In a clash of superhero titans, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has stormed into theaters with an impressive $218 million global box office debut, officially outpacing Superman’s opening weekend by 11%, according to Deadline. The surprise performance is already reshaping the narrative of the 2025 summer box office and reigniting the long-standing rivalry between Marvel Studios and DC Studios.

Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated introduction of the iconic superhero team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Early buzz was strong, and now the numbers confirm it: Fantastic Four has delivered the biggest Marvel opening of the year so far, outperforming even internal studio projections.

James Gunn’s reboot of Superman, released just two weeks prior, was also met with enthusiasm from fans and critics alike. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, the film has earned more than $500 million globally to date — a solid post-pandemic showing for DC Studios and a much-needed win for the brand.

But Fantastic Four edged it out where it matters most: the launch. Despite Superman benefitting from early Amazon Prime-exclusive screenings that extended its earning window, Fantastic Four has managed to outgross it in pure weekend performance, with its $218 million debut happening over the standard Friday–Sunday window.

Critically, Marvel’s latest entry also has a slight edge. The Fantastic Four holds an 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, topping Superman’s 83% — a sign that audiences and critics may be more aligned with the cosmic adventures of Reed Richards and his team.

It’s been nearly a decade since Marvel and DC Studios directly competed in the same box office window. In 2016, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice debuted in March, followed closely by Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War in May. While Batman v Superman posted a respectable $873.6 million worldwide, Civil War ultimately took the crown with $1.153 billion.

Now, in 2025, that rivalry is back in full force. While DC’s Superman is poised to keep building momentum through August, Fantastic Four’s red-hot start is positioning Marvel for a strong second half of the year. Industry analysts suggest that the film’s performance is not just a one-off success but a sign of renewed strength for Marvel Studios — especially following a string of lukewarm box office showings in 2023 and 2024.

More than just a standalone hit, Fantastic Four: First Steps is designed to lay critical groundwork for Marvel’s 2026 mega-event, Avengers: Doomsday. Insiders at Marvel have hinted that post-credit scenes from First Steps directly tease the cosmic-level threat to come, possibly tying in Doctor Doom and Galactus — two of Marvel’s most iconic villains.

If fan excitement continues, Fantastic Four could easily join the billion-dollar club, something only a handful of post-COVID releases have achieved. For Marvel, which has faced recent criticism and questions about superhero fatigue, this strong debut may prove the franchise still has plenty of firepower left in its storytelling arsenal.

While Superman continues to perform well globally, and Fantastic Four is just getting started, the box office showdown is far from over. With both franchises planning expansive future slates — including DC’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Marvel’s X-Men: Genesis — fans can expect more face-offs in the years to come.

But for now, the torch has been passed. The Fantastic Four isn’t just living up to expectations — it’s exceeding them.

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The NewYorkBudgets is an independently operated digital news outlet focused on business, finance, and wealth rejuvenation. This platform is currently run as a sole proprietorship and is not yet registered as a formal company. All content is authored and published by independent journalists, with a commitment to honest reporting and reader-first journalism. Revenue may be generated through advertising and reader-supported contributions. A formal business registration will follow as the platform grows.

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