The Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office Tracking Data Signals a Marvel Comeback

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data is setting the stage for a potential Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) rebound, with early projections sparking excitement among fans and analysts alike.

Set to release on July 25, 2025, Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated reboot of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already broken records with its first-day ticket pre-sales, outpacing all other 2025 films on Fandango.

As the film gears up to introduce Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—in a retro-futuristic 1960s setting, the latest box office forecasts suggest a strong opening weekend that could redefine the MCU’s 2025 performance.

Why Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps Generating Such High Pre-Sale Buzz?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data highlights unprecedented demand, with ticket booking platforms like Fandango, AMC, and Regal crashing when pre-sales went live on June 4, 2025.

Fandango reported that the film set a 2025 record for first-day ticket sales, surpassing even Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which drew comparisons to 2019’s The Lion King. Social media posts on X, including from @Luiz_Fernando_J, noted that pre-sales were 1.2 times higher than Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a 2023 MCU hit.

This frenzy underscores the anticipation for Marvel’s First Family, bolstered by a stellar cast featuring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm.

What Are the Latest Box Office Projections for The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

According to Box Office Theory, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is projected to earn between $125 million and $155 million domestically during its opening weekend, a range that has risen since initial estimates of $125 million to $136 million.

This would mark the third-highest July opening for an MCU film, behind Deadpool & Wolverine ($211.4 million) and Thor: Love and Thunder ($144.2 million), and surpassing Spider-Man: Homecoming ($117 million).

Posts on X from @MCU_Direct and @F4Update confirm these figures, noting that the film could achieve the highest opening for any Fantastic Four movie to date. Globally, early estimates suggest a potential $800 million total, with some analysts, like those at ScreenRant, speculating a $1 billion haul if audience reception is strong.

How Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps Compare to Other 2025 Superhero Films?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data positions it as a major contender in a competitive summer landscape, particularly against James Gunn’s Superman, which opens on July 11, 2025.

Superman is tracking for a $140 million to $185 million domestic opening, with its own record-breaking pre-sales on Fandango. While Superman currently holds an edge, The Fantastic Four benefits from taking over IMAX and premium screens during Superman’s third weekend.

Unlike the underperforming 2025 MCU releases—Captain America: Brave New World ($88 million opening) and Thunderbolts* ($74 million opening)—First Steps is poised to capitalize on renewed fan enthusiasm and a lack of major competition in late July.

What Factors Are Driving The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Box Office Potential?

Several elements contribute to the promising Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data. The film’s 1960s-inspired aesthetic, directed by Matt Shakman and inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, offers a fresh take on the franchise.

The inclusion of cosmic villains like Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson) and Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) taps into the MCU’s multiversal narrative, setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.

Additionally, the film’s trailer, which garnered over 200 million views upon its February 2025 release, has fueled hype, with X users praising its retro vibe and family dynamics. The absence of an origin story, as confirmed by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, allows the film to dive straight into high-stakes action, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.

Can The Fantastic Four: First Steps Reach $1 Billion Globally?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data suggests a strong chance of crossing the $1 billion mark, a feat no previous Fantastic Four film has achieved. The 2005 Fantastic Four earned $333.1 million worldwide, while 2015’s Fan4stic bombed with $168 million.

Current projections align First Steps with MCU hits like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($863.7 million globally), with ScreenRant citing pre-sale success as a key indicator. However, competition from Superman and other summer blockbusters like Jurassic World: Rebirth could impact its legs.

Positive word-of-mouth and critical reception will be crucial, especially given the MCU’s recent box office struggles. If First Steps delivers, it could join Deadpool & Wolverine (2024, $1.3 billion) as a 2025 MCU triumph.

What Challenges Could Impact The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Box Office Performance?

Despite the optimistic Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data, challenges remain. The MCU’s 2025 struggles, with Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World underperforming, have raised concerns about superhero fatigue.

CBR notes that First Steps’ projected $125 million to $155 million opening, while strong, falls short of MCU peaks like Avengers: Endgame ($357 million). The proximity to Superman’s release could split audiences, and the film’s reported $250 million budget means it needs robust global earnings to turn a profit.

Additionally, while pre-sales are impressive, sustaining momentum through August will depend on the film’s quality and audience reception.

Highlights of The Fantastic Four: First Steps  

• Release Date: July 25, 2025, in theaters nationwide.

• Projected Opening Weekend: $125 million to $155 million domestically.

• Key Cast: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm).

• Villains: Ralph Ineson as Galactus, Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer.

• Pre-Sale Record: Highest first-day ticket sales of 2025 on Fandango.

• Global Potential: Estimated $800 million to $1 billion worldwide.

• Setting: 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world.

• Director: Matt Shakman, inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office tracking data paints a picture of a film ready to revitalize the MCU, with record-breaking pre-sales and projections signaling a return to form for Marvel Studios.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps prepares to soar into theaters on July 25, 2025, its blend of nostalgia, star power, and cosmic spectacle could make it a defining blockbuster of the summer.

Will Marvel’s First Family reclaim their place as cinematic icons? Join the conversation on X and grab your tickets to find out.