‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Early Reactions Praise Film as One of Marvel’s Best, Vanessa Kirby Is a Standout | Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Fantastic Four, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Longform, Marvel, Movies, Pedro Pascal, Ralph Ineson, Reviews, Vanessa Kirby | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip
The first reactions are here for the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps!
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn star as the titular heroes in the Marvel film, which serves as the kick-off to the MCU’s Phase Six.
The upcoming movie is “set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world,” and “introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Quinn) 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.”
A social media embargo was recently lifted for those who have seen early screenings, and the movie is getting high praise, with many heralding Vanessa as a standout as Sue Storm!
Keep reading to find out more…
RELATED: Watch the final trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps here!
Check out the first reactions to Fantastic Four below…
I came in tempered but #FantasticFour is truly a return to form for the MCU, the opening minutes blew my socks off in IMAX. Gardner’s & Quinn’s work stood out to me the most. Galactus gives this film real stakes and his presence is felt even off screen, incredible miniature work! pic.twitter.com/eStc6TK0mp
— Brian (@BrianLongFilms) July 19, 2025
Saw #TheFantasticFour today – it’s breathtaking!
Stunning visuals, a moving story, witty banter and epic action. Marvel’s First Family delivers one awesome ride.
Pedro Pascal nails it as Mr. Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby stands out as Sue Storm – she’s a shooting star. 💫— Sharareh Drury (@shararehdrury) July 19, 2025
Nothing will prepare you for #TheFantasticFour First Steps. Pedro Pascal is the perfect Reed, but the entire cast shines and does right by these characters. It’s funny, moving, gorgeous to look at, and non-stop FANTASTIC. This is @MarvelStudios at its brilliant best. 4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/Mf28sxGkwt
— Josh Wilding – ComicBookMovie.com (@Josh_Wilding) July 19, 2025
#TheFantasticFour: First Steps is INSPIRING and the DEFINITIVE take on Marvel’s First Family. Matt Shakman redefines a new era of Marvel with an adventure that is a COSMIC STORM OF IMAGINATION and a future foundation for the MCU to build upon. It’s a film proudly rooted in the… pic.twitter.com/AcfEYoukxI
— Daniel Baptista • The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour isn’t just fantastic: it’s a triumph. Shakman’s all-time direction & masterful score create a genre-defining retro-futuristic film, leading to a better, brighter & optimistic MCU. The 4 leads are everything we needed. Joseph Quinn’s casting is generational. pic.twitter.com/548WpmAJue
— 🔸 Juan* – Box Office Expert (@filmsbyJuan) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour is visually stunning, stylish, self-contained, and easy to jump into. I had such a good time with this one. The retrofuturism is such a snack. My stand out is Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm babe I will die for you, you are perfect. pic.twitter.com/RlRgk6U83U
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) July 19, 2025
#TheFantasticFour: First Steps is EXTRAORDINARY! The score is pure magic, the visuals are next-level, and the cast chemistry is electric. It’s bold, fresh, and unlike anything Marvel’s done before. This is their next MASTERPIECE! pic.twitter.com/lg5UHguPoi
— Shahbaz • The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour First Steps is visually one of the best things Marvel has ever made. Parts feel like Interstellar & demand IMAX.
Galactus is awesome. Silver Surfer looks really, really good. VFX were often immaculate.
