Marvel's first family is back—and this time, they're playing in the big leagues. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the MCU's long-awaited reboot, stormed into theaters this weekend with a stellar $32M Friday haul, putting it on track for a $125M+ opening. That's a figure eerily close to James Gunn's Superman, which debuted to the same number just months prior. Even the CinemaScore aligns: both films landed an A-, suggesting audiences are equally warm to Marvel's fresh take as they were to DC's revival.
So, how did Marvel pull this off? Simple: curiosity, casting, and course correction. After two previous misfires (we don't talk about 2015's Fant4stic), the studio smartly leaned into the reboot's grounded tone and a cast that's been generating buzz since Day 1. Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards exudes weary brilliance, Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm balances warmth and steel, and Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm brings the right kind of reckless charm. Then there's Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Thing—reportedly the emotional core, a rarity for CGI-heavy performances.
But let's not ignore the meta-narrative here. Fantastic Four has always been Marvel's trickiest property—too sci-fi for casual fans, too campy for the Dark Knight crowd. Yet, by positioning it as a cosmic-level origin story with Spielbergian wonder (those '60s-set trailers weren't an accident), Marvel has finally cracked the code. Compare that to Superman, which embraced Gunn's signature operatic sincerity but struggled to shake off the shadow of the Snyderverse.
Box Office Breakdown:
- Fantastic Four: First Steps: $32M Friday, projected $125M weekend
- Superman (2025): $31.8M Friday, $125M weekend
- CinemaScore: Both films scored an A-
The real test? Next weekend's drop. Superman held well thanks to strong word-of-mouth, but Marvel's recent track record (The Marvels, anyone?) suggests fatigue could loom. Still, if First Steps sticks the landing, we might be looking at the MCU's first genuine smash since Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Final Verdict:
Is it better than Superman? Hard to say without seeing both films twice—but the fact that we're even asking is a win for Marvel. For once, they've made Fantastic Four feel essential, not obligatory.
What's your take? Did ‘First Steps' soar or stumble? Drop your thoughts below—and if you've seen both, which debut impressed you more?
