THE FANTASTIC FOUR Faces Bigger-Than-Expected Drop As WEAPONS And FREAKIER FRIDAY's CinemaScores Are Revealed

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Faces Bigger-Than-Expected Drop As WEAPONS And FREAKIER FRIDAY's CinemaScores Are Revealed

With Weapons and Freakier Friday both exceeding expectations at the North American box office, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is facing a bigger-than-expected drop during its third weekend in theaters.

By JoshWilding - Aug 09, 2025 10:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four
Source: Deadline

UPDATE: The final figures won't be in until Monday morning, but here's the latest from today:


Weapons and Freakier Friday have opened in theaters this weekend, and the two vastly different movies are exceeding expectations at the North American box office. However, good news for them is not-so-great news for The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Weapons is heading for a $38 million debut, including Thursday's $5.7 million previews. This marks the 11th time this year that a Warner Bros. title has sat in first place, good news for a studio that had a pretty disastrous 2024. 

Moviegoers awarded filmmaker Zach Cregger's latest horror movie an A- CinemaScore. On Rotten Tomatoes, Weapons has 96% from critics and 89% on the Popcornmeter. 

As for Freakier Friday, that's eyeing a $30 million opening weekend, a solid start for a movie that only cost $45 million to produce. The Disney title has been awarded 73% by critics and 94% from moviegoers on Rotten Tomatoes, and beat Weapons with a highly sought-after A CinemaScore. 

What does this mean for Marvel's First Family? Following an estimated $5 million on Friday, it looks set to make $16 million - $18 million during its third weekend in theaters, a 56% drop (which is still much better than its steep 66% decline during its second frame).

That falls short of this week's $20 million projections, but at this rate, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will have reached $231 million - $233 million in the U.S. by the end of Sunday. 

In our review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, we concluded, "The Fantastic Four is an exceptional introduction to the MCU’s First Family, and thanks to a Jack Kirby-infused feel that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before, it proves to be a quintessential superhero movie with Marvel Studios at its brilliant best.

Rounding out the top five are DreamWorks Animation's The Bad Guys 2 ($10.5 million) and The Naked Gun ($8.15 million).

What did you watch in theaters this weekend?

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

Also appearing are Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, and Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert. John Malkovich was set to play Red Ghost, but was cut due to time constraints.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer.

The movie is now playing in theaters.

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THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Concept Art Reveals A Touching Moment That Didn't Make The Final Cut

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HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 8/9/2025, 10:37 AM
User Comment Image
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/9/2025, 10:44 AM
@HashTagSwagg - Fantastic Four Sequel been Confirmed by Man in Charge.

During yesterday's earnings call, Disney's Bob Iger said that The Fantastic Four had “successfully launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Studios is said to be forging ahead with a sequel (bringing back filmmaker Matt Shakman to direct), with the idea being that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will further increase interest in the Fantastic Four.
Gabimaru
Gabimaru - 8/9/2025, 10:58 AM
@AllsGood - you and josh should hug each other and brace for another flop
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/9/2025, 11:02 AM
@Gabimaru - Send all complaints to Disney's Bob Iger.

During yesterday's earnings call, Disney's Bob Iger said that The Fantastic Four had “Successfully Launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 8/9/2025, 11:31 AM
@AllsGood - launched succesfully as in the Challenger back in 86 .
McMurdo
McMurdo - 8/9/2025, 12:27 PM
@AllsGood - good luck. You already wasted Galactus. I'm not sure how they expect a sequel to make more than this one unless they are cutting the budget in half.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 8/9/2025, 1:22 PM
@AllsGood - Igers ability to bullshit shareholders is only possible because Lilo made so much money. This is looking to be a massive bomb. Iger is being replaced in 2026. No future project is safe.
TheLobster
TheLobster - 8/9/2025, 1:32 PM
@AllsGood - alright now I fully give up on talking sense to you. Do you think Fantastic Four struggling to break even (as of right now - it has not) is a success? It’s not. Marvel is full of shit to save face and leaning more on the success of the film being well received but make no mistake - this is a 100% FLOP.

They’re banking on the characters being more popular after Doomsday and Secret Wars, which makes sense, but that’s why they’re greenlighting a sequel. Not because this film is doing well. It’s doing bad, which is a shame, but it’s very much the consequences of putting out a ton of shit projects/films. It’s very simple if you don’t have beer goggles on for a studio.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/9/2025, 2:08 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - Fact that Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are in active Production. I believe him.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/9/2025, 2:12 PM
@TheLobster - Since Avengers: Doomsday is in ACTIVE production I believe him.

