If there’s one Marvel movie built to test whether the MCU can still pack theaters, it’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. With Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach re-introducing Marvel’s “First Family,” the film arrived with a swirl of tracking, teaser drops, and fan chatter about its retro-futuristic vibe. Here’s how the pre-release predictions stacked up against reality—and what the early buzz tells us about its long-term box office journey.
Pre-Release Predictions: A Solid Start Expected
Before its release, industry tracking reports suggested a domestic opening between $100 million and $125 million. This optimistic forecast was based on several factors:
Strong cast appeal – Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby have been fan favorites in recent blockbusters.
Fresh reboot energy – After previous attempts at the franchise, Marvel Studios positioned this as a definitive, high-budget relaunch.
Aggressive marketing – Teasers, behind-the-scenes clips, and character posters generated a strong social media presence.
These projections placed First Steps in a stronger position than recent MCU debuts, signaling the potential for a much-needed box office rebound.
Opening Weekend: Meeting (and Beating) Expectations
When the dust settled after opening weekend, First Steps didn’t just meet the lower bound of forecasts—it nearly hit the top.
Thursday previews brought in an impressive $24.4 million, the largest for any 2025 release at that point.
Friday’s total surged to about $57 million, boosted by eager fans and premium format ticket sales.
Weekend total landed at roughly $118 million domestic, marking one of the MCU’s strongest recent debuts.
Globally, the film also opened strong, securing a worldwide total that gave it a comfortable lead toward breaking even on its estimated budget.
Week Two Drop: The Reality of Modern Blockbusters
The second weekend told a familiar story for modern superhero films—First Steps saw a drop of around 66–67%, settling in the mid-$30 million range domestically. While that’s steeper than the old MCU average, it’s consistent with the post-pandemic trend for big franchise films, especially those with heavy fan turnout in week one.
The key takeaway? This wasn’t a sign of failure—more a reflection of a competitive release calendar and the shift toward quick front-loaded earnings.
Early Buzz: What’s Working
Critics and audiences have pointed to three main strengths:
Retro-Futuristic Aesthetic
The movie’s visual style blends mid-century sci-fi optimism with Marvel’s cosmic scale, giving it a unique look compared to recent MCU entries.Cast Chemistry
From Reed and Sue’s intellectual connection to Johnny and Ben’s playful rivalry, the character relationships feel genuine and engaging.Tonal Reset for the MCU
By focusing on family bonds and human stakes alongside world-ending threats, First Steps brings a refreshing change of pace.
Even major pop culture figures praised its style and confidence, sparking positive conversations across social media.
The Critiques: Where Some Fans Split
While most reactions have been positive, some viewers have voiced mild criticisms:
Underdeveloped antagonists – A few felt the villains lacked depth compared to the heroes.
Accent inconsistencies – Noted in passing by attentive fans.
Pacing in the middle act – Some suggested it could have been tightened.
However, these quibbles haven’t significantly dampened enthusiasm, with audience scores remaining high.
What’s Next for the Box Office
The film’s legs will depend on three main factors:
Word-of-Mouth – If casual audiences respond as strongly as fans, weekday numbers could stabilize.
Competition – With other tentpole releases ahead, holding a 50% or better drop in later weekends would be a good sign.
MCU Momentum – As a Phase Six opener, First Steps plants seeds for upcoming Marvel projects, potentially boosting repeat viewership.
If it maintains steady mid-week numbers and performs well overseas, First Steps could end as the highest-grossing Fantastic Four movie to date—a milestone Marvel has been chasing for years.
Final Take
Fantastic Four: First Steps entered theaters with high expectations and largely delivered. Its strong debut, standout visuals, and charismatic cast suggest it could be a turning point for the MCU’s box office performance in 2025. Now, it’s all about sustaining momentum and proving that Marvel’s First Family can anchor a new era of superhero storytelling.
