No, silly, superhero movies aren’t dead. The second comic-book movie in the last two weeks, Disney/ Marvel Studios ‘ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is conquering around $23M in previews tonight that began at 2PM. Domestic outlook was $100M-$110M, but the Matt Shakman directed movie is bound to shoot higher.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four are taking big first steps at the box office, earning a mighty $24.4 million in previews. The haul is the best preview result of the year so far, beating the previous high of $22.

First Steps” will keep the summer box office running hot this weekend after earning $24.4 million from Thursday preview screenings. That result tops the $22.5 million preview total that Warner Bros./DC Studios’ “Superman” earned two weeks ago and becomes the best preview total both in 2025 so far and since the $38.

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

The new “Fantastic Four” blends a retro sensibility with a type of optimism that is reflective of a reboot in the comic book movie industry itself.

You don't have to do any homework before seeing The Fantastic Four: First Steps, according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. The bad: It's the last Marvel flick we're getting until 2026. More good: It has a super Rotten Tomatoes score.

Joseph Quinn says the 'Fantastic Four' cast has received "sage advice" from MCU veterans, and calls Robert Downey Jr. "a remarkable actor" ahead of working with him in 'Avengers: Doomsday.'

Even more important is the question of why The Fantastic Four: First Steps showed us that vacant chair. Was it merely to tease Doom’s appearance at the end of the movie? To remind us he’s coming in Avengers: Doomsday?