The Marvel Cinematic Universe has entered a new phase—both narratively and financially—with the arrival of a long-awaited reboot that fans have been anticipating for over a decade.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the inaugural entry in Marvel’s Phase Six, has arrived with serious momentum. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film introduces Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular heroes, now officially part of the MCU.
It’s Marvel’s first major hit in some time. With recent efforts like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* (2025) struggling to make a global splash, this new ensemble has managed to reverse course. The key difference? Accessibility. First Steps doesn’t require a deep dive into past Marvel lore or Disney+ continuity, which had become a sticking point for many casual viewers.
Opening to a global total of $218 million—including $118 million domestic and $100 million international—the film offered Marvel and Disney a much-needed success story at the summer box office.
Initial tracking suggested the film would land between $190 million and $210 million globally, but the final numbers slightly exceeded those estimates. The cast also includes Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson as the world-devouring Galactus, helping build anticipation ahead of release.
The opening puts First Steps in a neck-and-neck race with DC’s recently released Superman reboot, which tallied $217 million before being revised to $220 million. The direct comparison between the two superhero heavyweights is likely to persist throughout the summer.
Still, Marvel can claim its biggest superhero debut of 2025 so far. Earlier films in the year, Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, opened at $180 million and $162 million, respectively. First Steps has already outpaced both.
The true test will be longevity, but so far, early audience feedback and a lively online discourse point toward continued momentum for the rebooted franchise.
Despite skipping San Diego Comic-Con this year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige made headlines after speaking with members of the press about what’s ahead. From navigating the effects of the streaming surge to restructuring the franchise’s major arcs, Feige offered a roadmap for Marvel’s evolution.
“Reboot is a scary word,” he told Variety. “Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline–we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
His comments reaffirm sentiments made by Joe and Anthony Russo earlier this year. The Russo Brothers described Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) as foundational entries—more of a new beginning than a conclusion, unlike 2018’s Infinity War and 2019’s Endgame.
A mysterious new figure has emerged, hinting at major shifts to come in the overarching narrative. Next on the schedule is Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), which will bring Tom Holland back into the fold ahead of the high-stakes Doomsday.
With The Fantastic Four giving the studio a much-needed shot of momentum, Marvel now finds itself with renewed energy. The road ahead may still be uncertain, but if the launch of First Steps is any indication, audiences are willing to come along for the ride.
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