Marvel's "First Family" has had a rough time on the big screen. Before 2025, every Fantastic Four movie struggled with the same basic problems.
Studios couldn't decide if these should be serious sci-fi films or light family comedies, creating a tone confusion that plagued each attempt. The movies focused on superpowers instead of the tight family bond that makes the comics special, missing what fans actually loved about the characters.
There was significant studio interference, especially with the 2015 version, and filmmakers never fully embraced the sci-fi elements that make the Fantastic Four unique from other superhero teams. Each movie also came out during different phases of superhero movie evolution, and none quite fit their moment. None of the pre-MCU Fantastic Four films received a positive critical reception, making this one of the most consistently unsuccessful superhero franchises in Hollywood.
The Fantastic Four (1994)
This animated television series based on Marvel's comic book series aired from September 24, 1994, until February 24, 1996, running for two seasons with 13 episodes per season. Part of Fox Kids' Marvel Action Hour programming block alongside Iron Man, this animated series followed the cosmic-powered family as they battled classic villains like Doctor Doom, Galactus, and the Skrulls across multiple dimensions and realities.
The first season was disappointing with the show's silly dialogue, crude animation, and plot holes, though the drawing was often plain bad, generally looking weird and unimpressive. However, the second season had improved in every area, with better character development and more faithful comic adaptations. The voice cast featured Beau Weaver as Reed Richards, Lori Alan as Sue Storm, Brian Austin Green (later replaced by Quinton Flynn) as Johnny Storm, and Chuck McCann as Ben Grimm. While it captured the family dynamic better than most live-action attempts and featured ambitious storylines drawn directly from the comics, the limited animation budget and inconsistent quality made it feel more like a Saturday morning cartoon than the epic sci-fi adventure. Still, for '90s kids who grew up with it, there's a nostalgic charm that makes it worth revisiting.
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Fantastic Four (2005)
When a space mission goes wrong, four astronauts return to Earth forever changed by cosmic radiation. Reed Richards can stretch his body like rubber, Sue Storm can turn invisible, Johnny Storm bursts into flames, and Ben Grimm becomes a rock-solid powerhouse. But as they're still figuring out their new abilities, a old friend from Reed's past emerges with his own agenda - and powers that might be even more dangerous than theirs.
The first attempt at bringing Marvel's First Family to the big screen has a cheerful, comic book-y vibe that doesn't take itself too seriously. Chris Evans is great as Johnny Storm, and the movie feels like Saturday morning cartoons in the best way possible. However, the effects look dated now, the story is pretty basic, and it's forgettable overall. It's not bad, just lightweight - perfect if you want something nostalgic or you're doing a complete Marvel movie marathon.
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Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The world's most powerful superhero team faces their greatest challenge yet when a mysterious silver being appears, seemingly destroying everything in his path. As Reed and Sue plan their wedding, strange cosmic events begin happening around the globe. Who is this Silver Surfer, and what does his arrival mean for Earth? The team must uncover the truth behind this enigmatic figure before an even greater threat emerges from the stars.
The sequel builds on what worked in the first movie, with better team chemistry and cooler visuals. The Silver Surfer is actually pretty compelling as a character, and the family dynamic between the four heroes feels more natural this time around. Unfortunately, it's still too lightweight for its own good, and some plot points don't make much sense. If you enjoyed the 2005 version and want to see the story continue, this one's worth watching.
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Fantastic Four (2015)
Brilliant young scientist Reed Richards builds a teleporter to another dimension with his friends, but their first test goes catastrophically wrong. When they return, each has been fundamentally altered in terrifying ways - gaining powers they never wanted while facing a transformed world that fears them. But the real horror isn't what they've become; it's what they left behind in that other dimension, and what's now trying to follow them home.
This was supposed to be a darker, more serious reboot, but it completely fell apart during production. The film made $25.6 million on its opening weekend, marking one of the lowest openings of all time for a major superhero movie. The characters barely interact as a family, the tone is all over the place, and you can literally see where studio reshoots were stitched in. It's more frustrating than entertaining - skip it unless you're curious about how badly a superhero movie can go wrong.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
In a retro-futuristic 1960s where space exploration has advanced far beyond our timeline, the Fantastic Four are already established heroes protecting both Earth and the broader cosmos. But when an old enemy resurfaces with a plan that threatens multiple realities, the team must venture into uncharted territories of both science and family loyalty. Their greatest adventure yet will test not just their powers, but the bonds that make them more than just teammates - they make them family.
The MCU's 2025 version gets the family dynamic right from the start. Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, it feels both fresh and true to the comics. Pedro Pascal brings warmth and intelligence to Reed Richards, while Vanessa Kirby gives Sue Storm real emotional depth. The sibling relationship between Johnny and Sue finally feels authentic. Instead of another origin story, this drops us into a world where the team already exists and has history together. It's confident, emotionally grounded, and actually fun to watch. The Fantastic Four: First Steps became the most positively reviewed film in the series, proving that the Fantastic Four can work on screen - they just needed the right approach, the right cast, and a studio that understood what makes them special as a family first, superheroes second.
For a detailed breakdown of the plot and my full thoughts on why this film finally breaks the 30-year curse, read my complete Fantastic Four: First Steps Review.
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Should You Watch Them All?
If you just want a good Fantastic Four movie, start with The Fantastic Four: First Steps from 2025 - it finally delivers what fans have been waiting for. If you're really curious about how Marvel kept getting the movies wrong, watch them in chronological order to see the evolution of the franchise. But honestly, the 2025 version is the only one that truly succeeds at capturing what makes these characters special.