The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first film of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 6, released in July 2025, and the fifth movie in the Fantastic Four live-action series. Directed by Matt Shakman, written by Josh Friedman and others, and produced by Marvel Studios and 20th Century Studios, it presents a fully rebooted origin story of the Fantastic Four team.
Set in the 1960s, The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows four elite astronauts—Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic, played by Pedro Pascal), Susan Storm (Invisible Woman, played by Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Human Torch, played by Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (The Thing, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—who gain superhuman abilities after a cosmic radiation accident. After a period of confusion and conflict, they unite as a team to confront the planet-devouring Galactus and his herald, Silver Surfer, in a battle to save Earth.
Unlike previous MCU films, the movie embraces a retro-futuristic 1960s aesthetic with vibrant sci-fi visuals, blending warmth, hope, and the team’s human conflicts. The blockbuster features stunning visual effects spanning New York and outer space, complemented by Michael Giacchino’s score, which combines classic orchestral music with vintage synthesizers. The film has been praised for its nuanced character development and familial bonds.
Critics and audiences alike have lauded the film for its superior acting, entertainment value, direction, strong casting, and exceptional visual and auditory craftsmanship compared to prior series entries. Its accessible storytelling allows even MCU newcomers to engage easily. However, some have noted a lack of action typical of blockbuster films.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps 2025
- Korean : 판타스틱 4: 새로운 출발
- English : The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Japanese : ファンタスティック4:ファースト・ステップ
- Genres: Action | Sci-Fi | Superhero | Drama
- Director: Matt Shakman
- Writers: Josh Friedman, Cameron Klein
- Producer: Kevin Feige
- Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Ralph Ineson, Natasha Lyonne, Mark Gatiss
- Cinematography: Jessy Ross
- Music: Michael Giacchino
- Production Company: Marvel Studios
- Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Release Date: July 25, 2025
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Budget: Approximately $200 million
- Break-even Point: Approximately $500 million
- Box Office: $218,000,000 (as of July 27, 2025)
- Rating: Suitable for ages 12 and up
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ratings
- Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
- Naver Audience Rating: 8.37/10
- CGV Golden Egg Index: 85%
- IMDb: 7.8/10
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast
- Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic): A scientist and team leader who can stretch his body freely.
- Vanessa Kirby (Susan Storm/Invisible Woman): The team’s core member with invisibility and force field abilities.
- Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch): Susan’s brother, who can ignite his body and fly.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing): A powerful team member with rock-like skin.
- Julia Garner (Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer): Galactus’ herald, forewarning Earth’s destruction.
- Paul Walter Hauser (Harvey Elder/Mole Man): The villain ruling the underground city of Subterranea.
Director Matt Shakman’s Filmography
The production recreated 1960s New York with meticulous sets, and Galactus’ spaceship scenes combined CGI with practical sets. The budget of approximately $200 million ranks among Marvel’s higher-end films, with a break-even point estimated at $500 million. Matt Shakman, recognized for his work on WandaVision, skillfully blends emotional storytelling with action in The Fantastic Four. His notable works include:
- WandaVision (2021)
- The Boys (2019)
- Game of Thrones (2017)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Plot Summary
Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Susan Storm (Vanessa Kirby) are preparing dinner and enjoying a peaceful daily life on Earth-828 in 1964. Susan, who had been trying to have a child for two years without success, finally delivers the news that she is pregnant. Reed, both anxious and happy, wonders how the child will turn out since both parents have genetic mutations. Susan reassures him that they are ready to be parents.
On television, “The Ted Gilbert Show” host summarizes the Fantastic Four’s exploits over the past four years. The team—consisting of Reed, Susan, Susan’s younger brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn), and their friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—embarked on a space mission where they were exposed to cosmic rays, gaining different superpowers. Reed can freely stretch his body and is called ‘Mr. Fantastic’; Susan can become invisible and create force fields, making her known as the ‘Invisible Woman.’ Johnny can engulf his entire body in flames and is called the ‘Human Torch,’ while Ben transforms into a rocky figure, earning the nickname ‘The Thing.’
Known as heroes to New York citizens, the team fought and defeated the supervillain Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser). Afterwards, Susan mediated a separate charter with Mole Man and the underground city Subterranea. Although Mole Man still hates the Fantastic Four, he opens up thanks to Susan’s kindness…
When Reed and Susan share the pregnancy news with Ben and Johnny, Ben can tell just from Susan’s expression. Everyone, together with robot H.E.R.B.I.E., celebrates the happy news. As time passes, Ben and H.E.R.B.I.E. work to make their home safe for the child, Reed analyzes the baby’s DNA and builds a special pod to use instead of a crib, and he pours himself into research to complete a teleportation machine.
