It’s a big weekend for Marvel as they launch “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” This movie is expected to make between $100 million and $110 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. Internationally, it could pull in another $90 million to $100 million. Altogether, that’s a projected global total of $190 million to $210 million.
This opening is on par with the recent “Superman” movie, which debuted with $125 million domestically and $220 million worldwide. Earlier Marvel films this year, like “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts,” had lower opening weekends, earning $88.8 million and $74 million respectively in the U.S.
While Marvel films often start strong, they can dip significantly in subsequent weekends. For example, “Captain America: Brave New World” made around $415 million, and “Thunderbolts” faltered with only $381 million. Both had hefty budgets of $180 million, meaning they needed to perform well to break even. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is even pricier, costing over $200 million. It needs strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth to succeed.
Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie features a dynamic cast: Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch. Early reviews have been optimistic, with Variety’s Peter Debruge claiming that Marvel has “got its mojo back.”
Historically, the Fantastic Four franchise has struggled at the box office. Previous attempts in 2005 and 2007 made decent money but received poor critical reviews. The 2015 reboot bombed with only $167 million globally.
This weekend, “The Fantastic Four” is the only significant new release but will compete against “Superman,” which has already earned $243 million in the U.S. and $415 million worldwide after two weeks.
Box office analysts are hopeful that these superhero films can bring audiences back to theaters as summer winds down. According to a recent survey, 69% of moviegoers say they’re excited to watch superhero films, indicating a strong interest in the genre.
As movie theaters brace for the late summer slump, all eyes will be on how “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” performs. Will it ultimately revitalize the franchise and help Marvel regain its footing? Time will tell.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps