The Fantastic Four: The First Steps has made its long-awaited debut on Disney+. Originally released in theaters on July 25, 2025, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were eagerly awaiting this superhero team to “flame on” to their screens at home. And it did not disappoint.
Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie follows a team led by Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), her brother Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and pilot Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), five years after a cosmic event alters their DNA, granting them extraordinary powers.
Reed and Sue are expecting their first child, when a woman, who appears to be made of metal and riding a surfboard (Julia Garner), condemns their world to death. By who? The planet-eating titan Galactus. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s up to The Fantastic Four to save the world and their unborn child.
What sets this movie apart, as cheesy as it sounds, is family. This film shows that family doesn’t need to be defined by blood, but by love and connection. While most members of The Fantastic Four are related in some way, they look to the everyday citizen, extend their hands, welcoming them into their family. It’s that level of love and trust that tugs at the heartstrings and makes the audience fall in love with this edition of the team.
Ahead of its release, some fans of the 1994, 2005, 2007, and 2015 films were concerned about this new adaptation, believing it would be the same story with different actors. Unlike the previous adaptations of this franchise, not much of their origin story is shown. This works in the movie’s favor because the plot doesn’t drag on or feel drawn out. However, Shakman provides just enough context so that the Marvel novice could sit down, watch this movie, and still walk away feeling as though they understand the full story.
This movie holds all the qualities that fans fell in love with when they first came to the screen in 1994. The action, storyline, and chemistry mark the rebirth of this franchise. As with all movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this movie promises to play a larger role in future movies to come. The post-credit scene sets up for the first appearance of Robert Downey Junior as Dr. Doom, the villain in the upcoming Avengers movie.
Although we may not see them again until 2026 for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel fans can count on The Fantastic Four to fight alongside superheroes old and new.
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps is available to stream on Disney+ now!
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