Meanwhile, on the street, Ben shows off his super strength by lifting a car for children, drawing cheers. During this, he meets the children’s teacher Rachel Roseman (Natasha Lyonne) and falls in love.
As the due date approaches, the Fantastic Four sense a storm gathering in the middle of the city and head to Times Square. There, they encounter an alien being named Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Silver Surfer informs them that her master, Galactus (Ralph Ineson), is about to destroy Earth, and that the planet is doomed. As she leaves, Silver Surfer says to Johnny in her native tongue, “Die with yours,” then flies into space. Johnny pursues her with his powers but, startled by her words, falls from the board and loses her.
Reed confirms other planets have been destroyed by Galactus’s attacks and promises to protect Earth, setting out into space. The Fantastic Four witness Galactus devouring a planet and, following Silver Surfer, arrive at his space outpost. Galactus offers to spare Earth in exchange for Reed and Susan’s baby, claiming the baby has the power to ease Galactus’s planetary hunger.
But rather than give up the baby, Susan, on the way back, names their son Franklin…
At a press conference, the Fantastic Four confess that they fought against Galactus but did not win. Reed reveals their choice to fight for Earth rather than sacrifice their baby, but the public’s reaction is unexpectedly cold. They protest that it’s excessive for Silver Surfer to demand the baby, but to no avail…
Reed plans to teleport Earth to another universe by constructing a bridge, but Silver Surfer destroys the bridge. Johnny investigates Silver Surfer’s past and discovers that she became Galactus’s herald by sacrificing her own soul to save her daughter and planet…
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ending
The Fantastic Four use Franklin as bait to lure Galactus and, in agreement with Mole Man, evacuate the citizens of Earth to the underground city. Galactus appears in the now-empty metropolis and a showdown unfolds as he reaches Baxter Building, where Franklin is. Susan creates a massive force field to push back Galactus, and Reed saves the baby during the chaos. Johnny attempts to sacrifice himself to stop Galactus, but Silver Surfer intervenes, sending Galactus to another universe, and disappears with him.
The Fantastic Four succeed in saving the baby and repelling Galactus by working together, but Susan, having used too much of her power, passes away. However, Franklin uses his superpowers to resurrect his mother. New York citizens once again welcome the Fantastic Four as heroes. Just as they are preparing to appear again on The Ted Gilbert Show as earth-saving heroes, they receive an emergency signal and set off in the Fantasticar. Reed, Ben, and Johnny install a baby car seat for Franklin and head off to another mission together.
Post-Credit Scenes
- Mid-Credit Scene: Four years later, Susan reads to toddler Franklin. While fetching water, she returns to find a stranger in a green cloak and metal mask—Doctor Doom—standing beside Franklin, hinting at future threats and sequels.
- Post-Credit Scene: A TV plays the intro of an animated Fantastic Four series in the Earth-828 universe. H.E.R.B.I.E. turns off the TV, ending the scene on a lighthearted note, showcasing the team’s cultural impact.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Interpretation
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a quintessential superhero blockbuster centered on family and sacrifice. Galactus’ demand for Franklin mirrors Silver Surfer’s sacrifice for her daughter, highlighting a cycle of selflessness. Susan grapples with her roles as a mother and hero, while Franklin’s powers symbolize hope. Doctor Doom’s appearance foreshadows the MCU’s expansion.
Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) A to Z
Dr.Doom movie : The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026), Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027)
Doctor Doom, aka Victor Von Doom, is a premier Marvel Comics and MCU supervillain. A genius scientist and ruler of Latveria, he combines advanced technology with powerful magic. Born to a poor family, he inherited his mother’s magical talents and father’s medical skills. A rival of Reed Richards in America, an experiment left him scarred, leading him to don a metal mask and armor, becoming Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four’s nemesis.
In the MCU, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Doom wields a protective suit, electromagnetic attacks, energy beams, teleportation, and supernatural abilities. His charismatic, layered performance has earned praise. A tragic yet narcissistic figure driven by philosophical and political ambitions, Doom is one of Marvel’s greatest villains, set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (December 17, 2027) as a multiversal saga antagonist.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Reviews
The Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off MCU Phase 6, following Ant-Man and the Wasp, Thunderbolts, and Deadpool & Wolverine, and introduces the mutant storyline. Matt Shakman’s direction balances cosmic scale with everyday moments, with the Times Square battle and Galactus’ ship visually stunning. However, Galactus’ arc feels underdeveloped, and the focus on family over action may disappoint fans expecting blockbuster spectacle. Still, the 114-minute runtime is well-paced, appealing to both Marvel fans and audiences seeking family-friendly films.
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