What's happened
As of early August 2025, Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" leads the box office with a $218 million worldwide debut, including $118 million domestically. The film, starring Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, marks a fresh reboot set in the 1960s. Meanwhile, DC Studios' "Superman," directed by James Gunn, has grossed over $406 million globally in two weeks, receiving positive reviews and signaling a new direction for the franchise.
What's behind the headline?
Box Office Dynamics
Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" has delivered a strong opening weekend, grossing $218 million worldwide. This performance is significant given the recent concerns about superhero fatigue impacting audience enthusiasm. The film's retro 1960s setting and fresh cast, including Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, offer a distinct take that differentiates it from previous, less successful iterations.
Marvel's Strategic Reboot
The Fantastic Four franchise has struggled historically, with earlier films receiving mixed to poor reviews. This reboot, under Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige's guidance, represents a strategic attempt to reclaim audience interest by blending nostalgia with modern storytelling. The film's positive critical reception (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and strong premium format attendance (46% of viewers) indicate effective engagement.
DC's Parallel Success with "Superman"
Simultaneously, DC Studios' "Superman," directed by James Gunn, has surpassed $406 million globally in two weeks, marking a successful reboot for the character. Gunn's approach, which skips the traditional origin story and presents Superman as an established hero grappling with public suspicion, has garnered favorable reviews (82% Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (A- CinemaScore).
Industry Implications
Both Marvel and DC are navigating a challenging market where superhero films no longer guarantee blockbuster returns. Marvel's cautious optimism with Fantastic Four contrasts with DC's bold tonal shift in "Superman." The success of these films will influence future franchise strategies, including upcoming Marvel Avengers films and DC's planned "Supergirl" and "Clayface" movies.
Audience Impact
For viewers, these films offer renewed excitement in the superhero genre, blending legacy characters with contemporary themes. The theatrical exclusivity of "Fantastic Four" until late 2025 underscores the industry's reliance on cinema experiences to drive revenue amid streaming competition.
Forecast
Given current trends, Marvel's Fantastic Four will likely sustain strong box office performance through the weekend, potentially reaching near $200 million domestically. DC's Superman is poised to maintain momentum, supporting the studio's long-term cinematic universe plans. Both studios must continue innovating to counteract superhero fatigue and evolving audience preferences.
What the papers say
Angela Barbuti of the NY Post highlights "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" as a box office leader, noting its $11.7 million Friday earnings in its second week and a domestic total nearing $170 million, with potential to reach $198 million by weekend's end. She describes the film as a "slight improvement" over previous franchise attempts but suggests Marvel still struggles to fully capture the property's potential. Business Insider UK reports a $218 million worldwide debut, emphasizing the film's $118 million domestic and $100 million international earnings, framing it as a needed victory amid superhero fatigue concerns. AP News and The Independent provide detailed box office context, placing Fantastic Four's opening as the fourth biggest of 2025 and Marvel's strongest since "Deadpool & Wolverine," with positive critical reception (88% Rotten Tomatoes) and strong audience exit polls. They also note the film's 1960s retro-futuristic setting and character dynamics. Bloomberg focuses on the film's stylistic choices and critical acclaim, while The Scotsman discusses the film's theatrical exclusivity and streaming timeline, indicating a likely Disney+ release in late 2025. Regarding DC's "Superman," multiple sources including AP News, The Independent, and Business Insider UK detail its $406 million global gross in two weeks, positive reviews (82-83% Rotten Tomatoes), and James Gunn's fresh directorial approach. They contrast it with prior DC failures and note its role in launching a new DC Cinematic Universe. Al Jazeera provides a broader industry perspective, discussing superhero fatigue and the political context influencing the genre's evolution. These varied perspectives collectively illustrate the competitive landscape of superhero cinema in mid-2025, highlighting both Marvel's cautious resurgence and DC's ambitious reboot efforts.
How we got here
Marvel regained rights to the Fantastic Four after Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019. The new film is part of Marvel's effort to revitalize its cinematic universe amid concerns of superhero fatigue. DC Studios rebooted "Superman" under James Gunn's direction, aiming to relaunch its superhero franchise after recent box office disappointments.
Go deeper
- How does the Fantastic Four reboot compare to previous Marvel films?
- What is the significance of James Gunn's Superman reboot for DC Studios?
- When will Fantastic Four be available on streaming platforms?
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