After Superman, Fantastic Four is the next biggest movie of summer 2025 – and, going by early box office projections, it could be looking at an even bigger debut.
James Gunn’s DCU is off to a great start with Superman. It has already grossed over $220 million worldwide, making it the biggest launch for a solo Supes movie ever and the first time a DC film has opened with over $100M in the US since Wonder Woman – that was in 2017.
However, it has a heavyweight theatrical contender with Fantastic Four. Don’t let the failure of 2015’s reboot fool you: they are incredibly popular, and their arrival in the MCU is something fans have wanted for a very long time. Plus, it has the benefit of four big stars in its ensemble, and while the story is setting up Avengers: Doomsday next year.
In other words, if it’s great, Fantastic Four has the potential to be a box office monster.
How much will Fantastic Four make?
Fantastic Four is estimated to open with between $125-155 million in the US, with Box Office Theory projecting it could make as much as $277-395 million by the end of its run.
Those are some big numbers. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps is still in steady territory as it looks to benefit from being the next-on-deck tentpole release following Superman, meaning pre-sale pacing will accelerate organically over the next two weeks,” the outlet wrote.
“Thursday’s domestic previews for July 24 are currently pacing toward a $25 million start with potential to climb if reviews and buzz escalate. Embargoes will lift the morning of July 22.”
For context, Superman opened with $122 million in the US, so even the low end of Fantastic Four’s estimates are higher.
Why Fantastic Four could beat Superman
Remember, Superman had a much harder job than Fantastic Four. Not only is it the first movie of a reboot that was ordered because its past iteration (DCEU) was such a calamitous, messy failure that it damaged the public’s perception of the franchise, but it’s starting with a hero that famously hasn’t been a massive box office draw.
There’s a lot at stake with Superman, but you could argue that box office performance isn’t as important as people liking it and being interested in what’s next.
That’s not to say it won’t make plenty of money, but with only two weeks of theatrical space before Fantastic Four takes its share, it could be a tough ask to hit the $700 million mark.
Fantastic Four’s advantage is also a drawback: it’s part of the MCU. Once upon a time, that meant guaranteed box-office returns, but beyond a couple of nostalgia-bait exceptions (Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine), it’s had a run of low-performing films: Thunderbolts ($382M), Captain America: Brave New World ($415M), and The Marvels ($206M).
There’s definitely an air of hype around Fantastic Four’s release, and considering its pre-sales caused Fandango and other sites to crash, the movie could prove to be a much-needed hit for Marvel.
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