The Fantastic Four: First Steps has climbed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s box office charts. Marvel’s First Family is finally home, and with that comes the highest-grossing live-action Fantastic Four movie. That said, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ worldwide total currently stands at $368.7 million, the Fantastic Four movie dealt with a 66% drop from its opening weekend.
The year has been harsh on the MCU’s slate of projects. Both Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* underperformed. While the Fantastic Four reboot might not be flying as high as the studio might have expected, it is still posting solid numbers for the Fantastic Four franchise. The film is expected to be the MCU’s best 2025 entry.
According to data from Box Office Mojo, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already pᴀssed Thunderbolts*‘s entire domestic box office after two weekends. The Marvel movie led by Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova ended its run in North America with just $190.2 million, while the MCU Fantastic Four movie stands above it, at $198.4 million, with a long road ahead.
What The Fantastic Four: First Steps Pᴀssing Thunderbolts*’s Domestic Box Office Means
Thunderbolts* underperforming at the box office was surprising. While the movie focused on an obscure team from Marvel Comics, fan-favorite MCU characters, like Pugh’s Yelena and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and positive reviews, Thunderbolts* has an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score by critics, which seemed to point to it being a hit. The New Avengers reveal was also a major addition.
After Thunderbolts* delivered in terms of reception but could not do the same when it came to the box office, The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ theatrical run is encouraging for Marvel. The MCU reboot of Marvel’s First Family has already pᴀssed Thunderbolts*‘s entire domestic gross, with the film less than $15 million from surpᴀssing Thunderbolts*‘s global box office total.
|
MCU Movie |
Domestic Box Office |
International Box Office |
Worldwide Box Office |
|
Thunderbolts* |
$190,253,709 |
$192,162,589 |
$382,416,298 |
|
The Fantastic Four: First Steps – still in theaters |
$198,427,635 |
$170,300,000 |
$368,727,635 |
In terms of budgets, Thunderbolts* had reported production costs set at $180 million, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ budget was at the $200 million mark. To that effect, it is exciting for Marvel that the Fantastic Four movie is already eclipsing Thunderbolts*‘s domestic numbers so early in its run, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps needs to finish higher.
Our Take On The Fantastic Four: First Steps Pᴀssing Thunderbolts*’s Domestic Box Office
Despite the New Avengers twist being revealed right after Thunderbolts* opened in theaters, the MCU movie was still focused on obscure characters that connected it to multiple Disney+ MCU series. As such, Thunderbolts* did not have the same kind of broader appeal that the Fantastic Four reboot has. Marvel’s First Family is easily the most recognizable team of the two.
It was only natural that The Fantastic Four: First Steps would pᴀss Thunderbolts*‘s domestic box office, and soon its global run, quickly. In a year when Marvel movies did not come close to their past glory, the Fantastic Four reboot, looking likely to finish its run as the MCU’s best performer of 2025, bodes well for the team’s MCU future.
Source: Box Office Mojo