User Comment Image
rockinsokinrobo
rockinsokinrobo - 8/9/2025, 2:35 PM
@AllsGood - if Igor thought f4 was a success why did feige think it was a flop if it reached 400 I know reshoots but they said it was budget for 180 and doubled its box office
rockinsokinrobo
rockinsokinrobo - 8/9/2025, 2:40 PM
@rockinsokinrobo - cap4 brave
dragon316
dragon316 - 8/9/2025, 10:39 AM
Surprised freaky Friday two is doing I’m not excited about that sequel but it looks fun to watch for entertainment I will see next time I have off
Thing94
Thing94 - 8/9/2025, 10:40 AM
keep going! make it to 45 days plus in theaters!
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 8/9/2025, 10:40 AM
Lol ...flopity flop
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 10:58 AM
@Malatrova15 - but haven't you heard?

During yesterday's earnings call, Disney's Bob Iger said that The Fantastic Four had “successfully launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Studios is said to be forging ahead with a sequel (bringing back filmmaker Matt Shakman to direct), with the idea being that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will further increase interest in the Fantastic Four.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/9/2025, 11:03 AM
@Oberlin4Prez - Dude, you needed to post this from your Allsgood account, not your main
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 11:07 AM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - LOL. I wish I was smart enough to have created that AI chat bot of an account.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/9/2025, 11:21 AM
@Oberlin4Prez - I suspect some rogue Indian scambot gained sentience, like some kind of Temu Ultron, and is now aggressively compiling box office numbers. It now feeds exclusively off Hulk screenshots.

User Comment Image
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 8/9/2025, 11:30 AM
@Oberlin4Prez - lol…launched succesfully as the fricking Challenger
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 12:01 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - bahaha hahahaha
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 12:03 PM
@Malatrova15 - Word.

For the record, I enjoyed the movie, but I'm not surprised it's not meeting the moment with the box office.

It's funny to see people compare it to a phase 1 movie, which is fine for Phase 1 but we're in phase 6. They gotta make these stories more appealing.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 8/9/2025, 12:30 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - lol in what universese does @oberlin4prez and @allsgood sound remotely the same. Is this earth 828? Do I have a mustache here?
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/9/2025, 12:37 PM
@McMurdo - I was just poking fun at his reply, which is a copy/pasted article bit that Allsgood has also been copy/pasting earlier.

Don't worry man, it's a fine-looking mustache !
User Comment Image
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 12:45 PM
@McMurdo - LoL
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 8/9/2025, 12:46 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - LOL
ElBlancoChoco
ElBlancoChoco - 8/9/2025, 5:48 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - Zappa. Nice.

Baaaabbbbyyyyy Snaaaaaaakes.

Never a bad tune in his exquisite library.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/9/2025, 6:09 PM
@ElBlancoChoco - I didn't get much into his later/synclavier stuff, but I certainly appreciate what he stood for. An uncompromising creative force, who wasn't afraid to expose phonies and the likes, doing what he loves in the process, all with a sharp sense of humour.

San Ber'dino is easily one of my favourites, along with Strictly Genteel and the Black Page new age from Make A Jazz Noise Here

?si=GiC-bJTZgy1V0b0N
ElBlancoChoco
ElBlancoChoco - 8/12/2025, 3:06 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - zappa quickly became a top 5 artist for me. I've been picking up a lot of the vault stuff they've released. Sheik Yerbouti got me into him but love the early 70s run he had. I haven't gone much further then Man From Utopia just because it didn't hit me like everything else did.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/12/2025, 5:11 PM
@ElBlancoChoco - Over-Nite Sensation is the one that got me hooked, but yeah, his 70's run is top notch stuff. One Size Fits All must be among his best records, front to back.
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 8/9/2025, 10:41 AM
WB is having a really great 2025, the only under performer is Micky 17 off the top of my head (which is a giant shame).

Would be topping the box office this year if Disney didn’t have Avatar and Zootopia coming
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 8/9/2025, 10:45 AM
@DannRamm113

Alto Knights also flopped. Still haven’t watched it and my buddy was an extra in it.
tmp3
tmp3 - 8/9/2025, 10:49 AM
@regularmovieguy - Alto Knights is sadly the worst movie I’ve seen all year. Was pretty excited for it too. I hope your buddy had a great time on set, the median age of the film’s star, writer & director was like 85 lol
tmp3
tmp3 - 8/9/2025, 10:54 AM
@DannRamm113 - The new WB film chiefs turned the tide like crazy. They’re genuine film lovers - one of the first films De Luca ever greenlit was Boogie Nights when he was in his 20’s - and you can see that in their slate. Think One Battle After Another is gonna be pretty fantastic too; hope Leo’s star power helps that one out
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 8/9/2025, 10:54 AM
@tmp3

Haha I can’t bring myself to watch it! I don’t even think he’s seen it. He said it was a cool experience - got paid like $100 for ten hours work.

That geeks me out how old DeNiro and Sonnenfeld are, haha. They’re so pappy.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 8/9/2025, 10:42 AM
There's a chance F4 may not reach half a billion.
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