The Fantastic Four: First Steps breaks the curse with 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, stellar performances from Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby.
Marvel's First Family has had a rocky journey to the big screen, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps is breaking new ground with an impressive 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, marking it as the best Fantastic Four movie ever made. After years of disappointing adaptations, director Matt Shakman and an all-star cast led by Pedro Pascal have delivered what fans have been waiting for decades.
Breaking the Fantastic Four Curse
Despite the popularity of the long-running comics, The Fantastic Four has an undistinguished history as a screen vehicle. Previous attempts have ranged from mediocre to downright catastrophic, with 2005's Fantastic Four sitting at just 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the best performer for the franchise, 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, sports a 37% score. The 2015 reboot was particularly brutal, earning a devastating 9% critics' score.
But First Steps changes everything. Early reactions are praising the 'immaculate' visuals and 'excellent' performances from Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, with critics noting that the film finally captures the essence of what makes the Fantastic Four special.
The Perfect Cast Brings Marvel's First Family to Life
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic: A highly intelligent scientist and the leader of the Fantastic Four who can stretch any part of his body to great lengths. Director Matt Shakman described Reed as combining elements of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses. Pascal's casting represents a significant departure from previous iterations, bringing emotional depth and gravitas to the role.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman
The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey points out that Kirby is "the true soul of the film", and Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, who play MCU power couple Reed Richards and Susan Storm, receive particular kudos with "Pedro Pascal nails it as Mr. Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby stands out as Sue Storm – she's a shooting star".
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch
Quinn, known for his breakout role in Stranger Things, brings youthful energy to the Human Torch. Quinn sought advice on the film from Pascal during the production of their film Gladiator II (2024), not knowing that Pascal was in talks to play Reed.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
Marvel Studios was committed to casting a Jewish actor like Moss-Bachrach as the Thing, who is depicted as Jewish in the comics but was not portrayed by Jewish actors in the previous Fantastic Four films. The Bear star brings both humor and heart to the role.
A Fresh Take on Familiar Heroes
The 1960s Retro-Futuristic Setting
One of the most striking aspects of First Steps is its unique visual approach. Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, the film creates a distinct universe that feels both nostalgic and fresh. This is the first MCU movie to take place in the 1960s, albeit retro-futuristic, which is a direct homage to the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby era of Fantastic Four comics.
Galactus and Silver Surfer Done Right
The film tackles one of Marvel's most challenging villains: Galactus. They must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Julia Garner's casting as Silver Surfer represents an interesting twist, as she plays Shalla-Bal rather than the traditional Norrin Radd version of the character.
Critical Reception and Box Office Expectations
Rotten Tomatoes Success
At the time of writing, First Steps holds an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, putting it just a few paces behind Superman's initial 89% score. This represents a massive improvement over all previous Fantastic Four films and puts it in line with successful MCU entries.
What Critics Are Saying
Critics are particularly impressed with the film's approach to family dynamics and visual spectacle. "Fantastic Four friggin' rocks! More than any Marvel movie before it, F4 feels like Jack Kirby's imagination brought to life on the big screen", noted one reviewer.
The Wrap's William Bibbiani wrote, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps, whatever its drawbacks, feels like a real Fantastic Four movie, and that's no small achievement".
Technical Excellence and Production Values
Director Matt Shakman's Vision
Matt Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision and The Boys, brings a unique sensibility to the project. SlashFilm's Witney Seibold noted, "I appreciate that First Steps is set in a gorgeous, sleek universe of miracle technologies, and the filmmakers, through subtle editing and wide camera angles, allow us, the astonished viewers, to sit and take it all in".
IMAX Experience
This is the fifth film in the MCU to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras, after Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Thunderbolts*, ensuring an immersive viewing experience for audiences.
Connection to the Broader MCU
Phase Six Launch
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 25, as the first film in Phase Six of the MCU. This positioning makes it crucial for the future direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Avengers: Doomsday Setup
A tag reveals: "The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday", confirming their integration into the larger MCU narrative. The film serves as essential setup for the next major Avengers installment.
Earth-828 Universe
On the 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic alternate universe known as Earth-828, the Fantastic Four must protect their world, establishing this as a separate reality within the Marvel multiverse.
Release Information and Where to Watch
The Fantastic Four: First Steps had its world premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on July 21, 2025, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 25. The film carries a PG-13 rating and has a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes.
The Verdict: Worth the Wait
After decades of failed attempts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to have cracked the code on bringing Marvel's First Family to life. With The Fantastic Four: First Steps' reviews indicating that the film is easily the best Marvel's First Family has ever had, MCU fans have every reason to be excited about the arrival of the team.
The combination of stellar casting, visionary direction, and a fresh take on familiar material has created what many are calling a return to form for Marvel Studios. Whether you're a longtime fan of the comics or new to the Fantastic Four universe, this film represents the definitive big-screen adaptation that fans have been waiting for.
"Between this and Superman, 2025 might go down as the year movies finally embrace the wonderful weirdness of comic books", and based on early reactions, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is leading that charge with confidence and style.
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