A new Marvel reboot is drawing record audiences—and reigniting interest in the franchise with a promising financial launch and fresh cinematic identity.

At a Glance

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps is expected to open globally between $190–210 million, trailing just behind DC’s Superman reboot
• Domestic estimates range from $115–135 million, bolstered by $24.4 million in Thursday previews
• Opening day in India hit ₹5.1 crore (~$6.2 million USD), despite local box office competition
• The film’s global debut is already set to surpass the entire 2015 Fantastic Four run, which earned only $168 million
• This marks a narrative reboot with no origin story and a distinct 1960s-inspired aesthetic

Box Office Launch & Fan Reaction

From early presale momentum to Comic-Con buzz, First Steps has delivered one of Marvel’s most promising starts in years. Thursday preview earnings of $24.4 million set the tone for what’s tracking as a $115–135 million domestic debut. Globally, the film is expected to finish its first weekend near $200 million—marking a strong return for Marvel’s long-troubled First Family.

Watch a report: The Fantastic Four First Steps Friday Box Office Numbers

Overseas, India delivered a ₹5.1 crore opening despite a crowded slate, and early screenings across Europe and Latin America showed consistent sell-outs. Industry analysts point to the absence of a traditional origin story, the period-inspired visuals, and performances from an A-list cast as factors driving engagement.

Why It Matters

Directed by Matt Shakman, First Steps avoids the mistakes of its predecessors by skipping redundant plotlines and focusing on character depth, retro design, and multiverse integration. The film’s tone blends optimism and maturity, earning it an 88% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and strong early fan reviews.

This reboot isn’t just a box office win—it may restore audience confidence in Phase Six, particularly after lukewarm responses to other recent MCU entries. With Disney executives eyeing future Avengers integrations and sequels already in development, the momentum from First Steps could signal a creative renaissance at Marvel Studios.

Outlook

Whether or not it tops DC’s Superman in week-one earnings, Fantastic Four: First Steps has already eclipsed expectations for a franchise once thought unfixable. It’s a rare moment of clarity for superhero cinema: one built not on spectacle alone, but on narrative coherence and generational charm.

For Marvel, this may be less about rivalry and more about resurrection—a successful return to the fundamentals that built its empire, one ticket at a time.