That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023’s “The Marvels,” this spring’s fourth “Captain America” movie and “Thunderbolts*” all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new “Fantastic Four” may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises.

First Steps” is the third Marvel movie to hit theaters this year, but it packs way more hidden references and nods than “Captain America: Brave New World” or “Thunderbolts.” It’s not on the same level of Easter eggs as last year’s “Deadpool and Wolverine,

In 1978, the animation company DePatie–Freleng (best known for The Pink Panther) teamed with Marvel to make The New Fantastic Four. The stories leaned a little more into sci-fi and tech, especially with the inclusion of H.E.R.B.I.E., the group's little robotic friend not too dissimilar from Star Wars' R2-D2.

First Steps brings back the good ol' days for Marvel Studios. The film just crossed the $50 million mark on its domestic opening day collection on Friday, July 25.

There’s a lot of promise in this version of The Fantastic Four; a worthwhile cinematic endeavor unlike its predecessors.

“ The Fantastic Four: First Steps ” stretched its arms around $57 million from 4,125 theaters across Friday and preview screenings. Per Disney ‘s numbers, that’s the second-biggest opening day of the calendar year, ranking just behind “A Minecraft Movie” ($57.11 million). The film gets Imax and other premium large format auditoriums.

This week on “See It or Skip It,” Tomatometer Approved film critic Patrick Beatty is joined by UFCA critics Rebecca Frost, Kent Dunn, and special guest Cedric Haynes, as they dive into a fantastic mix of movies on the big and small screen.

If there's one thing to take away from the press tour of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (no, we know what you're thinking and it's not that), it's that Vanessa Kirby has done her homework when it comes to Sue Storm and already has hopes for The Invisible Woman's future.