The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019 has allowed Marvel Studios to integrate the Fantastic Four into their Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside the X-Men and Deadpool. In 2020, Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios, confirmed that a Fantastic Four movie is in the works. The film, which will be a reboot, will be released in the United States on May 2, 2025, as part of Phase Six of the MCU.
The expectations are quite high as all the previous entries in the Fantastic Four franchise have been massive failures. The films have proved to be a financial success for the studios but their bland approach has been criticized by critics as well as the fans. Here is a list ranking all the Fantastic Four movies that have hit the big screen so far:
3) Fantastic Four (2015)
In 2009, 20th Century Fox decided to reboot the Fantastic Four franchise, and by 2012, Josh Trank was hired to direct the film. After several reshoots, Fantastic Four (2015) finally premiered at Williamsburg Cinemas in New York City on August 4, 2015, and was released on August 7 in the United States.
The film was obliterated by the critics, mainly pointing out its undermining plot, bland acting, and poorly written story. The film is often labeled as one of the worst superhero movies of all time. A sequel was planned for release in 2017 but was canceled after the film’s failure. On a budget of $120–155 million, the film grossed roughly $167 million.
2) Fantastic Four (2005)
In the 1990s, Chris Columbus was hired to write and direct Fantastic Four. Later, he decided to step down as director and Peter Segal took his place. By the end of 1997, Fox replaced Segal with Sam Weisman and hired Sam Hamm to rewrite the script in April 1998 due to the film’s excess budget.
After many revisions and the removal of directors, Tim Story was hired to direct in April 2004, and in July 2005, the film was finally released. Upon release, the film became a massive financial success for 20th Century Fox, however, the film received negative reviews. The bland storytelling with childish humor made the film a nightmare to watch. Despite the bad reviews, the film was a financial success, grossing $333 million at the global box office.
1) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
A sequel to the 2005 film Fantastic Four titled Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was released in 2007 with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis reprising their roles. The production of the film began in 2005 with screenwriter Mark Frost.
The film received mixed reviews, but it was still better than the previous installment. It was a moderate success at the box office, grossing $301 million worldwide, which was less than the first film. A third film was planned but it was later canceled.
Honorable mention: The Fantastic Four (1994)
2005’s Fantastic Four wasn’t the first attempt to make a live-action adaptation of the iconic comic characters. In the 1980s, Bernd Eichinger met with Stan Lee to obtain an option for a movie based on the Fantastic Four. In 1986, Eichinger’s production company Constantin Film obtained it but due to budget concerns the film had to be delayed.
With the obtain expiring on December 31, 1992, Constantin Film asked Marvel for an extension but nothing could be done so Eichinger planned to retain his option by producing a low-budget Fantastic Four film with B-movie specialist Roger Corman, who agreed to produce the film on a $1 million budget. The film was not released officially, but pirated copies were later leaked.
Related: Fox’s Shelved Fantastic Four Movie From 1994 Was Never Meant To Be Seen By Fans
