Marvel Studios may have scored a major opening with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), but the superhero reboot is now showing signs of early trouble at the box office.
Just one week ago, Marvel looked to be back on solid ground. The Fantastic Four: First Steps launched with a strong $218 million global debut—an impressive figure that marked a notable win for Disney and Marvel as the studio attempts to recover its footing amid a turbulent year.
Of that total, $118 million came from domestic theaters, while another $100 million rolled in from 52 international markets. The numbers initially pointed to high audience interest in the return of Marvel’s First Family—both from longtime fans and curious newcomers.
Heading into opening weekend, tracking had the film pegged for somewhere between $190 million and $210 million worldwide. Featuring a new ensemble cast including Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing), the film exceeded forecasts. Julia Garner plays Shalla-Bal, while Ralph Ineson portrays the cosmic threat, Galactus. The debut suggested Marvel might have found the right ingredients to revitalize the MCU.
But one week later, the momentum appears to be fading fast.
According to Variety, “Fantastic Four grossed $11.7 million domestically in its second Friday on the big screen, marking a devastating 80% drop from its debut. If the poor turnout continues, the film will most likely fall short of its initial weekend two estimates of $45 to $52 million by Sunday.” The outlet adds, “Its domestic grand total currently sits at $170 million and could reach as high as $198 million by the end of the weekend. Marvel shelled out more than $200 million to produce Fantastic Four.”
With a production cost exceeding $200 million and following the underperformance of Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* earlier this year, this steep second-week decline raises fresh concerns about Marvel Studios’ current trajectory.
Will The Fantastic Four be able to steady its course? Or is Marvel’s attempted rebound stalling out too soon?
Let us know your take on the box office plunge in the comments.
