Fantastic Four Tops US Box Office Second Weekend Amid 66% Decline

Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four: First Steps" topped the North American box office for a second consecutive weekend, earning an estimated $40 million, but experienced a sharp 66% drop from its $117.6 million opening. Despite positive critical reception and strong audience scores, the film's significant second-week decline raises concerns about Marvel's current box office momentum, especially amid comparisons to other recent superhero releases like DC's "Superman," which had a smaller drop. Domestically, the movie has accumulated $198.4 million in ten days, potentially becoming the highest-grossing MCU film in the U.S. for 2025, while internationally it added $39.6 million in its second weekend, bringing the global total to approximately $369 million. The film's steep decline may reflect broader superhero fatigue, challenged further by competing new releases such as "The Bad Guys 2" and "The Naked Gun." Overall, while "Fantastic Four: First Steps" remains a financial success, its second-weekend performance suggests Marvel faces difficulties sustaining audience interest post-pandemic for newer entries in the franchise.