The latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has debuted to strong critical reception ahead of its official release. Reviews published today suggest that the film may be poised for a successful launch when it arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025. With generally favorable critiques, many see this as a promising new chapter for Marvel Studios as it ushers in Phase Six of its cinematic universe.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a fresh rating of 87 percent, with 95 positive reviews against 14 negative. This places Fantastic Four: First Steps alongside other high-ranking MCU titles, including Ant-Man and The Wasp (87 percent), Doctor Strange (89 percent), and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (90 percent). The positive reception echoes the strong debut seen earlier this year by Superman, raising expectations that First Steps may enjoy both critical and commercial success.
Metacritic offers a slightly more tempered but still respectable average score of 65. While this figure does not place it at the top of the MCU hierarchy, it compares favorably with other recent releases. For example, it edges past Deadpool & Wolverine (56) and Captain America: Brave New World (42), while landing close to Thunderbolts (68). In contrast, some of Marvel’s earlier hits, such as Black Panther (88) and Avengers: Endgame (78), continue to hold their places at the top of Metacritic’s MCU rankings.
Directed by Matt Shakman and penned by a team of writers including Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the second reboot of the franchise under Marvel Studios. The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the titular team, with supporting performances from Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson. Set in a stylized, retro-futuristic version of the 1960s, the plot follows the Fantastic Four as they defend their world against the cosmic threat of Galactus, portrayed by Ineson.
Fantastic Four: First Steps had its world premiere on July 21 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. With critics already responding positively, the film appears well-positioned to meet the high expectations placed upon it. As Marvel’s first offering in Phase Six, it could signal a renewed creative push for the studio.
