So, Everyone Says Fantastic Four Flopped? Think Again, But Also, Maybe They’re Not Totally Wrong
Already, commentators are scribbling that The Fantastic Four: First Steps “flopped.” But that label doesn’t quite fit. Marvel’s Fantastic Four had a strong debut, though it ultimately trails James Gunn’s Superman when measured strictly by box office muscle. Let’s break down why, and whether that constitutes a hit or a flop.
Fantastic Four Vs Superman: Opening Weekend
Fantastic Four earned $118 million domestically and $100 million internationally, totaling $218 million globally in its first weekend.
That made it Marvel’s first $100 million opening of 2025, ranking fourth-best overall so far.
Superman, by comparison, opened with $122 million domestically and $95 million abroad, totaling $217 million worldwide, just a hair behind in global tally, though slightly ahead domestically.
So, Fantastic Four didn’t beat Superman, but it came extraordinarily close, just a few millions apart in global totals.
Fantastic Four Vs Superman: Drop-Offs Tell the Tale
In week two, Fantastic Four dropped 66%, falling from $118 m opening to about $40 m, though it still retained #1 position domestically.
Meanwhile, Superman declined 53%, making $57.3 million and holding strong as box‑office champion.
That steeper drop indicates Fantastic Four struggled faster in momentum.
Fantastic Four Vs Superman: Current Totals
| Film | Domestic 6‑Day | Global Total (est.) | Final Range (projection) |
| Fantastic Four | $150.9 m | ≈ $250 m | $540–600 m worldwide |
| Superman | $166.8 m | ≈ $513 m | $640–670 m worldwide |
By mid‑summer, Fantastic Four was on pace for $540–600 million, while Superman was tracking to $640–670 million globally. As of now, Superman has already cleared $500 million, while FF is nearer $250 m mid‑run.
Fantastic Four Vs Superman: Budget and Break‑Even Realities
Fantastic Four’s budget is around $200–220 million, meaning a break‑even (~2.5× cost rule) lies at $500–550 million.
Superman cost about $225 million to make and $100 million marketing; its break‑even is estimated at $500–750 million, with industry consensus around $562.5 million.
Not a flop: Fantastic Four: First Steps is a commercial success by Marvel’s standards, strong opening, good critical scores (Rotten Tomatoes ~86–88% with CinemaScore “A−”).
Relative underperformance: Compared to Superman, FF is clearly behind in both staying power and long‑term gross.
Future hinges: If FF finishes near $550 million, it hits its break‑even and turns modest profit. Staying above that moves it into “hit” territory, but anything below could cast shade.
Fantastic Four First Steps: Misunderstood Success
Yes, people are already calling Fantastic Four a flop, but that seems premature. It’s a solid success on its own, strong debut, good reviews, and a safe profit zone if it reaches mid‑$500 million.
But when directly compared to Superman, it clearly plays second fiddle in scale and staying power. So: Not a flop, but not a knockout either. It’s a win in context, but overshadowed by Gunn’s Superman in the broader superhero summer showdown.
Also Read: The Evolution of Superhero Films: From the 1970s to 2025