Why Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime a Record-Breaking 2 Hours and 10 Minutes?

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to soar into theaters on July 25, 2025, with a confirmed runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it the longest Fantastic Four film in the franchise’s history.

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime has sparked curiosity among fans, as it surpasses the durations of previous adaptations and stands as one of the lengthier entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. But why has Marvel opted for such an extended runtime?

This speculative article explores the potential reasons behind this bold choice, weaving together insights from the film’s context, creative ambitions, and MCU strategy, all grounded in verifiable details.

What Makes the 2-Hour-10-Minute Runtime Significant?

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime of 130 minutes, as confirmed by AMC Theatres, marks a departure from the shorter runtimes of prior Fantastic Four films: 106 minutes for 2005’s Fantastic Four, 92 minutes for 2007’s Rise of the Silver Surfer, 100 minutes for 2015’s Fant4stic, and roughly 90 minutes for the unreleased 1994 Roger Corman film.

This extended duration also positions it as the longest MCU film since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (150 minutes), outpacing recent entries like Thunderbolts (126 minutes) and Captain America: Brave New World (118 minutes). The decision to grant First Steps such a substantial runtime suggests Marvel is aiming for a comprehensive introduction to Marvel’s First Family, but what specific factors might be driving this choice?

Could World-Building in a Retro-Futuristic Universe Require Extra Time?

Set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic alternate universe, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces a wholly new setting distinct from the MCU’s main Earth-616 timeline.

This unique backdrop, described by director Matt Shakman as evoking “Stanley Kubrick’s 1965 aesthetic,” demands significant screen time to establish its visual and narrative tone.

Practical sets, period-specific costumes, and a vibrant, analog sci-fi aesthetic—highlighted in trailers and D23 footage—require careful pacing to immerse audiences.

Unlike previous Fantastic Four films, which leaned on familiar modern settings, this film’s alternate reality, complete with the Fantasticar and a reimagined New York City, likely necessitates extended sequences to ground viewers in its world.

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime may reflect Marvel’s commitment to letting this ambitious vision breathe, ensuring the retro-futuristic universe feels tangible and integral to the story.

Is the Ensemble Cast Driving the Need for a Longer Runtime?

With a stacked ensemble led by 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), alongside Ralph Ineson as Galactus, Julia Garner as Silver Surfer, and supporting players like John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Paul Walter Hauser, First Steps has a lot of characters to juggle.

Unlike the 2015 reboot, criticized for its rushed pacing within a 100-minute frame, this film appears to prioritize character development. The extended The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime could be a deliberate choice to flesh out the team’s family dynamic—central to the Fantastic Four’s appeal—while giving antagonists like Galactus and Silver Surfer sufficient depth.

Speculatively, scenes showcasing Reed’s intellect, Sue’s leadership, Johnny’s bravado, and Ben’s emotional arc, as teased in trailers, may require additional minutes to resonate, especially as the film sets up their roles in Avengers: Doomsday.

Does the Cosmic Scale of Galactus Demand a Grand Runtime?

The inclusion of Galactus, a planet-devouring cosmic entity, elevates The Fantastic Four: First Steps to a scale unseen in prior Fantastic Four films. Producer Grant Curtis described the stakes as “the most epic you can imagine,” with Galactus’ threat being universal in scope.

Rendering a villain of this magnitude—complete with a massive costume designed to make him feel like “Mount Rushmore,” per Shakman—likely requires extended action sequences and visual effects.

A Snapple promo leak revealed Galactus’ towering design, hinting at spectacle-driven scenes that could eat up runtime. Additionally, the Silver Surfer’s role as his herald, teased heavily in the April 17 trailer, suggests complex interactions that may unfold over multiple acts.

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime might be tailored to accommodate these grandiose set pieces, ensuring the cosmic battle feels appropriately monumental without shortchanging the human elements.

Is Marvel Setting Up Phase Six and Beyond?

As the first film in the MCU’s Phase Six, The Fantastic Four: First Steps carries the weight of launching a new era while laying groundwork for Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), where the Fantastic Four are confirmed to appear.

Rumors, including posts on X, speculate that the film may introduce elements like Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr. in future projects) or connect to the multiverse via post-credits scenes. The longer The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime could be Marvel’s strategy to weave in these narrative threads, ensuring the Fantastic Four’s alternate universe feels self-contained yet primed for integration into the broader MCU.

Unlike The Marvels (105 minutes), which faced criticism for feeling rushed, Marvel may be giving First Steps extra time to establish Reed Richards as a pivotal figure—potentially the MCU’s new intellectual anchor post-Tony Stark.

Could Fan Expectations and Franchise Redemption Play a Role?

The Fantastic Four franchise has a checkered cinematic history, with the 2005 and 2007 films earning mixed reviews and the 2015 reboot widely panned for its lack of cohesion. Fans, vocal on platforms like Reddit, have long awaited a definitive adaptation, with one X user stating, “F4 is my favorite, and I’ve had to sit through 20 years of MCU without them.”

Marvel, aware of this sentiment, may have extended the The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime to deliver a comprehensive reboot that honors the comics’ legacy. By avoiding the pitfalls of the 2015 film’s truncated 100-minute runtime, which critics slammed for poor pacing, Marvel could be ensuring that First Steps has the space to balance action, heart, and humor—key ingredients for a crowd-pleaser.

Positive test screening buzz, as noted in X posts, further supports the idea that the runtime is calibrated to meet high expectations.

What Challenges Might the Longer Runtime Pose?

While the The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime promises depth, it’s not without risks. Some X posts and Reddit threads have raised concerns about pacing, with unverified leaks suggesting mixed test screening feedback on character development and CGI polish.

A longer runtime could amplify these issues if not tightly edited, especially as Marvel aims to keep audiences engaged in a post-Endgame landscape. However, director Matt Shakman’s experience with WandaVision suggests he can handle sprawling narratives, and the 130-minute duration—shorter than the initially rumored 140 minutes—indicates careful trimming during post-production to maintain momentum.

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime seems to strike a balance between ambition and accessibility, aiming to satisfy without overstaying its welcome.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Runtime Built for Greatness

The The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes reflects Marvel’s bold vision to redefine Marvel’s First Family for a new era. By allocating extra time to craft a vivid retro-futuristic world, develop a robust ensemble, deliver cosmic spectacle, and plant seeds for the MCU’s future, Marvel is betting big on First Steps as a franchise cornerstone.

While challenges like pacing remain, the extended duration signals confidence in a story that demands to be told on an epic scale. As fans count down to July 25, 2025, the The Fantastic Four: First Steps Runtime promises a cinematic experience that could finally do justice to Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben—ushering in a fantastic new chapter for the MCU.