‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Pre-Sales Beat Other 2025 Marvel Movies but Still Behind ‘Superman’

Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four: First Steps is expected to be Disney’s last big summer movie, with the film tracking for an opening weekend of around $100 to $110 million when it arrives in U.S. theaters on July 25, according to industry sources.

While some say Disney has been worried about the film’s performance, the early numbers suggest things are going well so far. Presales have already reached $13 million as of Monday, putting the movie ahead of this year’s Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World. However, First Steps is still about 20% behind Warner Bros.’ Superman, which opened to $125 million.

This time, expectations are higher for the Fantastic Four compared to the last attempt back in 2015, which flopped badly. That version, directed by Josh Trank, opened with just $25.6 million and finished with $56.1 million in the U.S. and about $167.9 million worldwide. Fans are hoping for better now that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige is in charge, with Matt Shakman, who worked on WandaVision, directing the new movie.

Still, experts warn that the Fantastic Four brand might have a limit when it comes to box office success. The biggest opening for any Fantastic Four movie before this was Silver Surfer in 2007, which opened with $58 million, just slightly higher than the first movie in 2005.

Sources believe reviews could play a big role in how the movie does. As one insider put it, “Just like reviews convinced audiences to go to Superman for the nth time, so will they persuade non-frequent moviegoers here on Fantastic Four.”

The budget for First Steps is around $200 million, which is typical for a Marvel movie, although it’s the studio’s most expensive production of 2025. It’s still far less than Avengers: Endgame, which cost about $400 million to make.

The movie’s release timing could also help. It arrives after Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman, both of which have done well in theaters, but Disney doesn’t need Fantastic Four to break records to make a profit.

With a solid opening and steady ticket sales through August, it could end up doing fine overall. It’s also the last major Hollywood blockbuster set to release this summer, giving it a clear path at the box office without much direct competition.

Fantastic Four: First Steps will have its world premiere on July 21 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. It will then open everywhere in the U.S. on July 25. The movie is the first film of Phase Six in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a sequel is already in the works.

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