drop during its second weekend. However, Fantastic Four: First Steps remained the number one film at the domestic box office in its second week, showing resilience in a competitive marketplace.

Internationally, the film posted $170.3 million as part of a worldwide gross nearing $370 million by early August 2025, with strong holds in markets like the United Kingdom and Ireland. This has positioned the film to surpass previous Fantastic Four movies in total earnings and sets a hopeful trajectory toward $400 million globally by the end of its theatrical run.

Industry experts underscore the significance of Fantastic Four: First Steps as Marvel Studios’ Phase Six opener, arriving after a couple of recent box office disappointments for the studio. Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations noted, “Fantastic Four has never been a premier Marvel franchise,” but highlighted that its release is a “lead-up to Avengers. That’s where the real payoff lies,” referencing the upcoming major MCU entries scheduled for 2026 and beyond.

Marvel and its parent company Disney will be closely watching the film’s continuing performance, hoping it can help regain consistent blockbuster momentum. While not a runaway smash, the film’s initial financial success, critical approval, and audience engagement suggest it has reinvigorated interest in Marvel’s flagship characters and storylines.

In summary, Fantastic Four: First Steps leads this summer’s box office with a commanding $100+ million opening weekend domestically and a $216.7 million global launch. Its strong start and ongoing international appeal indicate a promising future for the franchise as it aims to cement its position within the MCU’s evolving narrative. Audiences can expect the film to continue its theatrical run, with box office analysts monitoring whether it reaches or surpasses $400 million worldwide. The movie’s performance also sets the stage for Marvel’s critical Phase Six slate culminating in the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday in 2026