The Fantastic Four! Guys, we all know them, right? The stretchy guy, the invisible woman, the human torch, and the thing! Such a popular and iconic superhero team, but how many times have they actually graced the silver screen? Let's dive into the cinematic history of Marvel's first family and explore each movie, and provide you a comprehensive overview of the Fantastic Four filmography.

The Unofficial Start: The Fantastic Four (1994)

Okay, let's kick things off with a bit of a weird one. Back in 1994, before superhero movies were the mega-blockbusters they are today, a Fantastic Four movie was actually made. But here's the catch: it was never officially released. This low-budget flick, produced by Bernd Eichinger and directed by Oley Sassone, was primarily created so Eichinger could retain the film rights to the Fantastic Four. It's got all the main players – Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing – battling Doctor Doom. The special effects? Well, let's just say they're charmingly bad by today's standards. This film is shrouded in mystery and has gained a cult following over the years due to its obscure nature and the circumstances surrounding its production. While it wasn't intended for public viewing, bootleg copies have circulated, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of superhero filmmaking. The cast included Alex Hyde-White as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Rebecca Staab as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Jay Underwood as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Michael Bailey Smith (replaced by Carl Ciarfalio in the Thing suit) as Ben Grimm/The Thing, with Joseph Culp playing Doctor Doom. The story loosely adapts the origins of the Fantastic Four and their initial encounters with Doctor Doom. The film's production was rushed and faced numerous challenges, including budget constraints and creative disagreements. Despite its flaws, The Fantastic Four (1994) remains a curiosity for comic book fans, representing an early attempt to bring Marvel's first family to the big screen, even if it was never officially released.

Fantastic Four (2005): A Promising Start

Fast forward to 2005, and we got a Fantastic Four movie with a decent budget and some recognizable faces. Directed by Tim Story, this film aimed for a lighter, more family-friendly tone. Ioan Gruffudd played Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Jessica Alba was Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Chris Evans (yes, Captain America himself!) played Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Michael Chiklis suited up as Ben Grimm (The Thing). The story is pretty straightforward: the team gets their powers during a space mission gone wrong and has to learn to work together to stop Doctor Doom, played by Julian McMahon. This movie was a moderate success at the box office. Some people liked it for its fun, comic book-style action, while others found it a bit cheesy and lacking in depth. Nevertheless, it paved the way for a sequel. The casting choices were generally well-received, with each actor bringing their own charm to their respective roles. Chris Evans, in particular, stood out with his portrayal of the hot-headed and impulsive Johnny Storm, showcasing the charisma that would later make him a perfect Captain America. Jessica Alba's Sue Storm, while visually appealing, received some criticism for not fully capturing the character's intelligence and strength from the comics. Ioan Gruffudd's Reed Richards was seen as a bit bland, lacking the scientific genius and leadership qualities that define the character. Michael Chiklis, however, was widely praised for his performance as Ben Grimm/The Thing, effectively conveying the character's inner turmoil and physical presence. Julian McMahon's Doctor Doom was a mixed bag, with some viewers finding his portrayal too generic and lacking the depth of the comic book villain. Overall, Fantastic Four (2005) was a decent attempt to bring the superhero team to the big screen, but it ultimately fell short of capturing the magic and complexity of the source material.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007): Silver and...Surfing?

Two years later, in 2007, the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer hit theaters. The original cast returned, and this time, the Fantastic Four faced a cosmic threat in the form of the Silver Surfer, a herald of Galactus, a planet-eating entity. The movie tried to up the stakes with bigger action sequences and a more serious tone, but it still suffered from some of the same issues as the first film – namely, a lack of depth and some questionable writing choices. Doug Jones physically performed as the Silver Surfer, while Laurence Fishburne provided the voice. While the Silver Surfer was visually impressive, the plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, failing to fully explore the potential of the cosmic storyline. The movie also introduced Galactus in a controversial manner, depicted as a giant cosmic cloud rather than his traditional humanoid form from the comics, which disappointed many fans. Rise of the Silver Surfer attempted to delve deeper into the personal relationships of the Fantastic Four, particularly the impending marriage of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, but these moments often felt forced and overshadowed by the larger-scale action. The film also suffered from inconsistencies in character development, with some characters acting out of character to serve the plot. Despite its flaws, Rise of the Silver Surfer offered some entertaining moments, particularly the visual effects and action sequences involving the Silver Surfer. However, the movie ultimately failed to live up to its potential, leaving audiences wanting more from the Fantastic Four franchise. With mixed reviews and declining box office returns, the future of the series was uncertain, leading to a reboot several years later. Ultimately, the sequel did not fare as well as the first film, and plans for a third movie were scrapped. Despite its flaws, it remains a part of the Fantastic Four's cinematic journey.

Fantastic Four (2015): A Darker Reboot

Then came 2015, and Fox decided to reboot the franchise with a darker, grittier take on the Fantastic Four. Directed by Josh Trank, this movie featured a younger cast: Miles Teller as Reed Richards, Kate Mara as Sue Storm, Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm, and Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm. The idea was to ground the characters in a more realistic setting and explore the science fiction elements of their origin story. Sadly, this movie was plagued by production issues, and the final result was a critical and commercial disaster. Many felt that the film strayed too far from the source material, and the darker tone didn't resonate with audiences. The special effects were also criticized, and the overall story felt disjointed and incomplete. The casting choices, while talented, didn't quite gel, and the chemistry between the actors was lacking. Miles Teller's Reed Richards was seen as too brooding and lacked the charisma of the character. Kate Mara's Sue Storm was underutilized and didn't have enough agency in the story. Michael B. Jordan's Johnny Storm, while a strong performance, faced unnecessary controversy due to the character's race being changed from the comics. Jamie Bell's Ben Grimm was one of the few bright spots, but his character was ultimately overshadowed by the film's flaws. The plot of Fantastic Four (2015) focused on the team's origins, with the characters gaining their powers after an experiment gone wrong. However, the movie failed to effectively explore the consequences of these powers and the challenges the team faced in learning to control them. The villain, Doctor Doom, was also poorly developed and lacked the menace and complexity of the comic book character. Ultimately, Fantastic Four (2015) was a misfire that failed to capture the essence of the Fantastic Four and left audiences disappointed. With its poor reception, the future of the franchise was once again in doubt.

Fantastic Four (2025): Hope for the Future

Finally, guys, we have hope on the horizon! In 2019, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, bringing the Fantastic Four rights back to Marvel Studios. Marvel Studios is currently developing a new Fantastic Four movie set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), slated for release in 2025. This is huge news because it means the Fantastic Four will finally get the chance to shine under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the creative minds at Marvel Studios, who have a proven track record of delivering high-quality superhero films. While the cast and director have been revealed, anticipation is building for what this new iteration will bring. Fans are hoping for a faithful adaptation of the source material, with compelling characters, thrilling action, and a story that fits seamlessly into the larger MCU narrative. The inclusion of the Fantastic Four into the MCU opens up a world of possibilities, allowing for crossovers with other popular characters and storylines. This could lead to exciting team-ups and epic battles that fans have been dreaming of for years. The new Fantastic Four movie is expected to explore the team's origins and their unique dynamic as a family of adventurers and scientists. It will also likely introduce iconic villains like Doctor Doom and Galactus, who have yet to be fully realized on the big screen. With Marvel Studios at the helm, the future of the Fantastic Four looks brighter than ever. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the new movie, hoping that it will finally do justice to Marvel's first family and cement their place in the MCU.

So, How Many Fantastic Four Movies Are There?

Let's recap, shall we?

• The Fantastic Four (1994) - Unreleased
• Fantastic Four (2005)
• Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
• Fantastic Four (2015)
• Fantastic Four (2025) - Upcoming

So, technically, there are four released Fantastic Four movies, with a fifth one on the way! While the journey has been bumpy, with some real low points, the future looks promising with Marvel Studios now in charge. Fingers crossed that the 2025 movie will finally give us the Fantastic Four movie we've always wanted! Stay tuned for more updates, and get ready for a fantastic adventure!