The excitement surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe is palpable with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Debuting amidst a summer bedecked with blockbusters, this latest installment aims to reestablish Marvel’s first family in the hearts of audiences, just two weeks after the DC Universe’s remarkable success with Superman.
As the summer box office heats up, First Steps is generating strong buzz, projected to rake in between $120 million and $125 million during its opening weekend. This impressive start positions it head-to-head against Superman, which itself had a solid opening. The competition is fierce but exciting, as the superhero genre continues to dominate the silver screen.
Recent summer blockbusters like Jurassic World Rebirth and Ari Aster’s Eddington have claimed the box office spotlight, yet many other films have struggled to compete. With only one contender surpassing $30 million outside of the superhero realm, the stage seems set for the MCU to reclaim its throne.
# | Title | 3-Day Total | Cumulative (Domestic) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | The Fantastic Four: First Steps | $120-$125 million | $120-$125 million (weekend 1) |
2 | Superman | $24.5 million | $289.1 million (weekend 3) |
3 | Jurassic World Rebirth | $13 million | $301.5 million (weekend 4) |
4 | F1 | $6.3 million | $165.6 million (weekend 5) |
5 | Smurfs | $5.6 million | $22.9 million (weekend 2) |
First Steps not only made a significant impact but also knocked I Know What You Did Last Summer out of the top 5. While the latter’s $5 million haul following a -61% drop indicates a challenging second weekend, it underscores how family-friendly fare can often outperform other genres.
What This Means For The Box Office
Fantastic Four Is A Cut Above
The excitement was fully expected given Fantastic Four‘s strong pre-release numbers. As Superman bowed at $86.8 million last week, its rise pales compared to the anticipated debut of around $120 million for First Steps. This robust performance arrives at a perfect moment, as Marvel looks to shake off a slowly recovering reputation.
Interestingly, First Steps is projected to surpass the openings of Thunderbolts ($74 million) and Captain America: Brave New World ($89 million), suggesting that it could signal a turnaround for the MCU. In fact, it’s shaping up to be one of the top non-sequels in Marvel’s catalog, trailing behind only a few major titles like Deadpool & Wolverine, which boasts an impressive $211 million.
This weekend, superhero films dominated the box office, combining for a total of $145-$150 million. Despite concerns over superhero fatigue, there’s no denying their continued prominence. In contrast, films like Smurfs face uphill battles with budgets that require strong international earnings to recoup losses.
Our Take On The Weekend Box Office
The MCU Needed A Win
This moment marks a tremendous comeback for the Fantastic Four franchise, especially after the lackluster Fantastic Four (2015) installment. As the MCU continues to recalibrate its focus, prioritizing quality over quantity is vital in rebuilding trust with fans.
Critics have praised First Steps for its engaging narrative and entertainment value, yielding it an A- CinemaScore, which matches Superman in terms of audience reception. With the anticipation building around how First Steps will perform in the coming weeks, it’s clear that the MCU will be holding its breath.
The success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps enables Marvel Studios to enter a new chapter, one where engaging storytelling takes center stage. All eyes will be on this franchise as audiences eagerly await what’s next.