Key Highlights
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases on Disney+ November 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM ET/9:00 PM PT
- Film grossed $521.8 million globally during theatrical run, making it Marvel’s biggest 2025 release
- Opening weekend earned $117.6 million domestically and $218 million internationally
- Set in retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired world, emphasizing family bonds over traditional origin story
- Cast includes Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing)
- Julia Garner plays Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man
- Available in IMAX Enhanced format with exclusive expanded aspect ratio on Disney+
- Physical Blu-ray/DVD release includes five deleted scenes, gag reel, and director commentary
- Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026
Mumbai: Marvel Studios has officially announced that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting November 5, 2025, at 3:00 AM ET/midnight PT. The announcement was made at SpaceCon in San Antonio, Texas, bringing welcome news to fans who missed the blockbuster’s theatrical release on July 25 or want to experience Marvel’s First Family again from the comfort of their homes.
The film became Marvel’s strongest theatrical performer of 2025 and the second-highest-grossing superhero movie of the summer, trailing only DC Studios’ Superman. With a worldwide box office haul of over $521 million, The Fantastic Four: First Steps demonstrated that audiences were hungry for a fresh take on these iconic characters after previous attempts to bring them to life.
Record-Breaking Box Office Performance
The Fantastic Four: First Steps delivered an impressive domestic opening of $117.6 million and earned $218 million internationally during its opening weekend—marking the largest opening weekend for director Matt Shakman and the four lead actors. The film ranks among the top ten highest-grossing movies of 2025 in both domestic and international markets, cementing its status as a major commercial success.
Critics praised the film as “one of the best superhero movies of all time” (Ryan Britt, Men’s Journal) and lauded its “jaw-dropping spectacle and epic action” (Josh Wilding, Comic Book Movie). Deadline’s Damon Wise called it “the best by far of the MCU’s attempts to bring the long-running comic book appeal to the big screen,” highlighting the intelligent screenplay and deeply moving performances from the four engaging leads.
A Fresh, Retro-Futuristic Vision
Unlike previous iterations of the franchise, The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes a radically different approach by setting the story in a vibrant, retro-futuristic world inspired by 1960s aesthetics drawn directly from the original comics. The film embraces a campy quality that feels fun and fresh, while showcasing the group at the height of their fame rather than retelling their origin story.
Set against this colorful backdrop, Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing face their most daunting challenge yet: defending Earth from Galactus, a ravenous space god intent on devouring the entire planet, and his enigmatic Herald, the Silver Surfer. The narrative emphasizes the Fantastic Four as a familial unit, exploring how they must balance their superhero roles with the strength of their family bond.
Star-Studded Cast Brings Marvel’s First Family to Life
The Fantastic Four: First Steps features an acclaimed ensemble cast led by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The film also stars Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson as the planet-devouring Galactus, and Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder, the antagonistic Mole Man who oversees the underground society of Subterranea.
Directed by Matt Shakman (known for WandaVision), the screenplay was crafted by Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, with contributions from Peter Cameron. The project was produced by Kevin Feige for Marvel Studios and represents the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
IMAX Enhanced Viewing Experience at Home
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be available in IMAX Enhanced format on Disney+, making it the latest Marvel film to feature IMAX’s exclusive expanded aspect ratio. All Disney+ subscribers will be able to experience the filmmakers’ creative intent fully preserved for a more immersive home viewing experience. Subscribers with certified TVs and AV receivers can also enjoy IMAX Enhanced sound powered by DTS X technology.
Physical Media and Bonus Content
For collectors and fans seeking additional content, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently available for purchase and rental on digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. The film was released on 4K Ultra HD (with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos), Blu-ray, and DVD on October 14, 2025.
The physical release includes extensive bonus content featuring five deleted scenes, character-focused featurettes, a gag reel, and audio commentary from director Matt Shakman and production designer Adam Kasra Kasra. One notable deleted scene showcases a tense interaction between a pregnant Sue Storm and Harvey Elder/Mole Man, in which she descends to Subterranea to negotiate peace despite the challenges he presents to the Fantastic Four.
Franchise History and Third Reboot Attempt
The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks Hollywood’s third attempt to bring Marvel’s First Family to the big screen this century. The original films directed by Tim Story—Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)—were released by 20th Century Fox and starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis.
The franchise was rebooted again in 2015 with Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. Despite a decent box office return, that version became a major critical disappointment. Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and its properties, including the Fantastic Four rights, in 2019, paving the way for the characters’ integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Setting Up Avengers: Doomsday
Following the Disney+ release, the Fantastic Four are slated to return to theaters on December 18, 2026 in Avengers: Doomsday, continuing their integration into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film’s success and positive reception have positioned Marvel’s First Family as crucial players in the MCU’s future storylines, with audiences eager to see how their retro-futuristic world connects to the broader multiverse narrative.
