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I really need Fantastic Four: First Steps to break a tragic and disappointing Marvel movie trend that’s lasted for 20 years. 2005 saw the release of the first major blockbuster-level Fantastic Four movie from 20th Century Fox. Since then, the original Fantastic Four movie received a sequel with The Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007, while 2015 saw Fox’s controversial reboot attempt. Now, Marvel Studios is set to reboot Marvel’s First Family once more, and it certainly looks primed to break what’s been an ongoing negative trend for these particular Marvel movies.
Releasing in July, Fantastic Four: First Steps will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johny Storm. Set in an alternate retro-futuristic reality apart from the main MCU timeline, this new version of The Fantastic Four will attempt to protect their world from Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. However, I really do believe the MCU’s Fantastic Four is in the best position to break what’s been a 20-year curse for the classic Marvel team and their on-screen endeavors.
The Fantastic Four’s Movies Have Had Less Than Stellar Reviews
Not The Greatest For Either Version
Across the board, the previous Fantastic Four movies have not had great reviews. This goes for both versions of Marvel’s First Family on the big screen. Tragically, none of The Fantastic Four movies produced by 20th Century Fox ever broke past a negative rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes:
Movie |
Critic Score |
Audience Score |
Fantastic Four (2005) |
27% |
45% |
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) |
37% |
51% |
Fantastic Four (2015) |
9% |
18% |
While the original two Fantastic Four movies were critically panned, they did receive a somewhat modest reception from audiences, with scores sitting around 50%. This speaks to both of the original movies’ campy tone and pretty formulaic execution, while also having their share of narrative problems/issues. However, that criticism is nothing compared to 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot by director Josh Trank, a movie that is still often cited as one of the worst comic book movies of all time in the decade since its release.
Why The 2005 & 2015 Fantastic Four Movies Have Had Lower Review Scores
Similar Issue (Though Both Had Great Casting)
Beyond the early 2000s Fantastic Four movies’ aforementioned campy tone and basic execution that was common for superheroes movies of its era, there was also strong controversy regarding the second film and its differing depiction of Galactus compared to what’s seenon the page, as the decision was made to make him look like nothing more than a giant space cloud. This was something that many Marvel Comics fans found to be quite frustrating and damaging to the movie’s third act.
Likewise, 2015’s Fantastic Four was far worse. To name just a few of the biggest grievances, the back half of the movie is so rushed it feels as though it’s completely devoid of a second art entirely. Also, the depiction of Doctor Doom was highly controversial, as was the decision to inflect body-horror-like elements and tones into the origin of The Fantastic Four’s powers. That said, it’s worth noting that the best thing all three movies did fairly well was casting, something that was largely received positively across the board.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Looks Like The Perfect Movie To Break The Fantastic Four’s Review Trend
A Unique Take With Strong Comic Accuracy
10 years after the last attempt, Marvel Studios is ready to reboot The Fantastic Four once more, having secured the rights to the First Family from Fox back in 2019 (along with the X-Men). Based on the trailers for Fantastic Four: First Steps, it certainly looks as though director Matt Shakman intends to bring back the exploration and sense of wonder The Fantastic Four are known for in the comics (which was largely absent in the 2015 reboot in favor of a more dark and gritty aesthetic).
Additionally, the teases for Galactus as the main villain in First Steps already support an exciting comic-accurate depiction, and the opportunity to connect with MCU heroes and villains in the future is a unique and exciting opportunity none of the previous Fantastic Four franchises had. With any luck, the MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps will finally break the curse that has long plagued the First Family on the big screen for 20 years.
Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in theaters on July 25th from Marvel Studios.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
-
July 25, 2025
- Director
-
Matt Shakman
- Producers
-
Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Tim Lewis
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Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
-
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman
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Johnny Storm / Human Torch
-
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
Upcoming MCU Movies
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