“Fantastic Four” has a “distinct retro-futuristic aesthetic and family-focused themes,” according to Rotten Tomatoes. With a “certified fresh” critics score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, reactions to “Fantastic Four” seem largely positive — even if they sometimes come with qualifications.

This iteration of the Fantastic Four has a standalone adventure without all the burden of the MCU's history and cast of characters.

Yes, The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal — but it also transports the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a whole new phase.

No need to stretch this wait out any longer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was released on July 25, 2025!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe officially has its Fantastic Four. Or should we call it five? The new film, which is in theaters now, is largely centered around the fact that Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) have a child named Franklin.

By making its universe larger than ever, Marvel has dwarfed its cinematic integrity to an ant-sized speck, resulting in the press tour for its big summer blockbuster devolving into a mess far more epic than the film itself.

At the core of First Steps are Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Each slips easily into their role like a customized astronaut suit, but special praise has to go to Kirby and Moss-Bacharach for giving the ensemble its real heart.

The Fantastic Four have traditionally struggled with the transition to the big screen.

When The Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres this week, it will mark the return to prominence of four heroes not just foundational to Marvel and its ever-expanding empire of comics, movies, and television shows, but to modern pop culture and storytelling.

One of the biggest movies to kick off Marvel’s Phase Six is the MCU’s newest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps. Based on the FF trailer, the 2025 movie release not only stands apart due to its stellar casting,