"Fantastic Four: First Steps" Scores $118M Debut, Boosts Late July Box Office

The Fantastic Four: First Steps has scored an estimated $118 million debut at the domestic box office, marking a surge in late July box office earnings. Marvel Studios' film grossed the amount across 4,125 locations, according to Comscore estimates. The success of the film is attributed to its strong performance in IMAX.

Title: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Scores $118 Million Debut, Boosting Late July Box Office

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest installment in Marvel Studios' superhero franchise, has opened to an estimated $118 million at the domestic box office. The film, which stars Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby as the iconic superheroes, grossed the amount across 4,125 locations, according to Comscore estimates [1].

The success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is attributed to its strong performance in IMAX theaters, which accounted for a significant portion of its total earnings. The film has also been well-received by critics, with a Tomatometer score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes [2].

The film's debut marks a notable improvement in late July box office earnings, which have been relatively subdued in recent years. This resurgence is particularly significant for Marvel Studios, which has seen less predictable results in recent years, with films like Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World underperforming compared to previous installments [1].

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the latest in a series of Marvel films that have struggled to maintain the franchise's historical box office success. However, the film's strong opening weekend suggests that audiences are still eager for new Marvel content, particularly when it features popular characters and a fresh take on the source material [2].

The film's success is also a positive sign for Disney, which has been facing challenges in the streaming wars and has been looking to reduce its output of Marvel films to focus on other projects. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first of two Marvel films set for release in 2025, with the next installment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for later in the year [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-27/-fantastic-four-tops-box-office-in-reset-for-marvel-franchise
[2] https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/weekend-box-office-fantastic-four-scores-big-win-for-marvel/