Looking for the correct Fantastic Four movies in order? You’re not alone — this franchise has been rebooted so many times that even longtime fans lose track of which version connects to which. Here’s the good news: release order and chronological order are almost the same thing here, because each era is its own standalone continuity rather than one long connected story. Marvel’s First Family debuted in comics in 1961 and has since powered a multi-billion-dollar corner of pop culture, with the 2025 MCU version becoming a certified box-office hit. Before you press play, here’s your quick-answer table to sort out exactly where to start.
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Quick Answer: Fantastic Four Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fantastic Four | 2005 | Tim Story |
| 2 | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer | 2007 | Tim Story |
| 3 | Fantastic Four | 2015 | Josh Trank |
| 4 | The Fantastic Four: First Steps | 2025 | Matt Shakman |
Quick note: these aren’t sequels stacking on top of each other — each row above is a fresh continuity, so release order is your watch order. Nothing after 2005 requires you to have seen what came before it.
Fantastic Four Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Fantastic Four (2005)
This is where the modern film franchise kicks off. Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm get exposed to cosmic radiation on a space mission and gain their signature powers, setting up their rivalry with future villain Victor Von Doom. It’s a lighter, more comic-booky take than what came later, leaning into the found-family dynamic between the four leads. Behind the scenes, Chris Evans played Johnny Storm here years before becoming Captain America at Marvel Studios, a bit of casting trivia fans still bring up constantly. It sets the tone directly for its 2007 follow-up.
2. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The direct sequel to the 2005 film, this one introduces the Silver Surfer as a herald warning Earth of an incoming cosmic threat. The team has to figure out whether he’s friend or foe while planning Reed and Sue’s wedding in the background. Production-wise, the Silver Surfer’s look was achieved through then-cutting-edge motion capture work with actor Doug Jones, voiced separately by Laurence Fishburne. This closed out the Tim Story-directed era, and the franchise wouldn’t return to screens for eight years.
3. Fantastic Four (2015)
Often called “Fant4stic” by fans, this Josh Trank-directed reboot wipes the slate clean with an entirely new cast, including Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. It reimagines the origin as a darker, more grounded sci-fi story involving interdimensional travel gone wrong. The film became notorious for extensive reshoots and a famously troubled production, which the director publicly criticized shortly after release. It has zero narrative connection to the 2005-2007 duology or what came after.
4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Marvel Studios’ long-awaited MCU debut for the team, set on a retro-futuristic alternate Earth styled after 1960s optimism. Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben must protect their world — and Reed and Sue’s newborn son — from the planet-devouring Galactus. The film leans into practical, warm production design deliberately distinct from the rest of the MCU’s visual language, and it earned the franchise’s best-ever critical reception. Its post-credits scene sets up the team’s arrival in the mainline MCU for Avengers: Doomsday.
Do You Need to Watch First Steps Before Avengers: Doomsday?
Yes. Unlike the earlier films, First Steps isn’t a standalone reboot — it directly sets up the Fantastic Four’s role in Avengers: Doomsday, and skipping it means missing character introductions and a key post-credits tease that pays off in the crossover.
Minimum viable watch order:
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) — required for MCU context
- Thunderbolts* (2025) — optional but helpful, its ending connects directly to First Steps
- Avengers: Doomsday (2026) — the payoff
You can safely skip the 2005, 2007, and 2015 films entirely if your only goal is understanding the MCU storyline — they exist in separate continuities and have no bearing on Doomsday.
How Many Fantastic Four Movies Are There?
There are 4 officially released Fantastic Four films: the 2005 and 2007 duology, the 2015 reboot, and 2025’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. A fifth film, shot in 1994, was produced but never officially released and isn’t counted as part of the canon.
All Fantastic Four Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Fantastic Four — July 8, 2005
2. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer — June 15, 2007
3. Fantastic Four — August 7, 2015
4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps — July 25, 2025
What’s Next for the Franchise?
The next chapter isn’t a standalone Fantastic Four film — it’s Avengers: Doomsday, currently scheduled for December 18, 2026, where the team joins the broader MCU roster to face Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. From there, Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to follow in 2027, though as with any franchise this far out, dates and plot details remain subject to change until Marvel confirms them closer to release. No dedicated First Steps sequel has been officially announced yet, though Marvel has indicated the team will remain central to the MCU going forward.
FAQ
Do the Fantastic Four movies connect to each other?
No. Only the 2005 and 2007 films share continuity; the 2015 reboot and 2025’s First Steps each start over with new casts and settings.
What order should I watch the Fantastic Four movies in?
Release order works fine for the Fantastic Four movies in order since none of the reboots require prior context — start with 2005 if you want the full history, or jump straight to First Steps (2025) for the MCU version.
Is the 2015 Fantastic Four movie connected to the MCU?
No. The 2015 film was made by Fox before Disney acquired the studio, and it has no connection to the 2025 MCU version or Avengers: Doomsday.
Do I need to watch old Fantastic Four movies before Avengers: Doomsday?
No. Only The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) is required viewing — the 2005, 2007, and 2015 films are separate continuities and can be skipped entirely.
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