The Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first family, has seen more reboots than most superhero teams, but none have quite managed to capture the magic fans hoped for. With Marvel Studios now stepping in to set things right with Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s the perfect time to take a walk down memory lane. Let’s rewind and explore every Fantastic Four movie that’s led up to this much-anticipated reboot. Here’s your ultimate guide to watching all the Fantastic Four movies in order.
1. Fantastic Four (1994)
- Release Date- May 13, 1994
- Cast- Joseph Culp, Alex Hyde-White, Rebecca Staab, Jay Underwood, Carl Ciarfalio, Annie Gagen, Michael Bailey Smith, Kat Green
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes- 3.8/27%
- Director- Oley Sassone
If you think the Fantastic Four made their cinematic debut in 2005, think again. The first Fantastic Four movie was actually produced in 1994. Despite being completed, the film was shelved and never officially released. That said, bootleg versions have found their way online, and you can still watch it if you’re curious enough. The plot is straightforward, and the budget was tight, which shows in the visuals. But hey, if you’re a die-hard fan of Marvel’s first family, it might be worth a nostalgic watch — just don’t expect any MCU-level polish.
2. Fantastic Four (2005)
- Release Date- July 8, 2005
- Cast- Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffudd, Julian McMahon, Laurie Holden, Kerry Washington
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes- 5.7/27%
- Director- Tim Story
This was the film that officially brought Marvel’s first family from the comic book pages to the silver screen. Fantastic Four (2005) came with a big budget and an A-list cast, aiming to kick off a new era of superhero cinema. The plot was simple: Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm head off on a space mission, get blasted by cosmic rays, and return with superpowers.
As heroes emerged, so did a villain in the form of Doctor Doom. While the movie didn’t exactly wow critics and underperformed at the box office, it still holds a special place in the hearts of die-hard fans, and over the years, it’s gained cult classic status.
3. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
- Release Date- June 15, 2007
- Cast- Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis, Doug Jones, Julian McMahon, Laurence Fishburne, Kerry Washington, Beau Garrett
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes- 5.6/37%
- Director- Tim Story
After the first Fantastic Four movie underperformed at the box office, the studio wasn’t ready to give up just yet. So, they went ahead with a sequel — Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Visually, it was a step up from the first one, and the introduction of the Silver Surfer and Galactus added some intrigue. The character designs were decent, and there were a few solid action sequences that stood out. But let’s be honest — none of that really mattered when the story itself just didn’t land.
Once again, weak storytelling dragged the film down, and despite the upgrades, the sequel flopped too. That was the final nail in the coffin for this version of the Fantastic Four, and the cast never returned for a third outing.
4. Fantastic Four (2015)
- Release Date- August 7, 2015
- Cast- Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Tim Blake Nelson
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes- 4.3/9%
- Director- Josh Trank
If there was ever a textbook example of wasted potential, it’s Fantastic Four (2015). The movie tried to take a darker, more serious approach to Marvel’s first family, but it ended up being one of the most disliked entries in the franchise. Not only did it change the tone drastically, but it also reworked the origin story, ditching the iconic cosmic rays for powers from a random alternate dimension. Needless to say, fans weren’t impressed.
And let’s not even get started on Doctor Doom, who was so drastically altered that he barely resembled the character at all. The cast, which included some genuinely talented actors, had promise, but the script, pacing, and overall execution dragged the whole thing down. In the end, this Fantastic Four movie wasn’t just a misfire — it was a full-blown disaster.
5. Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
- Release Date- July 25, 2025
- Cast- Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, John Malkovich, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Matthew Wood
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes- TBA
- Director- Matt Shakman
After years of false starts and forgettable movies, The Fantastic Four is finally getting the comeback it deserves — and this time, they’re joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Titled Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film introduces Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. With Marvel’s First Family officially stepping into the MCU, expectations are sky-high.
So far, we know that Silver Surfer and Galactus will be the central antagonists, but the actual plot remains under wraps. However, there are certain theories that arose from the Thunderbolts post-credit scene, and I guess the answers will come when the film hits theaters on July 25, 2025 — and if Marvel plays its cards right, this could be the version that finally does justice to the legacy of the Fantastic Four.
