Why You Need To Watch SUPERMAN And THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS In Theaters This Summer

Why You Need To Watch SUPERMAN And THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS In Theaters This Summer

Superman and The Fantastic Four will be released in theaters this July, but if you're a real comic book fan, then you should want to support Marvel and DC in what might be a crucial summer for them both...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Jun 03, 2025 02:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

"They come out 2 weeks after us - there's room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you'd want to find online. I'd focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars."

Those are the words of James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO and director of this summer's Superman. He's referring to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the MCU movie scheduled to open two weeks after the DCU's first theatrical release.

Look on social media, and you'll find that there is indeed a Superman vs. Fantastic Four narrative, whether it be in terms of potential box office takings or which of the movies will rank higher on Rotten Tomatoes. 

A little bit of competitiveness never hurt anyone; however, we believe the best possible thing for any fan to do this summer will be to support both movies. In this feature, we're taking a deep dive into why you need to prioritise watching both movies...
 

5. The DCU's Future Hinges On Superman's Success

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2023 was a terrible year for DC fans. Shazam! Fury of the Gods was a forgettable start to the year, The Flash was a grotesque mess, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ranks among the most disappointing sequels ever. Blue Beetle was fine, but also pretty basic. 

The DCU's future is now in the hands of James Gunn and Peter Safran. While Lanterns and Supergirl will be released regardless of what happens this summer, the franchise largely hinges on Superman's success.

If fans don't turn up for the reboot, then there's every chance Warner Bros. Discovery will shelve the DC brand and only release the odd Batman movie here and there (which was the status quo for decades). Love or hate him, DC is in better hands with Gunn than the mercurial David Zaslav.
 

4. The Fantastic Four Need To Be More Than Supporting Characters

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After Deadpool & Wolverine broke records last year, 2024 hasn't got off to the greatest of starts for Marvel Studios. Captain America: Brave New World was a critical and commercial disappointment, and not even glowing reviews could help Thunderbolts* soar at the box office.

If The Fantastic Four: First Steps goes the same way, you can forget about ever seeing a sequel. Marvel's First Family has already starred in a string of flops, and this movie's underperformance would relegate the team to supporting character status in the Avengers franchise. 

That would do Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny a huge disservice. Plus, with a unique 1960s setting, The Fantastic Four feels like a legitimate risk for Marvel Studios. If it doesn't pay off, we'll see them play it safe moving forward, and that might not be good news for the X-Men. 
 

3. There Is No Marvel vs. DC War

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This might shock some of you, but it is possible to support Marvel and DC. No one would blame you for preferring one over the other, but the perceived war between the two companies exists primarily in the heads of territorial fans. 

Kevin Feige and James Gunn have shown support for each other and are acutely aware that the better the competition does, the more they'll benefit as well. 2023's disastrous DCEU offerings, for example, did nothing to end talk of so-called "superhero fatigue." 

So, whether you're a die-hard DC fan or live and breathe all things Marvel, it might not be a bad idea to put bias aside and make sure you give both of these awesome-looking movies some love when they arrive in theaters next month. 
 

2. Superhero Movies Need Fans Now More Than Ever

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We don't buy into all the talk of "superhero fatigue," but there's no denying that moviegoers aren't flocking to this genre the way they once did. Now, a comic book movie needs to be an event; anything else post-COVID can seemingly wait for streaming. 

For whatever reason, even some fans have turned on the genre. Petty complaints like Pedro Pascal's Mister Fantastic having a moustache and Superman's trunks used to make for fun debates. Now, they're used by some as a reason not to watch these movies. 

If you love this genre and want it to continue, then buying a ticket for Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an absolute must. If you can take your family and friends with you, that's even better, because these look like two releases deserving of this level of support. 
 

1. Both Movies Are Something New For Their Respective Franchises

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We alluded to this earlier, but Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are both something new for their respective franchises. Gunn is embracing the comics for his take on the Man of Steel, ditching the moody tone established by Zack Snyder for something more hopeful.

