Top Fantastic Four Movies Ranked

A Journey Through the Fantastic Four Movies

The Fantastic Four have had a long and complicated journey in the world of cinema. As one of the most iconic superhero teams in comic book history, their cinematic outings have been inconsistent, with some films falling flat and others managing to capture the essence of the characters. However, with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps in 2025, the franchise has finally found its footing.

Fant4stic (2015)

Directed by Josh Trank, Fant4stic was an attempt at a grounded, realistic reboot of Marvel’s First Family. Unfortunately, it failed spectacularly. The film tried to modernize the origin story with a serious sci-fi tone but ended up being lifeless and joyless. It abandoned the bright optimism and adventurous spirit of the comics in favor of body horror and grim character dynamics.

Despite a talented cast, including Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell, the chemistry between the characters was undermined by a muddled script and extensive reshoots that altered the tone and plot. Victor Von Doom, one of Marvel's most iconic villains, was reduced to a bland and forgettable presence with inexplicable powers and motivations.

The pacing was another issue, with too much time spent on setup and origin, only to rush through the climax in a few forgettable minutes. Even the action scenes lacked spectacle or weight. While the film had the ambition to be different from earlier, campier attempts, it went too far in the other direction. Fant4stic drained all the fun and humanity out of the franchise, serving as a cautionary tale of what happens when a comic book adaptation forgets the tone and heart that made the source beloved.

Fantastic Four (1994)

Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four (1994) was never meant to be seen by audiences. It was made quickly and cheaply, primarily to retain the film rights. The budget was infamously low, the effects often laughable, and the costumes straight out of a Halloween aisle. Yet, despite all that, there’s a charm to this unreleased oddity that makes it surprisingly entertaining for diehard fans.

It embraces the classic comic book energy of the 1960s era: bright colors, exaggerated performances, and unabashedly silly storytelling. The film is a loving homage to its source material, if not a good film by traditional standards. Alex Hyde-White and Rebecca Staab deliver earnest performances, and Joseph Culp’s take on Doctor Doom is deliciously over-the-top. The low budget leads to unintentional hilarity, adding to the B-movie fun. It’s not a film to watch for quality; it’s one to watch to marvel at how it even exists.

Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer improved upon some aspects of its 2005 predecessor, particularly in its tone and visual effects. However, it also made some baffling creative decisions, most notably in how it portrayed Galactus. Instead of depicting the world-eating cosmic giant fans know from the comics, the film reduced Galactus to a featureless space cloud, robbing the story of its grand scale and mythic power.

That said, the inclusion of the Silver Surfer was a major highlight. Doug Jones brought a quiet dignity and mysterious presence to the character, with his scenes remaining some of the most visually striking moments in the entire franchise. The chemistry between the main cast continued to grow stronger, and the film leaned more into family dynamics and teamwork, which was refreshing.

The humor and action balance was a bit uneven, but it’s a breezier, more watchable film than its reputation suggests. Victor Von Doom once again makes a return, though it was quite unnecessary. The story often felt overstuffed, especially with a rushed world-ending threat. Still, there’s fun to be had here, especially for younger audiences and fans of the Surfer.

Fantastic Four (2005)

The 2005 Fantastic Four was a bright, action-comedy take on Marvel’s First Family that embraced the bombastic comic book tone, for better or worse. It marked a sharp departure from the darker superhero films of the early 2000s and leaned into spectacle, humor, and vibrant character dynamics. Its biggest strength lies in the cast.

Chris Evans steals nearly every scene as Johnny Storm, bringing cocky charisma and perfect comedic timing. Michael Chiklis delivers a heartfelt and tragic take on Ben Grimm/The Thing, while Ioan Gruffudd and Jessica Alba provide serviceable versions of Reed and Sue. The film has a fun, Saturday morning cartoon vibe, making it perfect for family audiences.

It doesn’t shy away from embracing its sci-fi roots. However, the movie is also undeniably a product of its time, packed with mid-2000s clichés, dated CGI, and some cringeworthy dialogue. Its take on Doctor Doom falls flat, giving him an underwhelming corporate backstory and a villain arc that lacks the gravitas or threat level of his comic counterpart.

Still, for many, this film remains a nostalgic favorite. It’s lighthearted, easy to watch, and features some genuinely funny and warm moments between the team members. If nothing else, it captured the essence of four very different people learning to become a family—even if the final product didn’t quite soar as high as the source material promised.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally gave Marvel’s First Family the adaptation they’ve always deserved. This 2025 reboot under Marvel Studios got nearly everything right, from tone to casting to cosmic stakes. The film balances humor, emotion, and high-concept science fiction without ever losing sight of its heart: family.

Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben feel more like real people than ever before. Their transformation into superheroes is told in the opening montage, leaving the rest of the movie to explore their personalities in more detail. More importantly, this is the first film that understands the grandeur of the Fantastic Four’s world.

The movie fully embraces their explorer identity, sending them to strange universes and battling threats bigger than Earth, including Galactus. This time, the Devourer of Worlds is done right: a towering, god-like being that evokes awe and fear, straight from Jack Kirby’s designs. The visuals are stunning, and the score underscores every moment with epic flair.

First Steps is brimming with Marvel characters not yet depicted in the MCU and the 1960s retro-futurist tone makes it one of the most unique entrants in the franchise. It feels like a celebration of Marvel’s Silver Age, with numerous references to Jack Kirby. It manages all this while modernizing the characters for today’s audiences.

It’s joyous and hopeful, and finally proves that with the right team, the Fantastic Four can stand tall alongside the MCU’s best. This is the definitive live-action version of the team, and it’s the only one that captures what made them special from the beginning. The Fantastic Four: First Steps presents Marvel’s First Family at their very best.