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Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps blasts off to $218M global weekend debut as studio reclaims box office glory

Fantastic Four: First Steps collects $218 million in global box office in the opening weekend, marking a major success in getting the MCU out of slump.
posted by Sudipta Sinha
Monday 7/28/2025 at 5:02AM EDT
  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps released in theaters on July 25, 2025 (Image via YouTube/@marvel)
    The Fantastic Four: First Steps released in theaters on July 25, 2025 (Image via YouTube/@marvel)

    Matt Shakman's Fantastic Four: First Steps has soared to a global opening weekend collection of $218 million, including $118 million domestic and $100 million overseas. This marks a much-needed victory for Kevin Feige's Marvel Studios and the franchise itself, which is being rebooted for the third time on screen in live action format. The haul brings it to a similar footing with the recent $220 million worldwide box office debut of Superman, a character from DC and Warner Bros. 
     
    While early projections showed a higher domestic weekend gross at around $120 million to $125 million based on a great opening day gross of $57 million, traffic slowed more than expected on Saturday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, the film is going strong in theaters, and the numbers may soon change, despite the obvious competition it is receiving from Superman.  

    Fantastic Four: First Steps' overall early performance, which is pleasing both critics and viewers, is good news for the Disney-owned Marvel, where Feige and his team are seeking atonement following a difficult phase five (Deadpool & Wolverine being the exception). The Fantastic Four reboot is one of Marvel's best domestic releases in a long time, aside from Deadpool 3. In addition to being the 37th Marvel Cinematic Universe film to debut at the top, it also helped Disney become the first studio to sell over $3 billion worth of tickets globally in 2025.

    Box office competitors of Fantastic Four: First Steps

    In terms of the box office, it is hoped that Fantastic Four would appeal to both families and fans, which should help fight off any remaining superhero fatigue. The movie runs for 114 minutes, and is well received by both critics and viewers. On the film and television evaluation website Rotten Tomatoes, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a 92% audience score and an 88% "fresh" certification. 

    Superman, meanwhile, has crossed the $500 million mark worldwide after its third weekend. Despite Fantastic Four taking over Imax screens, it has managed to hold up well, earning $24.9 million domestically and $19.8 million internationally. By the end of Sunday, July 27, it has made $289.5 million in North America and $213.2 million abroad, for a total of $502.7 million worldwide.

    Jurassic World: Rebirth by Universal and Amblin is also celebrating. A week ago, it reached the $600 million milestone worldwide, and in its fourth weekend, it made $13 million to reach the $300 million domestic milestone.

    In yet another significant achievement, F1: The Movie from Apple Original Films soared over the $500 million milestone. The Formula One film, which Warner Bros. is distributing and promoting for Apple, came in fourth place domestically over the weekend with $6.2 million, for a total of $165.6 million. Another $20 million was added overseas, bringing the overall foreign and global totals to $344.1 million and $509.7 million, respectively.

    Plot synopsis of Fantastic Four: First Steps

    Set in the fictional neo-retro New York City of the 1960s, Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as scientific genius Reed Richards, who leads a space expedition with his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), her brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and their good friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). After their ship meets a cosmic storm, they return to Earth with their DNA changed and with superhuman abilities.

    The central narrative begins after the four have returned and achieved international fame. But there isn't time to sit back and enjoy their success. They have to go back to space after the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) visits Earth and informs them that a cosmic being called Galactus is about to destroy the planet. The information comes at a time when the team is vulnerable, with Reed and Sue becoming new parents to a baby boy. 

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    TOPICS: Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps blasts off to $218M global weekend debut as studio reclaims box office glory”, The Fantastic Four: First Steps