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The Fantastic Four: First Steps poster
7.8
Marvel Studios

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Marvel Cinematic Universe · Fantastic Four Collection

2025 115 min PG-13
Critic7.8
Action Adventure Sci-Fi
Disney+ Apple TV
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

In a retro-futuristic 1960s world, Marvel's First Family must protect Earth from the planet-devouring cosmic god Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer, while holding their own family together.
Story 7.5
Acting 8.2
Direction 8.0
Cinematography 8.5
Music 8.3
Pacing 7.0
Originality 7.8
Emotional Impact 8.0
Overall 7.8

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

7.8 /10

Retro-futuristic style

The 1960s Earth-828 aesthetic is gorgeous and gives the film a distinct identity within the MCU.

Family at the core

Pascal and Kirby anchor a genuinely warm family dynamic that grounds the cosmic spectacle.

Pros

  • Distinct 1960s retro-futuristic style
  • Warm, believable family dynamic
  • Strong lead performances
  • Michael Giacchino's score
  • Back-to-basics, character-first storytelling

Cons

  • Second-act pacing dips
  • Villain underused
  • Somewhat predictable plot beats
Verdict A stylish, heartfelt back-to-basics reboot that prioritizes family and character over CG overload — one of Marvel's most confident entries in years, even if the villain and pacing leave a little on the table.

AI Review

Marvel's confident, retro-futuristic Fantastic Four reboot — the first film of Phase Six, led by Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby against Galactus.

A stylish, heartfelt back-to-basics reboot that prioritizes family and character over CG overload — one of Marvel's most confident entries in years, even if the villain and pacing leave a little on the table.

See it in IMAX for the cosmic scale, or stream on Disney+.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Status
Development

After Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the franchise moved to Marvel Studios; announced in 2019. Jon Watts was attached to direct before Matt Shakman took over in 2022.

Casting

The core cast — Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn — was announced in February 2024.

Principal photography

Filmed from July to November 2024 at Pinewood Studios and on location in England and Spain.

Release

Premiered July 21, 2025 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; released theatrically in the US on July 25, 2025.

Production

Development

After Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the franchise moved to Marvel Studios; announced in 2019. Jon Watts was attached to direct before Matt Shakman took over in 2022.

Casting

The core cast — Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn — was announced in February 2024.

Principal photography

Filmed from July to November 2024 at Pinewood Studios and on location in England and Spain.

Release

Premiered July 21, 2025 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; released theatrically in the US on July 25, 2025.

Streaming

Disney+ Apple TV

Cast

Pedro Pascal Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
Vanessa Kirby Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Ben Grimm / The Thing
Joseph Quinn Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Julia Garner Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
Ralph Ineson Galactus
Paul Walter Hauser Harvey Elder / Mole Man
Natasha Lyonne Rachel Rozman
Sarah Niles Lynne Nichols
Mark Gatiss Ted Gilbert

Characters

Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic Pedro Pascal
Sue Storm / Invisible Woman Vanessa Kirby
Ben Grimm / The Thing Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Johnny Storm / Human Torch Joseph Quinn
Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer Julia Garner
Galactus Ralph Ineson
Harvey Elder / Mole Man Paul Walter Hauser
Rachel Rozman Natasha Lyonne
Lynne Nichols Sarah Niles
Ted Gilbert Mark Gatiss

Crew

Matt Shakman Director
Josh Friedman Writer
Eric Pearson Writer
Jeff Kaplan Writer
Ian Springer Writer
Michael Giacchino Composer
Jess Hall Cinematographer
Nona Khodai Editor
Tim Roche Editor
Kevin Feige Producer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Original Score — Michael Giacchino

Trivia

  • The 37th film in the MCU and the first installment of Phase Six.
  • Set on Earth-828, a separate universe from the main MCU timeline, in a retro-futuristic 1960s world.
  • Marks the Fantastic Four's official debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after prior non-MCU film versions.
  • Director Matt Shakman previously helmed Marvel's WandaVision series.
  • Opened to $118M domestically — the biggest Marvel opening of 2025 at the time and Marvel's first $100M+ opening of the year.

Quotes

"We're not just a team. We're a family."

"The whole world is watching — let's give them something to believe in."

Goofs

  • Some retro-futuristic 1960s set dressing includes technology stylistically ahead of the depicted era, an intentional design choice for Earth-828.

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Collections

Part of Fantastic Four Collection

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Universe

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-828)

Explore universe →

Franchise

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise and the first film of MCU Phase Six.

Browse franchise →

Recommendations & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider Avengers: Infinity War (8.5/10). A similarly themed alternative is The First Omen.

Higher Rated

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AI Recommendation Insight

Marvel's confident, retro-futuristic Fantastic Four reboot — the first film of Phase Six, led by Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby against Galactus. Similar picks: Same Franchise

The Fantastic Four: First Steps