‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Launches with $218M Global Debut, Sets Marvel’s Top Superhero Opening of 2025

Marvel’s latest cinematic gamble has paid off big time. The Fantastic Four: First Steps rocketed to a staggering $218 million global debut over the July 25–27 weekend, becoming the highest superhero opening of 2025 so far and a major win for Disney and Marvel Studios.

Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office Sets New 2025 Record

In its opening weekend, The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned $118 million domestically in North America and an additional $100 million across 52 international markets. This massive performance propels it ahead of recent Marvel releases such as Captain America: Brave New World ($180.9M) and Thunderbolts ($162.1M), marking it as Marvel’s biggest superhero opening this year. The film slightly exceeded early projections, which hovered between $190M and $210M, securing its position as a major summer box office contender.

The international appeal was especially strong in Latin America and Europe, where the film achieved the highest opening for a superhero movie in 2025. Mexico led international grosses with $12M, followed by the UK/Ireland at $10.8M and France at $5.7M. Surprisingly, Asia saw moderate numbers, with only Malaysia and Singapore registering top regional openings.

A Competitive Landscape: Superman and F1 Also Shine

Warner Bros’ Superman continues to soar, reaching $502.7M globally after adding $44.6M this weekend. Apple’s F1, also distributed by Warner Bros, surpassed the $500M milestone, showcasing the international pull of Formula 1 fandom. Though both films were already in the market, The Fantastic Four found ample space to thrive, with the next major releases not posing direct competition in the superhero genre.

IMAX and premium formats accounted for a significant slice of the pie. IMAX alone brought in $26.6M worldwide, while premium formats represented 46% of domestic earnings. This trend highlights the growing audience preference for high-quality cinematic experiences, especially for action-heavy blockbusters like First Steps.

Cast, Direction, and Franchise Legacy

Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. It’s Marvel’s first crack at launching the Fantastic Four since regaining the rights from Fox. Prior iterations—the 2005 Fantastic Four ($333.5M), its 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer ($301.9M), and the 2015 reboot ($167.9M)—all fell short of franchise-building success. First Steps appears poised to reverse that trend.

Key Market Highlights

• Mexico: $12M

• UK/Ireland: $10.8M

• France: $5.7M

• Brazil, Australia, and China: Each between $4.5M–$5.1M

• Germany: Surprisingly underperformed compared to Italy and Spain

Globally, The Fantastic Four: First Steps launched in 53 territories and is expected to dominate for weeks ahead, given the lack of direct genre competition until early August. Films like The Naked Gun reboot and The Bad Guys 2 may capture audience interest but aren’t seen as genre rivals.

Comparison with Other 2025 Box Office Hits

So far in 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to join an elite club of blockbusters surpassing $500M, alongside titles like Superman, F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, and Lilo & Stitch. While it’s unlikely to match the record-setting Inside Out 2 from 2024 ($1.70B), it’s on track to be one of Marvel’s top performers this year.

Marvel’s strategic timing and superior audience engagement have positioned First Steps as a critical and commercial milestone.

You Must Know:

How much did Fantastic Four: First Steps make on opening weekend?

It earned $218 million globally, with $118 million from North America and $100 million internationally.

Is Fantastic Four: First Steps Marvel’s biggest opening in 2025?

Yes, it has outperformed Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts to become Marvel’s top superhero debut of the year.

How does it compare to Superman and F1 at the box office?

While both Superman and F1 have surpassed $500M globally, Fantastic Four had a stronger opening weekend and is expected to catch up quickly.

Which countries led the international earnings?

Mexico topped the international markets with $12M, followed by the UK/Ireland and France.

What formats contributed most to its success?

IMAX and premium viewing formats played a big role, making up 46% of North American earnings and $26.6M globally.

Who stars in Fantastic Four: First Steps?

The film features Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, directed by Matt Shakman.

With its $218 million debut, Fantastic Four: First Steps not only revives a legendary Marvel franchise but sets a new benchmark for superhero cinema in 2025.