The Fantastic Four Sets $24.4M Preview Box Office Record Surpassing Superman

Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" has outperformed DC's "Superman" in Thursday preview box office earnings, garnering around $23 million compared to Superman's $22.5 million. This strong start positions the film to potentially earn between $110 million to $120 million domestically during its opening weekend, surpassing early projections and marking a significant rebound for Marvel Studios in 2025 after a challenging year. The film has received widespread critical acclaim with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and high audience ratings nearing 92%-93%, with fans praising it as a return to Marvel's classic storytelling style. Social media engagement for "Fantastic Four" is record-breaking, surpassing other major films this year in views across platforms like TikTok and YouTube, fueled by a highly active cast following. Notably, this MCU installment’s success contrasts with previous Marvel movies this year, such as "Thunderbolts" and "Captain America: Brave New World," which underperformed. Meanwhile, despite the strong box office performance and critical praise for "Superman," there are concerns about its overseas performance potentially being eclipsed by "The Fantastic Four."