The Fantastic Four: First Steps launches Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the franchise’s first genuinely great movie after years of disappointing adaptations.

There are many problems that come with media conglomerates merging, and The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets was no exception. Many people lost their jobs in the process. Disney rebranded 20th Century Fox as 20th Century Studios, and while that brought concern for some, Marvel fans saw hope—especially for X-Men and long-neglected Fantastic Four. Personally, I wish Marvel could have reacquired those characters without the merger. Last year brought Deadpool and the X-Men back to the MCU. This year, it’s the Fantastic Four’s turn.

Again, I feel for those whose jobs were made redundant by the merger. Add a sluggish post-pandemic recovery, two major labor strikes, and wider industry uncertainty, and it’s been a rough stretch. For Marvel fans, though, this means Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios finally have full creative control over the Fantastic Four—and for the first time, the franchise delivers a movie that doesn’t suck. I had a soft spot for the 2005 version, but the 2007 sequel faltered, and Fox’s 2015 reboot was dead on arrival. Then there’s the unreleased 1994 film, now a bootleg cult item.

There is a mid and post-credit scene. The latter of which was directed by the Russo brothers.

Set in a retro-futuristic world inspired by the 1960s, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—as they grapple with their toughest battle yet. While trying to balance superhero duties with their deep familial bond, they must protect Earth from the cosmic threat of Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his mysterious Herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). But when Galactus’ world-ending mission hits closer to home, the fight becomes deeply personal.

Reed is joined by H.E.R.B.I.E. (voiced by Matthew Wood), a robotic companion making its live-action debut. Wood also serves as one of the film’s supervising sound editors. That means Wood and Pascal are now part of the small club of actors to appear in both Star Wars and Marvel projects. Moss-Bachrach was previously cast in both The Punisher and Andor.

The creative control also extends to the casting. I’m not sure when I first learned that the character was Jewish, but I’m so glad the studio finally cast a Jewish actor in the role. David Krumholtz had lobbied to play Ben a few years ago, but Marvel ultimately went with The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach. If the character accents didn’t make it clear enough—especially with Rachel Rozman (Natasha Lyonne)—the film seals the deal when Ben walks into a shul on Yancy Street. Moss-Bachrach brings real humanity to the role, performing The Thing via motion capture instead of prosthetics. That’s one of the many ways technology helps this film finally do justice to the Fantastic Four.

The Yancy Street set (based on Delancey Street in real life) allows The Fantastic Four: First Steps to pay tribute to New York City’s Jewish roots, especially in the Lower East Side where Jack Kirby grew up. In addition to the shul, one can also spot kosher grocery stores. The neighborhood had a substantial Jewish population in the 1920s and during the Great Depression, though that began to decline after World War II. In our universe, the Lower East Side wasn’t the same once the 1950s gave way to the ’60s—but the film captures a stylized version that feels both reverent and reimagined.

Galactus was one of my biggest concerns heading into The Fantastic Four: First Steps—especially after Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer reduced him to a shapeless cloud. Thankfully, this creative team approaches the character with the scale and menace he deserves. Ralph Ineson’s voice work adds gravitas, and Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer gives the Herald a haunted, mythic presence.

While Harvey Elder/Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser) isn’t the film’s main villain, his presence lets the story acknowledge the team’s first-ever comic book foe. My only complaint is that we don’t get enough of him. It’s unclear what Marvel has planned for the character, if anything, but his inclusion here is a satisfying nod for longtime fans.

Matt Shakman does a spectacular job directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps behind the camera. I had some initial hesitation when Jon Watts stepped away from the project, but those fears disappeared when Marvel turned to the WandaVision director. With what he’s achieved here, I wouldn’t mind seeing Shakman take the reins again after the next two Avengers movies. His emphasis on practical effects wherever possible grounds the film without losing its cosmic wonder.

In a smart creative choice—much like Spider-Man: Homecoming and the recent Superman reboot—we meet the Fantastic Four team four years into their superhero journey. After so many reboots, audiences know the origin story. The film gives new viewers just enough to follow along without making MCU homework a requirement. That alone is refreshing in a post-Endgame era often burdened by Marvel fatigue.

Michael Giacchino’s score is another major highlight. His The Fantastic Four: First Steps theme, first teased in a Thunderbolts* post-credits scene, plays in full glory here. It’s Giacchino’s sixth feature score for Marvel, and with the film’s 1960s vibe, he leans into retro-futuristic flourishes while keeping it emotionally grounded. It’s a theme that feels instantly iconic and perfectly suited for Marvel’s First Family.

The film is also packed with thoughtful easter eggs. The Excelsior rocket nods to Stan Lee’s iconic catchphrase. Earth 828 honors Jack Kirby’s birthday (August 28, 1917). Without Lee and Kirby, there’s no Fantastic Four—and frankly, no Marvel Universe as we know it. This is the 37th MCU feature film, with numerous Disney+ series, earlier films, and animated projects in its orbit. It all started with four heroes in a rocket ship—and The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally gives them the movie they deserve.

The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.

DIRECTOR: Matt Shakman
SCREENWRITERS: Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer
CAST: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, with Paul Walter Hauser and Ralph Ineson

Marvel Studios will release The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters on July 25, 2025. Grade: 4.5/5

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