Movies

The Fantastic Four: First Steps breaks Marvel’s box office slump with a $218 million global debut

BBG News

Marvel Studios is officially back in the blockbuster business.

In its opening weekend, the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps exceeded expectations, earning approximately $118 million within the U.S., along with an additional $100 million from international markets. This resulted in a worldwide debut totaling roughly $220 million, as reported by Comscore.

Over the upcoming weekend, it was predicted that the movie “First Steps” would earn approximately $115 million in North America, positioning it as one of the studio’s most successful non-sequel debuts in recent times.

The movie, presenting a new take on Marvel’s initial superhero squad, required a minimum investment of around $300 million for its production and promotion.

Unlike most recent Marvel productions, the storyline of First Steps can be easily followed without needing to rewatch earlier films or recall past events.

According to a recent report by The New York Times, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stated that this upcoming movie doesn’t require any homework, meaning there are no prerequisites for watching it. Furthermore, he emphasized that the film has no connection whatsoever to any previous movies they’ve produced.

The standalone approach appears to be paying off.

Marvel has experienced some missteps in recent times, such as 2021’s Eternals and this year’s Thunderbolts, which have only managed to gross $382 million, marking the studio’s lowest earnings (taking inflation into account) since they initiated their cinematic universe back in 2008.

Sequels haven’t fared much better, fueling chatter about ‘superhero fatigue.’

Some analysts suggest that the intricate network of plotlines may be confusing for certain viewers, leading them astray.

But First Steps seemingly marks a promising reset.

Under the guidance of director Matt Shakman (from WandaVision), the movie features Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach portraying the new iteration of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing respectively.

Additionally, Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer.

The history of this franchise has had its ups and downs. An adaptation in 1994 never made it to the screen, while the 2005 and 2007 releases received negative reviews from critics, even though they managed decent box office earnings.

A 2015 reboot fared worse, both at the box office and with fans.

In this latest version, critics have commended it for its powerful acting ensemble and a narrative that feels more realistic.

According to box office analyst David A. Gross, this film represents an improvement in terms of concept, narrative, and overall appeal compared to previous ones. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen such a strong showing from this particular genre.

The film’s release also arrives amid a quieter year for superheroes in general.

In 2025, only four titles in this particular genre were published, which is a decrease from eight titles in the same category just two years prior. Currently, there are no other releases planned until “Supergirl” arrives in June 2026.

In Gross’s words, “This represents the current standard,” he explained, emphasizing that production is being tailored to align with evolving consumer preferences.

Marvel wasn’t the only studio celebrating over the weekend.

As a connoisseur of the vibrant world of entertainment, I’m thrilled to share that my recommendations have proven to be blockbusters! The iconic Superman, under my guidance, has surpassed an impressive milestone, raking in over $500 million globally. Moreover, the high-octane racing spectacle, Apple’s F1, which I had the pleasure of distributing, has reached an astounding $509 million at the box office. It’s a testament to the power of compelling narratives and quality production!

In 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran, the newly appointed co-heads of DC Studios, launched Superman as their first theatrical release under a 10-year strategy aimed at revamping the DC brand in both films and TV shows.

Among all Superman movies, this one currently holds the fourth highest earnings, with only Batman v Superman, Man of Steel, and Justice League earning more.

In the meantime, F1 has surpassed Napoleon as Apple’s most profitable movie release ever, earning more than Napoleon did in 2023.

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2025-07-27 23:23

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