The Fantastic Four, meanwhile, is the closest we've got to a direct adaptation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's early Marvel Comics. It's not your typical MCU movie, and should be all the better for it. 

If you want your comic book movies to break new ground and put the spotlight on characters who might otherwise remain on the page, it's well worth supporting the Man of Tomorrow and Marvel's First Family...especially with Jurassic World Rebirth on the loose.
 

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BrainySleep
BrainySleep - 6/3/2025, 2:52 PM
I was going to watch both at the cinema but don't want to now
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 6/3/2025, 4:03 PM
@BrainySleep - go figure a white man telling us billionare companies need us ..lol
Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/3/2025, 5:13 PM
@BrainySleep -
Who the eff are these people to tell us what to do.
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 6/3/2025, 2:55 PM
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GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 6/3/2025, 2:56 PM
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/3/2025, 4:32 PM
@GeneralZod - Has the Marvel Studios M-She-U stopped others and you from going to Marvel Studios movies?
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 6/3/2025, 2:57 PM
We don't buy into all the talk of "superhero fatigue," but there's no denying that moviegoers aren't flocking to this genre the way they once did.


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Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/3/2025, 5:16 PM
@Ryguy88 -
It's not comic book fans that need to go. It's the general audiences that need to plunk down the simoleons and in order for that to happen the moives need to be both good, as in well constructed stories, and they need to be accessible to people who are not up on a bunch of lore. If a movie feels like homework they aren't going. If it's a fun ride no matter if they fully grasp what is going on then they will succeed. Superman has a much better chance than FF IMHO, just because of the brand. FF has to catch some critical buzz to make it.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 6/3/2025, 2:59 PM
Something tells me if both films are hot garbage, Josh is still gonna tell us how great they are, at least until it's okay to say otherwise.
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 6/3/2025, 3:12 PM
@HashTagSwagg - Josh loves his 4/5 star reviews
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 6/3/2025, 2:59 PM
This website posts daily rumors, leaks, and spoilers from Twitter, and then hits us with an article on why we need to watch them in theaters.

Also if there's any audience that will, it's this one LOL
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 6/3/2025, 3:03 PM
Why is Superhero fatigue such a bad no no phrase? Is it unthinkable that after 25 years of Comicbook movies that people might be moving on a bit? I mean it's been a legendary run. Massive highs, and embarrassing lows. Box office bombs and movies that seemed to print money.

It can't last forever... Even if I wish it would
dragon316
dragon316 - 6/3/2025, 3:18 PM
@DarthOmega - there is no super her fatigue it’s excuse reason super her movie sucks that fans made up look how many marvel movies was made leading up to avengers infinity war and end game marvel movie was being released every other month every few months people still saw them avengers end game made three billion .,

Super hero fatigue is same excuse as Covid , tarrifs , bad economy prices go up people blame for high prices first it was Covid then economy now it’s tarrifs
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 6/3/2025, 3:46 PM
@DarthOmega - I would believe the CBM fatigue theory to be credible if the only two really good CBMs of the last five years -- NWH and DP/W -- hadn't made anywhere close to the $1.9 billion and $1.2 billion that each made, respectively. Two studios have given us mostly trash since Endgame. I have a good feeling Superman is going to hit $900 million and FF is going to do $400 million, and that will reinforce that CBM fatigue is not the reason, and that audiences reward good movies and punish bad ones.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 6/3/2025, 4:20 PM
@GeneralZod - it's less cbm fatigue than it is MCU fatigue. It takes certain specifiers to break the barrier on this front such as Logan returning to team up in an R rated film with Deadpool, or old Spider-men returning for an MCU tram up.....nostalgia essentially. The only other MCU films that have done well without nostalgia? You have James Gunns productions like Guardians 3, characters people adore and a film that is simply very well written with an emotional core, BP2 where everyone wanted to see how the death of Chadwick would impact a 1 billion dollar franchise...etc.

If Superman does well and FF makes Thunderbolts money, this theory will be truly tested.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/3/2025, 6:13 PM
@McMurdo - except that Fantastic Four isn't MCU, it's a new universe.

