Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps is creating quite a buzz, and for good reason. After a series of disappointing cinematic attempts, Marvel is determined to breathe new life into this iconic franchise, now under the guidance of Kevin Feige. The movie is set to feature a stellar cast, and with that, the production budget is surging—expectations are high for a successful box office run. Fans eagerly anticipate how Fantastic Four could pave the way for a fresh era within the MCU, especially with connections to the X-Men and the reimagined Avengers led by Sam Wilson. Here’s how we project Fantastic Four: First Steps will perform based on past Marvel movie trends.
How Did Previous Fantastic Four Movies Perform at the Box Office?
Before diving into predictions, let’s take a moment to review the Fantastic Four franchise’s history. The first film, Fantastic Four, debuted in 2005 and featured a promising cast and villains. However, it disappointed at the box office, grossing only $333 million against a production budget of $100 million. Undeterred, Marvel followed up with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which fared even worse, bringing in just $302 million and receiving predominantly negative reviews.
The franchise hit rock bottom with the 2015 reboot, which ended up being one of the biggest flops in superhero cinema history, gathering only $167.8 million worldwide from a $120 million budget.
Here’s a look at the box office performance of the previous Fantastic Four movies:
| Fantastic Four Movie | Release Date | Budget | Box Office Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Four | July 8, 2005 | $100 million | $333 million |
| Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer | June 15, 2007 | $130 million | $302 million |
| Fantastic Four | August 6, 2015 | $120 million | $167.8 million |
It’s clear that the Fantastic Four franchise has faced significant challenges at the box office. Now, with the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel is hoping to change the narrative.
What Is the Budget for Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Marvel is rejuvenating the Fantastic Four franchise with ambitious plans, and it’s evident with their considerable investment in this new installment. It is reported that the budget for Fantastic Four: First Steps ranges between $200 to $250 million (around €190 to €240 million), making it one of the most costly films within the MCU. However, such high stakes mean that anything less than stellar box office performance may raise eyebrows.
Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office Prediction
To forecast box office expectations, let’s look back at instances like the release of Deadpool and its subsequent impact on the Marvel brand. Marvel was in a slump when Deadpool and Wolverine broke records, earning a stunning $1.2 billion at the global box office. This not only reestablished Marvel’s credibility but also renewed fan enthusiasm.
However, subsequent releases like Venom 3 and Captain America: Brave New World didn’t resonate as strongly, earning $478 million and $412.8 million, respectively. The anticipation surrounding Fantastic Four: First Steps could drive ticket sales, but if it fails to meet fan expectations, it may significantly impact Marvel’s reputation.
Recently, the advance ticket sales for Fantastic Four: First Steps shattered records on Fandango, suggesting that its final box office numbers might exceed early predictions. Moreover, the connection between the events of this film and Avengers: Doomsday could draw in even those who might not initially be interested, just to keep abreast with the larger Avengers narrative.
With excitement mounting, we estimate that Fantastic Four: First Steps could net between $700 to $800 million (around €660 to €760 million) globally. For the movie to be deemed a success, it needs to cross the $600 to $650 million (approximately €570 to €620 million) mark, which seems quite achievable given the context. What do you think? Share your predictions in the comments below!
In summary, Fantastic Four: First Steps stands at a pivotal moment for Marvel, not just in terms of box office returns but also in shaping the future of its cinematic universe. Explore more about Marvel’s adventures and news at Moyens I/O.