Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps opened atop the U.K. and Ireland chart with an estimated £6.1 million across 665 cinemas, out‑grossing every previous Fantastic Four launch by roughly £2 million and securing the region’s strongest superhero debut since Superman earlier this month. Data from industry tracker Comscore show the film claimed 54 percent of weekend market share, while holdovers Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth trailed at £1.3 million and £1 million respectively.
The robust start follows a $118 million domestic bow in North America and $218 million worldwide, giving Disney its first nine‑figure opening of 2025. Analysts note that First Steps’ global launch ran within two million dollars of Superman’s rollout, easing worries about “super‑hero fatigue” after softer results for Thunderbolts earlier this year.
According to Screen International, preview takings of £2.05 million on Thursday boosted momentum in the U.K., where premium formats delivered 38 percent of ticket revenue. Audience polls skewed 71 percent under 35 and awarded the picture an A‑minus grade, mirroring the 87‑percent approval rating logged on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Matt Shakman and set in a stylised 1960s MCU, the reboot stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss‑Bachrach and Joseph Quinn as Marvel’s “First Family” facing Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Positive word‑of‑mouth is expected to help sustain weekday traffic ahead of Disney’s IMAX‑driven expansion, with several multiplexes reporting sell‑outs for large‑format evening shows through Thursday.
Exhibitors project the film could finish its U.K.–Ireland run north of £25 million if it follows typical MCU multipliers, a figure that would eclipse the combined lifetime total of Fox’s three earlier Fantastic Four titles released between 2005 and 2015. Globally, Disney says scripting on a sequel has already begun, banking on sustained interest as the picture ushers in Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
