To thunderous applause and a glittering guest list, Fantastic Four: First Steps made its world premiere on Monday night at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The long-awaited 37th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) marks a pivotal reboot for one of Marvel’s most beloved properties — and if the early buzz is any indication, the studio may have struck gold once again.
While full reviews remain under embargo until Tuesday, the social media chatter following the premiere has been nothing short of ecstatic, with many attendees already calling it the finest screen version of Marvel’s First Family.
A Stellar Cast and a Fresh Setting
Directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, First Steps features a powerhouse cast. Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Reed Richards (aka Mister Fantastic), joined by Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing), and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch). Together, they bring a grounded humanity to characters who have often struggled to find the right tone in previous cinematic adaptations.
What sets First Steps apart is not just the performances, but also its world-building. Set on an alternate Earth, the film immediately distinguishes itself from the mainline MCU timeline. This creative choice allows for bold storytelling without being overly constrained by continuity — a move praised by many early viewers.
The film’s central conflict revolves around Galactus, the planet-devouring cosmic entity played with chilling gravitas by Ralph Ineson. His arrival is heralded by the Silver Surfer, reimagined as a woman and portrayed by Emmy-winner Julia Garner in a performance already being called “electrifying” on social media.
Social Media Reactions: “The Best Fantastic Four Movie Ever”
Though critics’ full reviews are still under wraps, social media is flooded with praise from fans, influencers, and industry insiders who attended the premiere. Descriptions such as “visually spectacular,” “emotionally resonant,” and “a return to Marvel magic” are common among early tweets and Instagram posts.
One prominent film journalist tweeted, “Fantastic Four: First Steps is Marvel’s boldest swing in years. A space epic with heart, humor, and incredible performances. Pascal and Kirby shine, but Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer is next-level.”
Another attendee posted, “THIS is how you do the Fantastic Four. Emotional stakes, brilliant VFX, and a Galactus that will haunt your dreams.”
Several fans also pointed out the film’s tonal balance — managing to weave moments of levity and character-driven warmth into a story about planetary annihilation. The decision to introduce the team not through another origin story, but already mid-crisis, seems to have paid off in narrative momentum and emotional payoff.
What This Means for the MCU’s Future
Fantastic Four: First Steps is being closely watched not just as a film but as a litmus test for the future of the MCU. With the franchise at a crossroads — amid reported scaling back and the departure of major multiverse players like Kang — First Steps arrives as both a new beginning and a reset button.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently hinted that future MCU projects may become more self-contained and character-focused. If that strategy starts with First Steps, the early reactions suggest it’s a winning formula. This new iteration of the Fantastic Four, blending cosmic grandeur with grounded storytelling, may offer the exact spark the franchise needs.
Release Details and What’s Next
Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters worldwide on July 25, with box office expectations already high due to strong fan anticipation and favorable early word-of-mouth.
Full critic reviews are expected to drop on Tuesday, which will offer a clearer picture of how the film stacks up with the broader press. For now, though, Marvel fans have reason to be optimistic — perhaps for the first time in a while.
If the early hype holds, First Steps could be the cinematic redemption the Fantastic Four have long deserved — and a promising new chapter in the Marvel saga.
