The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up for a cosmic showdown with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, introducing the mighty Galactus and a surprising twist—a female Silver Surfer, revealed as Shalla-Bal,

The Fantastic Four: First Steps has kicked off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with an impressive $118 million domestic box office haul from its opening weekend. That’s the fourth biggest domestic opening of 2025, behind A Minecraft Movie ($162 million), Lilo & Stitch ($146 million), and Superman ($125 million).

This iteration of the Fantastic Four has a standalone adventure without all the burden of the MCU's history and cast of characters.

During an early montage that fills in the backstory of the four years the Fantastic Four have been protecting the world, we see the team appear on various magazine covers heralding their exploits. One such cover is for a publication named Now Politics, with Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) pictured as a respected diplomat in the world of Earth-828.

It's a shame these two MCU stars didn't return in Thunderbolts*, as they would have been great additions to the New Avengers' line-up.

It's exactly why we should be welcoming the fact that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the last MCU movie for an entire year.

First Steps earns $218 million globally over the first weekend, surpassing the worldwide box office opening of $211 million of Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine last year.

Ironheart just set up the perfect story for Doctor Strange's future in the MCU, and teases the supernatural Avengers' formation.

Franklin Richards is an important character for the future of the MCU – and if it’s faithful to the comics, he’ll be incredibly powerful.

First Steps manages to break a decades-long curse for the titular team with its depiction of one historically unlucky member.