The Fantastic Four is making their big screen return and Marvel’s First Family is facing off with Superman: Legacy and the birth of the DCU.

July 2025 is set to be one of the biggest years for the cinematic Box Office. Jurassic World 4, Superman Legacy, and The Fantastic Four will all be released in July 2025. Moviegoers are already feeling overwhelmed by the spectacular choices available, but much of the excitement appears to surround Marvel Studios’ first Fantastic Four movie. The Box Office battle between Superman Legacy and The Fantastic Four will be tight, however, comic readers are suggesting The Fantastic Four may emerge triumphant.

Although both movies appear promising, The Fantastic Four has many things going for it, which should result in a big turnout at theaters. Its possible period setting, alongside its superb pick of director in WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, suggests that it could be one of Marvel Studios’ most entertaining projects. The Fantastic Four is likely to become the most successful Fantastic Four film to date.

12. The 60s Setting Will Deliver A Unique Perspective

The Fantastic Four looks to be set in the 60s.
Previous MCU films such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain Marvel have also had period settings.
The 60s are important to Fantastic Four’s comics history.

Previous Fantastic Four movies have stuck religiously to a contemporary setting. The Fantastic Four’s recent promo picture suggests the film will be taking a different direction. Ben Grimm is shown reading a Life magazine from December 1963, suggesting a 60s setting for Marvel Studios’ upcoming release.

The 60s setting will deliver a unique perspective, throwing the heroes into a period rarely seen in superhero media. Although past Marvel Studios’ projects like Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain Marvel have been set in the past, in 1942 and 1995 respectively, The Fantastic Four will be the first to explore the 60s. It is also a period that’s important to Fantastic Four’s history, with the first comic having debuted in 1961.

11. Reed And Sue Are A Power Couple

Reed and Sue are an incredibly supportive couple.
The pair have overcome various obstacles regarding their relationship, including Namor and the Council of Reeds.
Reed and Sue’s undying commitment to their family is commendable.

Even though sometimes their relationship may seem weird, Reed and Sue are easily one of Marvel Comics’ best romances. They are a power couple, appearing incredibly supportive of one another throughout the Fantastic Four comics. Reed and Sue’s MCU debut has left fans ecstatic to see this partnership finally be portrayed in the MCU

While Superman and Lois Lane are great, Reed and Sue’s undying commitment to themselves and their family is wonderful to witness. Although the pair have faced various obstacles in their marriage, such as Reed’s offer to join the Council Of Reeds, and Sue being tempted by Namor’s advances, they have stayed faithful to one another throughout the Fantastic Four comics. Their love could be one of The Fantastic Four’s greatest highlights.

10. The Fantastic Four’s Domestic Comedy In The Comics Is Hilarious

The Fantastic Four are Marvel’s First Family.
They hold a deep affection for one another.
The Fantastic Four’s constant bickering in the comics is hilarious.

The Fantastic Four are fondly described as “Marvel’s first family” by comics readers. Their close-knit relationship as a family makes their adventures a real joy to read. Among the best aspects of their comic books is the domestic comedy that comes from the group living together, reflecting the potential The Fantastic Four holds for offering a great time at the movies.

The Fantastic Four may hold a deep affection for one another, but they don’t always get along. Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm’s constant bickering, particularly, is frequently hilarious in the comics. If The Fantastic Four stays truthful to the comics, then it could deliver one of the most entertaining double-acts in the MCU. This can far exceed the comic duo of Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen or Jimmy and Lois Lane.

9. It’s The First Jewish Ben Grimm

The Fantastic Four will be the first The Thing to be Jewish on the big screen.
He also shares his comic counterpart’s blue eyes.
Previous Fantastic Four movies have ignored Ben’s religious beliefs.

The Thing Is regarded as one of the most powerful Marvel heroes, however, it’s not only his heroic abilities that make him interesting. A major aspect of his character is his religious beliefs. The Fantastic Four has cast Jewish actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, suggesting that The Thing’s core values will play a big role in the movie.

The MCU’s Thing will be the first to be Jewish, due to previous Fantastic Four iterations having not held strong religious affiliations. Alongside his Jewish ideals, Ebon Moss-Bachrach also shares the same blue-colored eyes as his comic counterpart, meaning that fans will receive the most faithful adaptation of the comic-book hero so far.

8. WandaVision Shows Matt Shakman Is Great At Writing Superhero Families

WandaVision features a particularly strong MCU family.
The Maximoffs are consistently amusing to watch.
Wanda’s unconditional love for her family is endearing.

James Gunn and Matt Shakman have both produced some of the most beloved superhero projects, such as Guardians Of The Galaxy and WandaVision respectively. However, while Matt Shakman’s past work demonstrates why he is the right fit for The Fantastic Four, James Gunn doesn’t seem the most obvious pick for a Superman movie, as most of his screenplays are ensemble pieces.

