The Fantastic Four have been part of Marvel since 1961, but their live-action history has been filled with misfires. While their comics have introduced iconic characters and helped shape the Marvel Universe, most film and TV versions have fallen short of capturing the glory of the Fantastic Four. As Marvel Studios works to finally deliver a worthy adaptation, here’s a look back at every live-action and animated Fantastic Four movie/series, ranked from worst to best.
Note that the Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, and is confirmed to be the longest Fantastic Four film ever made.
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7. The Fantastic Four (1994 Unreleased)
- Release Year: 1994
- Director: Oley Sassone
- IMDb Rating: 3.8
- Rotten Tomatoes: 27%
- Box Office: Unreleased
Made on a shoestring budget, this film was never meant for the public. Roger Corman created it just to keep the film rights. It never hit theaters but has since become a cult favorite because of its goofy charm and close ties to the comics. The effects are basic, the acting is stiff, and the costumes look homemade, but the effort feels honest.
It is not great by normal standards, yet it stands out as an important part of comic book movie history. Its very existence helped make later Fantastic Four films possible.
6. Fantastic Four (2015)
- Release Year: 2015
- Director: Josh Trank
- IMDb Rating: 4.3
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9% (Critics), 18% (Audience)
- Box Office: $167 million (budget reportedly $120 million)
- Platform: Disney+
This reboot is often seen as the lowest point in the franchise. It tried to give the team a darker, more serious tone, but the result felt flat and lifeless. Behind-the-scenes problems, including director issues and reshoots, left the story messy and the characters underdeveloped.
Even with a strong cast like Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell, the film had no spark. The effects looked unfinished, and the ending felt rushed. Instead of a fresh start, it turned into a warning about how not to do a reboot.
5. Fantastic Four (2005)
- Release Year: 2005
- Director: Tim Story
- IMDb Rating: 5.7
- Rotten Tomatoes: 28% (Critics), 45% (Audience)
- Box Office: $333 million
- Platform: Disney+
The 2005 movie gave the Fantastic Four their first big-budget spotlight. It had flashy visuals and a light tone that made it easy to watch, and the cast brought solid energy to their roles. Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis made the team feel fun, even if the story was thin.
Julian McMahon’s Doctor Doom didn’t leave a huge mark, and the movie focused more on jokes and action than the deeper side of the comics. Still, it helped reintroduce the team to audiences and paved the way for a sequel.
4. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
- Release Year: 2007
- Director: Tim Story
- IMDb Rating: 5.6
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37% (Critics), 51% (Audience)
- Box Office: $301 million
- Platform: Disney+
The sequel added some shine, but still fell short of the mark. Silver Surfer was the standout, with Doug Jones’s performance and Laurence Fishburne’s voice giving the character real presence. However, turning Galactus into a giant cloud left fans cold.
The team’s chemistry improved, and the story moved along more smoothly, but the movie still lacked real impact. It tried to grow the world a bit but didn’t raise the stakes or leave a lasting impression. Fun in parts, but it never quite became the step forward the series needed.
3. Fantastic Four (1994 Animated Series)
- Release Year: 1994
- Format: Animated television series
- IMDb Rating: 6.3
- Rotten Tomatoes: Not Rated
- Platform: Disney+
This animated series ran for two seasons and did a pretty good job sticking to the comics. It had some cheesy parts, but that was part of the charm. The show introduced younger fans to big stories like Galactus and the Silver Surfer and kept things fun with bright colours and fast action.
The voice acting was hit or miss, and the animation wasn’t always great, but it brought in a bunch of classic Marvel characters to the silver screen and showed real dedication to the source material. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was a fun way to get into the Fantastic Four’s world.
2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
- Release Year: 2025
- Director: Matt Shakman
- Cast: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm)
- Platform: Marvel Studios theatrical release
- Status: Releasing on 25 July 2025
Marvel’s new Fantastic Four movie hasn’t hit theatres yet, but fans are already buzzing. With a big-name cast and a strong team behind the scenes, people are hoping this reboot finally does the team justice. As part of Phase 6 of the MCU, it could play a major role in shaping where Marvel goes next.
With Kevin Feige leading the charge and talk of multiverse crossovers, this version might be the one to finally put Marvel’s First Family in the spotlight. If it lives up to the hype, it could be one of the biggest MCU movies yet.
1. Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes (2006 Animated Series)
- Release Year: 2006
- Format: Animated television series
- IMDb Rating: 6.7
- Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
- Platform: Disney+
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes is hands down the best Fantastic Four adaptation. It stays true to the comics with great characters and voice acting. The animation looks good and fits the story well.
The villains get solid development, making the show more interesting. The mix of action and humour keeps it fun. Whether you’re an old fan or just want to watch these heroes in action before the big Marvel movie hits theatres, this series is the perfect choice for you.
Fantastic Four Movies/Series Ranked
It won’t be wrong to say that the Fantastic Four haven’t had the best luck adaptation-wise, with most of them failing to stick the landing. While some of them have made millions at the box office, these movies aren’t looked at favourably. So, Marvel is putting a lot on the line, kicking off Phase 6 with a Fantastic Four reboot. Let us hope they get it right this time and give fans the Fantastic Four movie they truly deserve.
