Fantastic Four’s Disney+ Launch Fails to Match Box Office Hype
Marvel’s flagship 2025 film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, soared in cinemas but has faced a lukewarm reception on Disney+, raising questions about the franchise’s streaming appeal.
Marvel’s much-discussed 2025 release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, made a considerable impact at the box office earlier this year. The film, which premiered in cinemas on 25 July, quickly became the studio’s most prominent title of the year. Yet, its arrival on Disney+ on 5 November has not delivered the streaming success many anticipated, especially when compared to the performance of Thunderbolts*.
Streaming Numbers Fall Short of Expectations
Despite the anticipation surrounding its digital debut, the film’s initial streaming figures have been rather underwhelming. Marvel Studios had high hopes for the project, given the team’s central role in upcoming ensemble features such as Avengers: Doomsday and the much-rumoured Secret Wars. The expectation was that the film’s popularity in cinemas would translate into a strong showing on Disney+, but the reality has proven more complicated.
While The Fantastic Four: First Steps was positioned as a cornerstone for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its streaming launch has not matched the momentum seen in theatres. The numbers suggest that, for all the excitement generated by its theatrical run, the film has struggled to capture the same level of enthusiasm among home viewers.
Implications for Marvel’s Streaming Strategy
The tepid response on Disney+ has prompted some to question the broader strategy for Marvel’s streaming releases. With significant investment in the Fantastic Four brand and its future within the MCU, the studio faces a challenging task in maintaining audience interest across platforms. The contrast with Thunderbolts*, which enjoyed a more robust streaming debut, only highlights the issue further.
As Marvel looks ahead to its next slate of interconnected stories, the performance of The Fantastic Four: First Steps on Disney+ may serve as a cautionary tale. The franchise’s future on streaming platforms appears less certain, despite its established popularity in cinemas. The coming months will likely be crucial as the studio assesses how best to engage its audience both on the big screen and at home.