The Fantastic 4: First Steps

Set in a glossy, 1960s-flavored, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic 4: First Steps follows Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm as they balance scientific ambition, sibling ties, and sudden responsibilities as Earth’s newest protectors. After a risky experiment scatters the team across cosmic energies, each member wakes with strange new powers that test their trust and patience. When an enormous cosmic threat arrives, the group has to learn how to combine their abilities while protecting the people they love, and while Reed tries to keep the team from tearing itself apart under pressure.

Directed by Matt Shakman, the film pulls from characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, with Eric Pearson credited among the creative team. It was released in 2025 and leans into comic-book roots while updating the aesthetic for modern audiences.

The movie opened wide in 2025 and drew sizable audiences across multiple markets, becoming one of the more visible franchise entries of the year for the studio, without relying on a single blockbuster headline number.

Critical consensus sits near a 7.0 out of 10 based on audience and critic votes, with many reviewers praising the cast chemistry and the emotional core that centers on family loyalty. Themes include responsibility, scientific curiosity, and how fame affects interpersonal relationships, delivered with action set pieces and quieter character beats.

The film’s look and tone sparked plenty of conversation online, thanks to its retro-futurist production design and the scale of its cosmic visuals, especially the big-screen depiction of Galactus and his Herald. Casting choices, particularly Pedro Pascal as Reed and Vanessa Kirby as Sue, generated buzz, and sequences referencing classic comic panels were often highlighted by fans and creators on social platforms.