Cosmically and on Earth, Matt Shakman dropped a visual feast. pic.twitter.com/bDSiSTNif7
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) July 19, 2025
#TheFantasticFour is SIMPLY FANTASTIC! Marvel’s first family shines with chemistry & charisma Stan Lee would be proud of. Visually incredible, the FF dazzle from start to finish. Ben Grimm brings the heart. Silver Surfer is perfection. Matt Shakman delivers one of Marvel’s best. pic.twitter.com/OTqbbh75em
— Anthony Gagliardi (@AJGaliardi) July 19, 2025
Pedro nails Reed’s stoicism and dashing brilliance, while Joseph makes Johnny feel ever so valiant. But man, I can’t remember the last time I adored two Marvel heroes like Ebon’s Ben and Vanessa’s Sue. They hold the family together and ground the others when no one else can. pic.twitter.com/KyqOcaLJrB
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) July 19, 2025
More initial thoughts: movie is less focused on action and more on the FF solving problems as a family, which can be appreciated. The plot itself is a bit too nonsensical and scenes feel cut out for the sake of time. Galactus looks awesome. Not perfect, but the cast saves it 4️⃣
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour Is a masterpiece. the visual effects and the score are a HUGE stand out. Galactus Is huge In IMAX. It’s emotional and gives you hope. It beats you off and doesn’t stop. STAY Until the END CREDITS. pic.twitter.com/jEvx7g7Ojt
— deo (@frickyuu) July 19, 2025
I had my doubts going in about some of the cast, but the team chemistry works and they really do gel by the end. Go watch it in IMAX to feel Ralph Ineson’s Galactus voice vibrate in your bones. Also, the retro-futuristic world Shakman has put together here is stunning. (2/3)
— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) July 19, 2025
I have but one gripe. Like Superman, there are some rough CGI baby moments that might give you nightmares. I don’t know why babies seem to be so tough for animators to get right but I’d almost prefer the actors just wrap a football in a blanket and pretend it’s a baby. (3/3) pic.twitter.com/s6rdI77GaS
— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour is what marvel needed.
Family dynamics are there and the stakes are high. Everyone is perfectly cast and Vanessa Kirby as Sue is a stand out! Matt Shakman reminds us why we loved his work in WandaVision and why we’ll love this film! pic.twitter.com/NXPhRK43G7
— anthony (@lizziesjuul) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour is an incredible movie. The first 60 minutes are fantastic but in general, the whole movie is honestly magical.
If you go into this movie with your expectations high- prepare for your mind to still be blown. It’s THAT good.
Also STAY around for the end credits❗️ pic.twitter.com/JJkWSOdofU
— yoshi (@yoshiyshzey) July 19, 2025
My #FantasticFour review:
It’s propulsive, grade-A entertainment, fluent in political theory and cinema history, sexy and provocative, tight as a drum and thrillingly tactile. Bring tissues, but not because you’re going to cry. pic.twitter.com/Jgi2PJBKhO— katie!! (@Takoberu2002) July 19, 2025
I especially enjoyed when Ben and Johnny shared the screen – they’re hilarious together. Reed and Sue seemed so in love. Oh, and Galactus is huge! His voice rumbled my seat!
— Law⚡️ (@LawJSharma) July 19, 2025
The story is good, not great, but it’s handled very well. I’m excited to see this team’s next outing because I think it’ll only get crazier from here on out!
— Law⚡️ (@LawJSharma) July 19, 2025
this is appointment #imax viewing. galactus scenes alone are worth the price of admission. insanely impressed with the visuals here which often times envoke interstellar
— maddox 🦇 (@selinasboot) July 19, 2025
#FantasticFour Quite possibly the best Marvel Studios film ever released. Absolutely loaded with talent and standout performances from Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn. If you thought the MCU died with Endgame, think again. Thoughtfully crafted and easily a genre-defining classic pic.twitter.com/nU8k7c7boC
— george mckay (@harpersmedia) July 19, 2025
Marvel is Back!!! The #FantasticFour is Marvel is finally going back to its roots. The same was Thunderbolts was Marvel going back to its roots. The same way Deadpool and Wolverine went back to its roots. The same way Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 3 went back to its roots as well.… pic.twitter.com/p8HsC5rc6e
— Super-Jin ❤️🔥 (@Jinsakuu) July 19, 2025
Matt Shakman delivers an action packed, humorous and fun film with #TheFantasticFour the family dynamic between Marvel’s first family is there!
The entire cast is great but the FANTASTIC standout is Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm! pic.twitter.com/8QjTPRtnhK
— 𝓙 (@i0lsen) July 19, 2025
I have seen #TheFantasticFour and I can say it’s a total BLAST! Marvel’s first family is here to stay with an incredible, an emotional story and great visuals. The entire cast is great, but the real standout is Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Don’t miss it July 25th! pic.twitter.com/8WECDWzT9e
— Davy (@davybirth) July 19, 2025
