After a few attempts at bringing the Fantastic Four to the big screen, Marvel has another one on the horizon but which is the best of the Fantastic Four movies?
In 1961, Marvel Comics released the Fantastic Four. The First Family of Comics. The book arguably saved Marvel and set the pace for what we know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, they have yet to find a home in the cinematic world of the Marvel Universe.
The dysfunctional but loving family has gone through three incarnations and four films on the silver screen, none of which have really captured the essence of the Four, and we can only hope going forward since they are back at Marvel, that will change.
They have been subjugated to being used as pawns in a rights issue, made by a major studio with middling results, and handled by someone who had no idea what they were doing. However, they have still managed to survive it all.
So without any further adieu, let’s rank the Fantastic Four movies from worst to best!
4. Fantastic Four (2015)
When the news came down that Josh Trank, the guy who brought us the critically acclaimed CHRONICLE, would be in charge of the new Fantastic Four movie a lot of people celebrated. Finally, Marvel’s First Family would be done right. After all, CHRONICLE was an amazing superhero movie even if it wasn’t based on existing intellectual property.
Oh, how wrong we all were.
After the initial outcry about Michael B. Jordan playing Johnny Storm died down, the film finally came out. For me, a good film is all about the story. The film could be shot on a Mini-DV camera so long as the story is compelling and interesting. This film was interesting for all the wrong reasons.
First and foremost, it was two films. It was a dark and gritty Nolan-esque superhero movie until almost on a dime it tried to become a Marvel-esque superhero movie with a full-on horrible wig on Kate Mera’s head for reshoots that did nothing to help the film.
As someone who writes about movies and comics, I try so hard to find positive aspects about everything. Too bad there wasn’t any of that in this film. It even showed at the box office, not even making its money back. I could go on, but there are three more movies to cover.
3. Fantastic Four (1994)
While technically unreleased, you would be hard-pressed to not be able to find a way to watch this version of the Fantastic Four. Either online, at a convention, or even though mail order Blu-ray.
Made for about a million dollars, the effects suffered for it and it came off as very cheesy. The acting isn’t horrible but you can tell that some of it is rather phoned-in or in some cases over the top. The one thing that this version has over the one that was unleashed in 2015 is that this has heart. It feels like it came straight from the pages of the comic book.
However, that is also some of the downfalls. As you watch you start to realize that you have seen this so many times before. Some of the costumes don’t seem to be made with any kind of care at all. The 4 on some of their chests seem to be tucked into their pants, and Ben Grimm is taller than The Thing. Because that makes sense.
The film was oftentimes panned by Fantastic Four co-creator Stan Lee, despite many cast members saying that Lee was on set almost every day, even bringing them donuts! When you boil it down though, it was the little things that put this version at this point in the list.
2. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
When a film makes $330 million at the box office you can almost bank on the fact that there will be a sequel coming very, very soon. That’s exactly what happened with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
The Four have become mainstays in New York in this film as Reed and Sue try to get married. As things often go in comics, plans go awry. The Silver Surfer, herald of the mighty Galactus, shows up on Earth to prepare it for the coming of his master, the Eater of Worlds. That is where the film takes a nose-dive.
Having the Fantastic Four face Doom in the first film makes sense but moving right onto Galactus is a big step that they really missed. The fact that they are using him and not someone like The Mole Man isn’t even the biggest issue. The presentation of the great devourer was almost downright offensive.
The biggest issue with the movie is that they didn’t need to bring Doom back in for this one. While I understand that he is the Four’s greatest rival, he doesn’t need to be around for every single story. The film was only able to make about its budget back and that’s why the franchise took the hit it ended up taking.
1. Fantastic Four (2005)
Before the film came out, the comic book community was hoping we could get an official big-screen adaptation of Marvel’s First Family. Well, one that was going even be released. As discussed previously the 1994 version was only made so the rights could be kept, not to make any kind of impact or even money. So to a lot of people, this is the first big-screen adaptation of The Fantastic Four.
Although there were some questionable choices in casting, it didn’t turn out that bad! Of course, there were issues with certain parts of the story.
Victor Von Doom being with them when the accident happened that caused them to become who they are, and Sue being Reed’s ex were major misses. It felt like it was tacked on to add a little bit more sexual tension between two people that have been married in the Marvel Universe since Fantastic Four Annual #3 which came out way back in 1965.
When it comes down to it, this is only number one because it didn’t have as many flaws as the other three. At this point, the comic book community deserves a good – scratch that – a GREAT Fantastic Four movie. One that showcases the adventures that the family goes on while trying to maintain some kind of grip on a normal life. A Fantastic Four movie we can all be proud of.