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The Fantastic Four has always been one of Marvel’s most iconic superhero teams, but Hollywood has struggled to do them justice. Whether it's inconsistent tone, lackluster storytelling, or just missing the soul of the characters, this franchise has been through it. But with the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, it finally feels like we're heading in the right direction.
Here’s my ranking of every Fantastic Four movie, starting from the best and working our way down.
This one’s just... rough. Let’s pretend this one never existed.
The 2015 reboot had potential. It had a talented cast and a darker tone that could’ve worked. But everything about the execution felt disconnected. The pacing was strange, the character development was thin, and by the time we got to the third act, it felt like the movie gave up on itself. Michael B. Jordan did what he could with the Human Torch role, but the film didn’t give him or anyone else room to breathe.
It’s not even so bad it’s good....it’s just forgettable. A missed opportunity on every level.’
Rise of the Silver Surfer tried to raise the stakes, but didn’t quite hit the mark. The introduction of the Silver Surfer was one of the more ambitious swings the franchise has taken, and the visuals were ahead of their time. Still, the story felt undercooked. It didn’t expand on the first film as much as it should have, and the emotional development of the characters was left on the table.
It had its moments, but not enough of them. A decent sequel, but not essential.
This one is nostalgic, no question. The 2005 Fantastic Four movie gave us a solid introduction to the team, even if the execution lacked depth. It didn’t dive deep into the complexities of the characters, but it had just enough charm to work. The pacing was fast, sometimes to a fault, and the emotional beats didn’t always land. Still, there’s something to appreciate here—especially Chris Evans as the Human Torch.To this day, Evans remains the best Human Torch we’ve seen. He had the swagger, the humor, and the chaotic energy that character needed. The rest of the cast did what they could, but Johnny Storm stole the show. This is also when everyone (including myself), began crushing over Jessica Alba.
First Steps is easily the strongest adaptation so far. While it’s not perfect, it’s a much-needed reboot that gives us hope for the MCU’s direction with this team. It leans into deeper themes and touches on how society reacts to change, the fear of the unknown, and the burden of becoming something more than human.
I’ll be honest—my only critique is that I didn’t fully connect with the characters the way I wanted to. The team dynamic had potential, but it still felt like we were being introduced rather than immersed. That said, the actor who plays The Thing stood out in a big way. His performance had a grounded, human quality that gave real emotional weight to a character that’s often hard to get right.
This movie might not blow everyone away, but it’s a good foundation. It’s the first time in a long time that the Fantastic Four felt like a story worth building on.
