Marvel Studios may have a problem on its hands. According to multiple sources, the most recent test screenings of The Fantastic Four: First Steps were held earlier this week in Los Angeles—and the reactions are mixed. Though it’s still in the post-production phase, initial viewer feedback suggests the reboot might not be the triumphant return for Marvel’s First Family that Kevin Feige was hoping for.
Industry scooper Jeff Sneider of The InSneider shared details from a source who attended the screening, describing the film as “mid” and “meh,” clarifying that it was “not that bad, but not that good, either.” Perhaps more concerning are criticisms about “weak character development” and “bad CGI,” the latter of which Sneider notes should improve in the coming weeks as visual effects are finalized.
The cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
“In general, Marvel doesn’t do public test screenings unless they’re worried,” Sneider wrote. “That was the case with Eternals, The Marvels, Quantumania, and Brave New World.”
While Sneider initially reported that Marvel was high on the project internally, another unnamed source reportedly described the film as “a mess” and “a huge problem movie”—echoing language that was once used to describe The Marvels before its disastrous release.
Silver Surfer from Fantastic Four First Steps (2025); Screenshot
Not all reactions were negative, however. Sneider did say that Ralph Ineson’s portrayal of Galactus seemed to go over well with audiences, calling that a “promising” sign. The appearance of Galactus apparently lifts the film in its latter half, a sentiment echoed by well-known test screening insider @ViewerAnon.
General reaction I’m hearing is “Okay,” but it’s not a big sample size. A couple people have said the first act’s shaky but it gets better once Galactus shows up.
— ViewerAnon (@ViewerAnon) May 29, 2025
ViewerAnon described the overall response as “‘okay,’ but not a big sample size,” adding that “a couple people have said the first act’s shaky but it gets better once Galactus shows up.” They also noted that the version screened was “very unfinished,” with only about 25% of VFX completed—something that could certainly skew audience reactions.
Galactus in Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
While the film isn’t eliciting the kind of extreme reactions being reported from Superman test screenings, the fact that Marvel felt the need to hold a public test run suggests some internal anxiety. The studio hasn’t had a runaway hit since Deadpool & Wolverine, and with Bob Iger reportedly disappointed in the 2026 release slate, The Fantastic Four was expected to anchor the brand moving forward alongside the upcoming X-Men reboot.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
Do you believe these reports from Fantastic Four test screenings? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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