Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” launched with high expectations, touted as a bold reboot of the iconic superhero team. Yet, just days after its July 2025 debut, the film’s box office performance has sparked concern across the industry, with Monday earnings signaling a troubling trajectory. The film grossed a modest $10.44 million on its first Monday, a figure that has raised eyebrows and drawn comparisons to other recent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) disappointments. This underwhelming performance, coupled with a steep weekend drop, has industry insiders questioning whether Marvel’s First Family can recover or if this marks a deeper crisis for the studio’s superhero dominance.
The Monday haul of $10.44 million places “Fantastic Four” behind its competitors in a stark and unexpected way. For context, DC Studios’ “Superman,” released earlier in July, pulled in $13 million on its first Monday, a stronger showing despite its own challenges. Even Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” both labeled as commercial underperformers, outperformed “Fantastic Four” on their respective first Mondays. The per-theater average tells an even grimmer story: “Fantastic Four” earned just $2,526 per theater, lagging nearly $800 behind “Quantumania” despite inflationary ticket price increases. This gap underscores a lack of audience enthusiasm that could haunt the film’s run.
A 61% drop in box office revenue from Sunday to Monday further highlights the film’s struggle to maintain momentum. In contrast, “Superman” saw a more modest decline, suggesting stronger audience retention. This steep fall-off for “Fantastic Four” points to a lack of word-of-mouth buzz, a critical factor for superhero films that rely on sustained interest beyond opening weekend. Industry analyst Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory, noted, “The sharp decline suggests audiences aren’t connecting with the film as hoped. Marvel needs that repeat viewership to drive long-term success, and right now, it’s not happening.”
The film’s opening weekend was initially celebrated by Disney and major outlets, with reports claiming a robust $116-118 million domestic debut. However, these figures have been met with skepticism from independent analysts who argue the numbers were inflated to mask a weaker performance. In reality, “Fantastic Four” failed to surpass “Superman’s” $125 million opening or even match the stronger starts of other recent MCU films like “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The discrepancy between mainstream media reports and box office reality has fueled accusations of spin, with some suggesting Disney is attempting to shield Marvel from scrutiny. “The numbers don’t lie,” said box office commentator Luiz Fernando, who tracks performance metrics on X. “Marvel’s First Family isn’t resonating, and trying to paint this as a win feels disingenuous.”
One surprising factor in the film’s struggles is its lackluster performance in conservative-leaning “red states,” where audience turnout was lower than anticipated. This regional underperformance has sparked debate about whether cultural or political factors are at play. However, industry observers caution against attributing the film’s woes to external scapegoats. “Blaming the audience or politics is a cop-out,” said an anonymous studio insider. “The film has to stand on its own merits, and right now, it’s not delivering the excitement Marvel fans expect.” This sentiment echoes a broader concern that “Fantastic Four” may be failing to capture the magic that once made the MCU a cultural juggernaut.
Comparisons to “Thunderbolts*,” another 2025 MCU release, add fuel to the fire. Despite its own lackluster $74.3 million domestic opening, “Thunderbolts*” showed greater stability in subsequent weeks, with a less severe drop-off than “Fantastic Four.” Some analysts speculate that “Thunderbolts*” could end up as Marvel’s highest-grossing film of 2025, a damning prospect for a studio banking on “Fantastic Four” to reverse its recent string of disappointments. “If ‘Thunderbolts*’ outpaces ‘Fantastic Four,’ it’s a wake-up call,” said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore. “Marvel needs to rethink its approach to storytelling and audience engagement.”
The broader context of Marvel’s 2025 slate paints a challenging picture. After the monumental success of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, the MCU has struggled to replicate its pre-pandemic glory. Films like “Captain America: Brave New World” ($415 million worldwide) and “Thunderbolts*” ($382 million worldwide) fell short of expectations, with budgets often exceeding $180 million. “Fantastic Four,” with a reported production cost north of $200 million, faces an even higher bar to achieve profitability. The film’s global opening of $218 million, while respectable, falls short of “Superman’s” $220 million debut and lacks the staying power needed to reach the $500 million-plus benchmarks of past MCU hits.
The film’s critical reception offers a glimmer of hope, with an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A- CinemaScore indicating positive audience feedback. Yet, these accolades haven’t translated into box office resilience. “Great reviews can only do so much if the audience doesn’t show up,” said Robbins. “Marvel’s banking on nostalgia and the star power of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, but it’s not enough to overcome a crowded superhero market.” The proximity of “Superman’s” release, just.two weeks prior, may have also cannibalized audiences, with DC’s Man of Steel maintaining a stronger hold on premium formats like IMAX.
Looking ahead, the film’s trajectory raises questions about Marvel’s future. The studio has pinned hopes on upcoming projects like “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026, but the lukewarm reception to “Fantastic Four” casts a shadow over these ambitions. Posts on X reflect a growing pessimism among fans, with some calling the film “dead on arrival” and others expressing concern that Marvel’s experimental phase has diluted its brand. “The MCU used to feel like an event,” one user lamented. “Now it’s just another movie.” This sentiment underscores the challenge Marvel faces in recapturing its former glory in an era of franchise fatigue.
Despite these setbacks, there’s still time for “Fantastic Four” to recover. The lack of major competition in August could allow the film to linger in theaters, potentially boosting its domestic total toward $300 million. International markets, where the film earned $100 million during its opening weekend, may also provide a lifeline if word-of-mouth improves. However, the clock is ticking, and Marvel must address the underlying issues—whether it’s narrative fatigue, audience disconnect, or overhyped expectations—to avoid further stumbles.
The stakes are high not just for “Fantastic Four” but for the MCU as a whole. With only one superhero film, “Supergirl,” slated for 2026 before Marvel’s next major release, the studio has a rare opportunity to regroup. For now, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” serves as a cautionary tale: even Marvel’s First Family isn’t immune to the challenges of a crowded, competitive landscape. As the dust settles, fans and analysts alike are left wondering whether this is a temporary misstep or a sign of deeper cracks in Marvel’s once-invincible armor. Share your thoughts on the film’s performance and what it means for the MCU’s future—will Marvel bounce back, or is this the beginning of a steeper decline?
