Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps charged into theaters on Thursday night, pulling in a staggering $24.4 million in previews, the largest early haul of 2025 and exceeding the previews for Superman earlier this month.
The First Steps preview number tops MCU titles like Captain Marvel ($20.7M), and even rivals Captain America: Civil War ($25M preview, $75M Friday, $179M opening).
It nearly matched the preview earnings of the original Fantastic Four films (the Tom Trank reboot debuted to $25.6M; the 2007 sequel opened to $58M).
Fantastic Four Box Office Weekend Projection: $115M–$135M
Industry trackers predict a domestic opening weekend between $115M and $135M, positioning Fantastic Four: First Steps as the MCU’s strongest launch of the summer, even if it may fall just shy of Superman’s $122M debut.
With strong presales and positive early buzz, expectations are high for a blockbuster start. This preview haul ranks as the 12th MCU film to earn over $20M in previews, further signaling audience excitement.
Social media is buzzing too. Analytics firm RelishMix reports that First Steps is the first movie in 2025 to surpass 1 billion views across TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube, outpacing both Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman.
What Sets Fantastic Four First Steps Apart
Beyond box office glory, the film reinvents Marvel’s original team in a stylish, retro-1960s setting. First Steps also embraces emotional storytelling, with cast members likening the ensemble to a true “first family.”
Critics praised its chemistry and nostalgic design, with Rotten Tomatoes hovering around 87–89%. The weekend range dwarfs earlier MCU releases like Thunderbolts ($74M) and Captain America: Brave New World ($88M).
Also Read: Fantastic Four: First Steps Post-Credit Scene Teases Dr. Doom
Fantastic Four Box Office Competition & Context
Superman led the summer with a $122M opening but is showing signs of slowing domestically. First Steps may not catch up in launch figures, but its upward trend and international strength suggest a robust performance.
While Thunderbolts and Brave New World underperformed by Marvel standards, this Fantastic Four installment promises to reinvigorate the franchise with smart marketing and nostalgic pull.
The numbers speak volumes. Fantastic Four: First Steps delivered a career-best preview performance, placed social media in overdrive, and is entering the weekend with strong momentum for a $115M–$135M opening.
It blends retro flair, emotional stakes, and blockbuster spectacle in a way that feels like the MCU’s fresh new chapter. If the weekend plays out as expected, this film has the power to redefine Marvel’s first family cinematic future.
Also Read: Fantastic Four: First Steps Review – Marvel’s Most Human Movie Yet