Many people believe that the modern era of superhero comics began with Marvel Comics’ debut of the Fantastic Four, the first superhero family. They were first published in Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 and were created by author Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Ben Grimm (The Thing), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), and Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) made up the team. With their amazing abilities, they established themselves as one of Marvel’s most enduring teams, renowned as much for their crime-fighting prowess as for their familial chemistry.
The Fantastic Four have had multiple film adaptations over the years, with differing degrees of success, which is not surprising considering the team’s legendary status in the comic book industry. Let’s examine the actual number of Fantastic Four films, starting with the obscure and never officially released 1994 film and ending with the eagerly awaited 2025 MCU reboot.
The Unreleased “Fantastic Four” Movie from 1994
The 1994 unreleased film, commonly known as just The Fantastic Four, is one of the most intriguing periods in the history of the Fantastic Four movies. This version of the Fantastic Four was made under unusual circumstances and was directed by Roger Corman, a well-known low-budget filmmaker. The movie was never meant to be released to the general public; rather, it was a contractual requirement to protect the characters’ film rights.
The Production and Its Objective
Marvel was experiencing financial difficulties in the early 1990s, so the company sold the rights to several of its well-known characters to preserve their valuable film rights. A German production company called New World Pictures purchased the rights to the Fantastic Four movie. The studio, however, was aware that the movie would not be released in theaters and was working under a strict budget and deadline.
The film was directed by Roger Corman, who is renowned for working on modest budgets. Although his team’s script adhered to the fundamentals of the comic book characters, it was much less expensive than the majority of superhero movies at the time. In the movie, Michael Bailey Smith played Ben Grimm (The Thing), Jay Underwood played Johnny Storm (Human Torch), Rebecca Staab played Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), and Alex Hyde-White played Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic).
The movie stayed true to the comic book source material in spite of its subpar special effects, low production values, and small cast. Joseph Culp played the villain, Doctor Doom, who was modeled after his iconic comic book look. However, the special effects, especially the portrayal of Doctor Doom, were heavily criticized because of the film’s low budget.
Despite being shelved, bootleg copies of the film eventually appeared and developed a cult following. Fans praised the film for its kitsch charm and faithfulness to the original, despite its rushed production and corny effects. The 1994 Fantastic Four movie is still regarded as a nostalgic curiosity today, representing a period when superhero movies were still establishing themselves.
The “Fantastic Four” from 2005 and its sequel from 2007
In 2005, 20th Century Fox purchased the rights to create a more popular Fantastic Four. Ioan Gruffudd played Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Jessica Alba played Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Chris Evans played Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Michael Chiklis played Ben Grimm (The Thing) in this Tim Story-directed movie.
The 2005 Movie: A Contradictory Reaction
Like Spider-Man and other superhero films from the mid-2000s, the 2005 film adopted a more lighthearted, family-friendly tone. The origin of the team, where they acquire their abilities after being exposed to cosmic rays while on a space mission, was the main plot point of the movie. Julian McMahon played the villain, Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom), who was the main enemy of the team.
The movie did reasonably well at the box office, earning over $333 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, despite critics’ mixed reviews. The cast was generally regarded favorably by fans, with Chris Evans’ portrayal of Johnny Storm standing out among his most memorable roles due to his humor and wit. The movie was criticized, nevertheless, for having a weak antagonist and a shallow emotional and narrative depth.
“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” is the 2007 sequel.
Tim Story made a comeback in 2007 as the director of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In addition to the cosmic threat posed by Galactus, who is revealed to be the main antagonist, the movie introduced the iconic Silver Surfer, played by Doug Jones (voiced by Laurence Fishburne).
Even though the special effects in the movie received a lot of praise, fans were disappointed by how Galactus was portrayed. The film depicted Galactus as a giant cloud-like entity rather than the iconic character as a giant that devours planets. The film nevertheless made over $291 million, demonstrating the team’s ongoing appeal.
Fans’ complaints about the series were not all addressed in the sequel, though, and it became apparent that the Fantastic Four needed a new direction for the future.
The 2015 Reboot: “Fant4stic”
A darker, more realistic reboot of the Fantastic Four series was chosen by 20th Century Fox in 2015. Miles Teller played Reed Richards, Kate Mara played Sue Storm, Michael B. Jordan played Johnny Storm, and Jamie Bell played Ben Grimm in the Josh Trank-directed film Fant4stic.
The Reception of the 2015 Reboot
Similar to the popularity of The Dark Knight and the gritty superhero fare of the era, this iteration of the Fantastic Four was promoted as a more dramatic and realistic portrayal of the characters. The storyline traced the team’s beginnings but added a contemporary twist by concentrating on an unsuccessful interdimensional travel experiment.
Fant4stic, however, was a huge failure in terms of both box office performance and critical acclaim. The film suffered from problems like slow pacing, character development, and unimpressive special effects, even though it had a strong cast and a talented director. Despite having a $120 million budget, it only made $168 million, making it one of the worst superhero movies of the decade.
The Fantastic Four franchise needed a more comprehensive rethinking in light of this failure, and soon after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the characters’ rights were returned to Marvel Studios.
The “Fantastic Four” MCU Reboot in 2025.
The Fantastic Four franchise will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following years of speculation. Matt Shakman is directing the new movie, which will be released on July 25, 2025. The Fantastic Four will be included in the MCU for the first time with this movie, and they will play a significant role in the overall Marvel story.
The Characters and Cast
Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby will play Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will play Ben Grimm (The Thing) in the new movie. Fans are very excited about the actors’ selection, with Pedro Pascal being a favorite because of his versatility and previous roles in popular shows like The Mandalorian.
Galactus will be the team’s first significant threat in this movie, which will present them as well-known heroes in the MCU. Now that the team is firmly established in the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe, their interactions with other Marvel heroes and their conflict with the cosmic Galactus will undoubtedly be crucial in determining how the MCU develops in the future.
The Fantastic Four’s Future in the MCU
Plot specifics are still limited, but it is anticipated that the movie will delve into the rich history of the Fantastic Four, emphasizing their interactions with cosmic beings, their relationships with other Marvel characters, and their dynamic as a family. With deeper emotional stakes and a sense of wonder and adventure, the new film is probably going to stay true to the comics.
In conclusion
The Fantastic Four have appeared in five noteworthy motion pictures overall:
- Unreleased but now considered a cult classic is The Fantastic Four (1994).
- The first popular adaptation, Fantastic Four (2005), had a more lighthearted and kid-friendly tone.
- In the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the Silver Surfer and cosmic elements were introduced in the sequel.
- The darker reboot of Fantastic Four (2015) was a commercial and critical failure.
- Fantastic Four (2025): Matt Shakman’s MCU reboot will introduce the team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Fantastic Four have a tumultuous cinematic history, spanning from the 1994 movie that fans are still clamoring to see to the new 2025 MCU film. The Fantastic Four are positioned to play a significant role in Marvel’s filmography going forward, now that the MCU has finally taken over. In the hopes that it will finally do Marvel’s first family justice on the big screen, fans are looking forward to the 2025 film.