But really I don't think the theory needs testing, the evidence is all there. Your theory good sir has been soundly proven. The fans generally loved Thunderbolts and it flopped harder than Brave New World did.
BruceWayng
BruceWayng - 6/3/2025, 3:04 PM
4. The Fantastic Four Need To Be More Than Supporting Characters

Well according to the rumors Reed, Ben and Johnny are supporting characters in this movie too

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SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 6/3/2025, 3:04 PM
I will be there day 1 for superman and will be a harsh critic if I'm honest. Conversely, I will not watch anything with pascal in the lead
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 6/3/2025, 3:12 PM
Why the hell is Thing shorter than Sue?
dragon316
dragon316 - 6/3/2025, 3:22 PM
@JustAWaffle - he’s in background could be angle , things look short from distance in background he’s little behind her not by her side exactly hard to say what his height is in movie sue is few inches shorter to thing rewatch trailer
cheeseburger
cheeseburger - 6/3/2025, 3:12 PM
As a comic book fan I’ll see both.
dragon316
dragon316 - 6/3/2025, 3:13 PM
Superman is James gun first dc movie in theater marvel wil continue make stuff if fantastic four suck I will see Superman but fantastic four I will wait and see at home
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 6/3/2025, 3:14 PM
I’m taking the 5 waffle’s to see Superman. Maybe twice if it’s good
RolandD
RolandD - 6/3/2025, 3:44 PM
@JustAWaffle - I had to read that a couple of times to understand what you were saying. Is waffles a rating system for you was my first thought. I need more coffee/sleep.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 6/4/2025, 1:59 AM
@RolandD - it’s ok. I’m just a waffle🧇, but I have a family of 5 waffles who love movies.

It’s a sweet family. Like a bunch of pancakes with abs.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/3/2025, 3:27 PM
There is Only One War :) Who would Win.

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AllsGood
AllsGood - 6/3/2025, 3:34 PM
@AllsGood - AND I have seen Every DC Comic Book and Marvel Studios movies and seen all of them in the theater.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
ElJefe
ElJefe - 6/3/2025, 3:38 PM
@AllsGood - I’d never bet against Hulk.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 6/4/2025, 2:02 AM
@AllsGood - That’s a tough one. Hulk keeps getting stronger, and there doesn’t seem to be a limit for him. But Superman can fly and is a more intelligent fighter.

I imagine Hulk being stronger than Doomsday, and Doomsday killed Superman, so that’s probably my bet.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 6/3/2025, 8:26 PM
@THEDARKKNIGHT1939 -
Was going to post this also.

Neither film interests me and both have massive red flags.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 6/3/2025, 3:46 PM
Looking for @vectorsigma complaints about josh shilling 👀

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vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 6/3/2025, 8:32 PM
@JurassicClunge - lolz.

Josh is writing this because he knows f4 is in trouble and he needs that superman hype to lift it.

Anyhow. Ill watch both day 1 with x3 on supernan to make him feel better 😀
RolandD
RolandD - 6/3/2025, 3:47 PM
I will be there day one for both movies.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 6/3/2025, 8:30 PM
@RolandD - ditto. A sure x3 for me on superman day 1
RolandD
RolandD - 6/3/2025, 8:50 PM
@vectorsigma - I am hoping that it is something that I will pay to see more than once in the theater.
TheCoonII
TheCoonII - 6/3/2025, 3:56 PM
All of this is valid but don’t pretend this very site hasn’t been partnof the problem
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/3/2025, 4:03 PM
I agree.

Quite the rallying call. And my axe, etc. I'm in, I'll see 'em both.
RacialPowerman
RacialPowerman - 6/3/2025, 4:05 PM
You should watch it at home where you can be comfortable eat,smoke weed,drink do whatever you want to do. You should do whatever you wanna do. Pirate the movies.
Forthas
Forthas - 6/3/2025, 4:05 PM
"If fans don't turn up for the reboot, then there's every chance Warner Bros. Discovery will shelve the DC brand and only release the odd Batman movie here and there..."

OR

They can give the fans what they want instead of the DC matinee comedy and make billions doing it!
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