Fantastic Four Slumps 66% in Weekend Two, Earnings Fall Short of Forecasts

Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps retained the top box office position in its second weekend, but its financial performance raised eyebrows due to an unusually sharp 66% drop in revenue, earning $40 million from 4,125 North American theaters [1]. This decline was steeper than that of Marvel’s previous release, Thunderbolts, which dropped 55% in its second weekend [1]. Despite holding the box office crown, the film’s earnings fell well short of initial forecasts, which had ranged from $45–$52 million [1].

The film’s total domestic earnings after ten days reached approximately $170 million [1], significantly below its estimated $200 million production budget [1]. Internationally, Fantastic Four added nearly $40 million in its second weekend, bringing its global total to $369 million [1]. Analysts, including Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian, noted that the film’s steep drop was surprising given its strong critical reception [1]. The performance has sparked concerns about the film’s ability to recoup its costs and has raised questions about the staying power of Marvel’s latest offering [1].

The second weekend saw strong showings from other titles, including The Bad Guys 2, which earned $22 million and matched the opening performance of the first film in the series in 2022 [1]. Paramount’s The Naked Gun debuted in third place with $17 million [1]. Meanwhile, James Gunn’s Superman continued its run with $13.8 million domestically, bringing its global total past $550 million [1]. The horror film Together also made an impressive debut, earning $6.8 million and suggesting a growing appetite for niche and off-beat films in August [1].

The box office is currently up 9.5% compared to the same period last year [1], but analysts remain cautious. Dergarabedian noted that August is off to a slower start in terms of revenue growth compared to earlier summer months, and that films will need to rely heavily on strong reviews and audience engagement to sustain their performance [1]. He also pointed to upcoming releases like Freakier Friday and Weapons as potential catalysts for a box office resurgence in the coming weeks [1].

While Fantastic Four continues to dominate the top of the charts, its financial trajectory highlights the challenges of sustaining interest in the superhero genre after a front-loaded opening weekend [1]. The film’s long-term success will depend on its international performance and the strength of its legacy beyond its initial run.

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[1] https://fortune.com/2025/08/04/marvel-fantastic-four-box-office-second-weekend-disney/

[2] https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/8/2/shock-fantastic-four-falls-apart-in-weekend-two-with-80-drop-35m-targeted

[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/FantasticFour/comments/1mgjtus/a_few_questions/

[5] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/box-office-fantastic-four-braces-155450801.html

[6] https://www.worldofreel.com/