Was The Fantastic Four: First Steps A Box Office Success?
The MCU debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps yielded mixed results. Several months after its release, the question of the film's box office success remains relevant. For nearly two decades, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) operated without introducing Marvel's First Family, making this movie a significant milestone for the franchise.
Arriving amidst a volatile period for the MCU—where some recent releases performed exceptionally well at the box office, while others underperformed—the success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps was uncertain before its premiere.
Now, with ample data available, we can assess how the film compares both to its MCU counterparts and to the broader 2025 box office landscape.
Box Office Performance
- Worldwide gross: $520-521 million (according to Box Office Mojo and The Numbers)
- This figure is substantial but relatively modest when measured against much of the MCU catalog.
- To date, 26 MCU films have surpassed this amount in global box office revenue.
"The MCU timeline has been without Marvel's First Family for almost two decades of its runtime, making the introduction of the titular team in The Fantastic Four: First Steps a major deal for the franchise."
"With the familial superhero squad arriving during a time of volatility for the MCU - with some releases doing strikingly well box office-wise, and some facing less auspicious results - how The Fantastic Four: First Steps would fare seemed decidedly uncertain before its release."
The film's box office outcome positions it as a moderate performer rather than an outright blockbuster within the MCU.
Summary
Author’s conclusion: Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned a significant sum worldwide, it ranks below many MCU entries, reflecting a cautious but meaningful start for the franchise's First Family.