The Fantastic Four: First Steps opened to an estimated 57 million dollars across 4,125 theaters on Friday, including preview screenings, delivering the second-highest opening day of 2025. Only A Minecraft Movie, which debuted at 57.11 million dollars, has earned more in a single day this year. The film is also drawing large audiences in premium formats such as IMAX and other large-format auditoriums.
This performance places the latest release from Marvel Studios, distributed by Disney, slightly ahead of Superman, the DC Studios entry that opened with 56.1 million dollars two weeks earlier. Whether Fantastic Four can maintain its momentum and top Superman’s 125 million dollar three-day total remains to be seen, but early indicators suggest a competitive weekend.
With an estimated domestic total of 120 to 125 million dollars expected through Sunday, the film represents Marvel’s strongest opening since Deadpool & Wolverine premiered one year ago. Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps features a new cast for the franchise. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach portray Marvel’s original superhero team.
The film stands apart from other Marvel Cinematic Universe titles by avoiding direct ties to past entries, presenting a stand-alone narrative that has been well received. Audiences awarded the film an A-minus CinemaScore, and critics have generally responded positively to its stylized retro-futuristic aesthetic and character-driven storytelling.
Fantastic Four outpaces Superman with strong domestic debut
The production budget reportedly stands at 200 million dollars, not including significant marketing expenses. Box office profitability will depend on sustained momentum in the coming weeks. Marvel’s earlier 2025 titles, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, opened at 88.5 million and 76 million dollars respectively and both fell short of breaking even through theatrical revenue alone.
Globally, Fantastic Four is on track to exceed initial expectations with a projected international debut of 100 to 105 million dollars. Combined with domestic estimates, the film is expected to reach a global opening between 220 and 230 million dollars. As of Friday, the film had earned 106.2 million dollars worldwide.
Openings in key overseas markets such as Japan, Spain, and China contributed to the early international total, though China remains soft amid strong local competition. Elsewhere at the box office, Superman continues to perform well, adding 7.1 million dollars Friday despite facing competition.
Jurassic World and F1 trail behind Marvel’s latest box office leader
The film is projected to reach 289 million dollars domestically by the end of the weekend. Jurassic World Rebirth took third place with 3.6 million dollars Friday and is expected to cross 301 million dollars in domestic receipts, becoming the third 2025 release to pass that milestone.
Rounding out the top five are F1, the Brad Pitt-led racing drama, with 1.8 million dollars, and Smurfs, which added 1.72 million dollars. Despite mixed reviews, Smurfs has found modest staying power with family audiences and is expected to reach a domestic total of 22.9 million dollars after ten days. – By Conent Syndication Services.