The Fantastic 4: First Steps watch order: what to watch first

The Fantastic 4: First Steps watch order at a glance

There are no prerequisites. The film takes place on a separate Earth, often called Earth-828, styled like a 1960s vision of the future, where the Avengers do not exist. It does not rely on any earlier film or series, and it skips a long origin sequence in favor of a quick recap, so newcomers can start right here.

That separate setting makes the story-order slot a bit loose. Our list places it after Ironheart, a Disney Plus series set in the main universe, and before Wonder Man, another Disney Plus show. Neither has a plot link to the Fantastic Four; our list simply slots the film between them because its own world has no fixed point on the main timeline. It reached theaters in July 2025 as the first film of Phase 6, and our Marvel Phase 6 in order guide lists what comes after it.

Is there anything worth watching first?

Nothing is required, but one optional extra helps. Thunderbolts*, the film just before it in release order, ends with a tease that points toward this team. It is a fun nod rather than a setup you need, so do not treat it as homework.

What you can skip entirely are the older Fantastic Four movies made by Fox. They are a separate continuity, and First Steps ignores them. If you are completely new to Marvel, our Marvel watch order for beginners explains how this film fits into a first run.

The story, spoiler-free

Years after a space mission gave them their powers, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm are the most famous people on their Earth. They are celebrities and protectors at once, and the city of New York treats them like family. Reed and Sue are also about to become parents.

That happy moment is interrupted when a silver figure arrives from space with a warning. Her master, Galactus, a planet-eating giant, is on his way. The family has to find a way to save the world without losing each other, and the film gives as much time to the domestic side of their life as to the cosmic threat. The retro design, from the cars to the computers, makes it look unlike any other Marvel film.

What to watch after it

The answer depends on what you are following. For the team itself, the next stop is Avengers: Doomsday, where the Fantastic Four are set to return and cross paths with the main universe. For the wider timeline, carry on with Wonder Man in story order or Spider-Man: Brand New Day in release order. Our Multiverse Saga in order guide shows how all of these lead toward the end of the saga.

Why we rate it essential

The Fantastic Four are some of Marvel's oldest and most important heroes, and this film is the studio's long-awaited introduction of them. It is clearly built to bring the team into the wider multiverse story, and the mid-credits scene points straight at that future. If you plan to watch the next Avengers films, this is not one to skip. It also works as a self-contained adventure, which is why it is a strong pick even for viewers who have missed most of the recent titles.

Cast and characters

Matt Shakman directs. Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards, a brilliant scientist who worries about everything. Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, and the real center of the family. Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm, the rocky and warm-hearted Thing. Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm, the hotheaded Human Torch. Ralph Ineson plays Galactus, and Julia Garner is Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer. Their family dynamic, from Ben and Johnny's teasing to Reed and Sue's worries about the baby, is the film's strongest element.

Runtime, credit scenes and where to stream

The film runs 115 minutes, under two hours, which is short by recent Marvel standards. In the US it streams on Disney Plus; elsewhere availability varies by country, so check the watch box on this page.

There are two extra scenes. The mid-credits scene matters a lot, since it sets up the team's next story, while the scene at the very end of the credits is a quick, lighthearted bonus. Stay for both.