“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” grossed $118 million at the domestic box office over the weekend—largely meeting earlier projections, but still placing it behind “Superman” for the biggest superhero film opening of 2025 so far.

First Steps after Thunderbolts* was, thankfully, avoided by Marvel Studios. Thanks to upcoming Marvel movies like Avengers: Doomsday, the storylines of Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are somewhat linked.

First Steps hits theaters this weekend, audiences will get a very good look at a very retro spaceship, the Excelsior. But didn't we already see this rocketship before? Haven't the Fantastic Four already crossed over into the main Marvel universe?

This iteration of the Fantastic Four has a standalone adventure without all the burden of the MCU's history and cast of characters.

Marvel's Fantastic Four is heading for a box office opening north of $100 million as the MCU provides an antidote to universe fatigue.

First Steps” is the third Marvel movie to hit theaters this year, but it packs way more hidden references and nods than “Captain America: Brave New World” or “Thunderbolts.” It’s not on the same level of Easter eggs as last year’s “Deadpool and Wolverine,

The latest Marvel film, starring Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, is a charmingly retro adventure that focuses on the strongest power of them all—a mother’s love.

That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023’s “The Marvels,” this spring’s fourth “Captain America” movie and “Thunderbolts*” all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new “Fantastic Four” may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises.