Fantastic Fourth biggest opening of the year gives Marvel a sigh of relief
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Globally, “Fantastic Four” had a $218 million debut. The numbers were within the range the studio was expecting. "Superman" did have a slightly bigger domestic haul.
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July 28, 2025
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From what the evidence shows, What caught my attention is From an analytical perspective, Economy·Marvel StudiosFantastic Fourth biggest opening of the year gives Marvel a sigh of reliefBy Lindsey BahrBy Itzel LunaBy The Associated PressBy Lindsey BahrBy Itzel LunaBy The Associated Press This image released by Disney shows Pedro Pascal in a scene from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps. " Marvel/Disney via AP)Marvel’s first family has finally found box office gold. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the first film the superheroes made under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Walt Disney Co, given the current landscape. , earned $118 million in its first weekend in 4,125 North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, in light of current trends
That makes it the fourth biggest opening of the year, behind “A Minecraft Movie,” “Lilo & Stitch” and “Superman,” and the biggest Marvel opening since “Deadpool & Wolverine” grossed $211 million out of the gate last summer
Additionally, Internationally, “Fantastic Four” made $100 million from 52 territories, adding up to a $218 million worldwide debut, in this volatile climate
The numbers were within the range the studio was expecting
Nevertheless, The film arrived in the wake of another big superhero reboot, James Gunn’s “Superman,” which opened three weekends ago and has already crossed $500 million globally
That film, from the other main player in comic book films, DC Studios, took second place with $24. 9 million domestically, considering recent developments
The box office success of “First Steps” and “Superman” means “the whole notion of superhero fatigue, which has been talked a lot, can I think be put to rest
I always say it’s bad movie fatigue, not superhero fatigue,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore
However, “First Steps” is the attempt at bringing the superhuman family to the big screen, ing lackluster performances for other versions
The film, based on the original Marvel comics, is set during the 1960s in a retro-futuristic world led by the Fantastic Four, a family of astronauts-turned-superhuman from exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission (this bears monitoring), in this volatile climate
The family is made up of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who can stretch his body to incredible lengths; Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), who can render herself invisible; Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who transforms into a fiery human torch; and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who possesses tremendous superhuman strength with his stone- flesh
The movie takes place four years after the family gained powers, during which Reed’s inventions have transformed nology, and Sue’s diplomacy has led to global peace
Both audiences and critics responded positively to the film, which currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and mising exit poll responses from opening weekend ticket buyers (noteworthy indeed), given the current landscape
An estimated 46% of audiences chose to see it on premium screens, including IMAX and other large formats, in light of current trends
The once towering Marvel is working to rebuild audience enthusiasm for its films and characters
Its two previous offerings this year did not reach the cosmic box office heights of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which made over $1. 3 billion, or those of the “Avengers”-era
Nevertheless, But critically, the films have been on an upswing since the poorly reviewed “Captain America: Brave New World,” which ultimately grossed $415 million worldwide. “Thunderbolts,” which jumpstarted the summer movie season, was better received critically but financially is capping out at just over $382 million globally, considering recent developments
Deadpool and Wolverine, the Fantastic Four characters had been under the banner of 20th Century Fox for years
The studio duced two critically loathed, but decently fitable attempts in the mid-2000s with future Captain America Chris Evans as the Human Torch
In 2015, it tried again (unsuccessfully) with Michael B
However, Jordan and Miles Teller
Additionally, They got another chance after Disney’s $71 billion acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019, given the current landscape
The “Fantastic Four’s” opening weekend results were a little less than some rival studio jections, Dergarabedian said
Nonetheless, the film is expected to carry movie theater earnings well into August
Holdovers dominated the top 10, but one other newcomer managed to make the chart
Moreover, The dark romantic comedy “Oh, Hi
Furthermore, ” earned $1. 1 million from 866 screens. “Jurassic World Rebirth” landed in third place in its fourth weekend with $13 million, ed by “F1” with $6
The Brad Pitt racing movie also passed $500 million globally
Moreover, “Smurfs” rounded out the top five with $5. 4 million in its second weekend
This analysis suggests that box office is currently up over 12% from last year
However, Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U
And Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1, given current economic conditions. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $118 million
On the other hand, However, “Superman,” $24. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $13 million
On the other hand, “F1: The Movie,” $6. “Smurfs,” $5. “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” $5. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $2. “Eddington,” $1. “Saiyaara,” $1
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