While Wanda, Vision, and their children provide plenty of laughs throughout WandaVision, the show also has plenty of heart. Wanda’s unconditional love for her family helps to endear the audience to her despite her controversial behavior. The Fantastic Four requires the same mix of character-driven drama and domestic humor, which Matt Shakman writes especially well.

7. Recent DC Films Have Disappointed At The Box Office

DC’s recent releases have demonstrated disappointing Box Office results.
The Flash and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom failed to turn a profit.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are recent box-office success stories for Marvel Studios.

6. Although superhero cinema has been struggling lately, Marvel Studios still consistently delivers the biggest Box Office takings in the comic-book genre. Despite DC having produced some of the highest-grossing films in the past, their latest efforts have failed to interest most moviegoers.

On one hand, DC’s recent Box Office performance could be attributed to the studio’s decision to reboot the series under James Gunn’s creative vision. However, most general audiences are unlikely to be aware of these behind-the-scenes changes. One of DC’s biggest films, The Flash, finished its run with a disappointing $271.3 million worldwide gross, while Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom left theaters with a measly $433,536,509 global total. Meanwhile, the MCU’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever made $848.6 million and $859.2 million respectively, suggesting there’s plenty of life left in the Marvel universe yet.

5. There’s Some Potential For Some Delightfully Surreal Visuals

Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four comics have some brilliantly weird stories.
The Fantastic Four have visited some of Marvel’s weirdest locations in the comics, including the Negative Zone and the Microverse.
Jack Kirby’s comic books could lead to some delightfully surreal visuals in The Fantastic Four.

Marvel’s comic books feature some of the most wildly creative storytelling in the superhero genre. Comics including Doctor Strange and Ant-Man have showcased a few outlandish concepts, which have often resulted in Marvel’s releases standing out over DC Comics. The Fantastic Four comic books have developed a particular reputation for going to some of Marvel’s weirdest places.

Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four comics explored many abstract ideas, which could lead to some delightfully surreal visuals for Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four. Worlds and dimensions such as the Negative Zone and the Microverse are unlike anything seen in current comic-book movies, and would therefore allow The Fantastic Four to stand out against its rivals next Summer.

4. It’s The First Live-Action Depiction Of HERBIE

HERBIE replaced Johnny Storm in the ’70s Fantastic Four cartoon.
His MCU debut will be his first big-screen appearance.
HERBIE can be briefly glimpsed in the 2005 Fantastic Four’s extended cut.

Even though the Fantastic Four are mostly known as Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny, there have been several other members. Chief among them is HERBIE. Originally created for the late-70s Fantastic Four cartoon, HERBIE has become a fan favorite, and fans are excited for his MCU debut.

HERBIE’s upcoming Fantastic Four appearance will be his first live-action depiction, barring his brief cameo in the 2005 Fantastic Four’s extended cut. His inclusion will serve as a fun nod to how legal issues forced the Fantastic Four’s origins to be changed for the 70s cartoon to incorporate HERBIE. HERBIE’s goofy personality is likely to please audiences of all ages and makes him a perfect fit for the MCU’s irreverent brand of comedy.

3. It’s The First Marvel Studios-Produced Fantastic Four Movie

Previous Fantastic Four movies were poorly received.
The Fantastic Four is the first to be produced by Marvel Studios.
It is the first time that the Fantastic Four will be able to interact with other Marvel heroes on the big screen.

Both Superman and Fantastic Four have had a few big screen iterations, but the former has proved significantly more successful on the theatrical circuit. The Fantastic Four’s fortunes are most probably going to change with The Fantastic Four, due to the cinematic rights finally returning to Marvel Studios.

Fox’s Fantastic Four films were poorly received by audiences and critics, and Marvel Studios’ strong track record left viewers wishing for the company to take over. Their introduction to the MCU will grant Marvel’s first family the chance to interact with a plethora of Marvel characters, like Spider-Man and She-Hulk, which no previous Fantastic Four film was able to do.

2. The Fantastic Four Have A Great Rogues Gallery

The Fantastic Four’s rogues gallery is incredible.
They have fought Doctor Doom and Galactus in the comics.
Some of their greatest foes are also likely to be challenging adversaries for the Avengers.

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While Superman’s rogues gallery is undeniably incredible, the Fantastic Four have the most intimidating villains in comics history. The Marvel Comics have included some of the most devious antagonists for Marvel’s First Family to face, including an evil version of Reed Richards called The Thinker.

Among the Fantastic Four’s most notable foes are Diablo and the Puppet Master. The Fantastic Four comics were also the first to introduce Doctor Doom and Galactus, who became prominent threats throughout Earth 616. The Fantastic Four’s strong connection to Doom, particularly, is likely to make the family especially important to the MCU’s future, as Doom will probably create several problems for the Avengers following The Fantastic Four.