Marvel Studios’ latest cinematic release, Fantastic Four: First Steps, is facing a challenging second weekend at the domestic box office. Although the superhero reboot has managed to hold onto the No. 1 position, its earnings have taken a massive 80% nosedive from its opening weekend, signaling a significant drop in momentum.
On its second Friday in theaters, Fantastic Four grossed $11.7 million, a sharp decline from its strong opening performance of $118 million the previous weekend. The dramatic fall could derail hopes of a healthy box office run. Industry insiders had projected a second-weekend domestic gross between $45 million and $52 million, but current trends suggest the film might fall short of even the lower end of that range.
Despite the setback, the film’s cumulative domestic total has reached $170 million, and it could still end the weekend with about $198 million in total North American earnings. However, with a hefty production budget exceeding $200 million, these figures are raising concerns for Marvel and parent company Disney. Without a strong international showing or robust long-tail performance in later weeks, Fantastic Four might struggle to break even, let alone become profitable.
The film stars a new ensemble cast: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing), and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch). This reboot is a key attempt by Marvel to reset the Fantastic Four narrative within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), especially after prior box office underperformers like The Eternals (2021), The Marvels (2023), and the recent Thunderbolts (May 2025).
While the film initially drew positive interest and large crowds from comic book enthusiasts, the second-weekend drop-off suggests it has not been able to maintain buzz or expand its reach beyond die-hard Marvel fans. Analysts point to franchise fatigue, mixed reviews, and weak word-of-mouth as possible culprits.
‘The Bad Guys 2’ Opens Strong with a $9.1 Million Friday
Coming in second place is The Bad Guys 2, the animated sequel from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation. The film earned an impressive $9.1 million on its opening Friday from a wide release across 3,852 North American theaters.
Projected to close the weekend with approximately $22 million, The Bad Guys 2 is on track to perform well against its $80 million production budget. This sequel builds on the success of the original The Bad Guys (2022), which became a surprise hit for DreamWorks, grossing over $250 million globally on a modest budget.
The sequel reunites the original voice cast including Sam Rockwell (Mr. Wolf), Marc Maron (Mr. Snake), Craig Robinson (Mr. Shark), and Anthony Ramos (Mr. Piranha), along with new cast additions. The plot revolves around the crew of charming criminals coming out of retirement for one final heist, promising a blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. With a family-friendly appeal and strong brand recognition, the film is expected to perform well during the rest of August, especially as schools begin reopening and competition thins out.
‘The Naked Gun’ Reboot Locks Up $6.3 Million on Opening Day
Paramount Pictures’ comedic reboot The Naked Gun launched with $6.3 million on Friday from 3,344 theaters, securing third place at the domestic box office. With a projected weekend total of $16.5 million, the film is performing solidly, particularly considering the rarity of theatrical comedies in recent years.
This reimagined version of the iconic police spoof franchise stars Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Jr., son of the original bumbling hero made famous by Leslie Nielsen. The movie follows Drebin Jr. as he investigates a bizarre murder in a bid to save the Police Squad from being permanently shut down.
The supporting cast includes:
- Pamela Anderson
- Paul Walter Hauser
- CCH Pounder
- Kevin Durand
Directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and co-written with Doug Mand and Dan Gregor, the film runs a brisk 85 minutes, emphasizing quick pacing and slapstick humor. Paramount invested approximately $42 million into the film, which seeks to revive the legacy of the Naked Gun trilogy that began in 1988 and became a cult comedy staple.
The original Naked Gun, itself a spinoff of the short-lived 1982 TV series Police Squad!, spawned sequels including The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). This reboot leans into that legacy while offering a more modern comedic sensibility.
‘Together’ Opens Quietly, Targets Niche Horror Audience
Landing in sixth place is Together, a body-horror thriller released by indie distributor Neon. The film earned $2.1 million on Friday from 2,302 screens and is projected to close out its opening five-day frame with $7.5 million to $10 million.
Directed by Brandon Cronenberg, known for pushing the limits of sci-fi horror (and son of David Cronenberg), the film stars Alison Brie and Dave Franco, who are married in real life. Together centers on a fractured couple whose relationship is tested when they encounter a strange entity that physically fuses them together in grotesque and emotionally harrowing ways.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and generated buzz for its disturbing visuals and metaphorical take on toxic relationships. Neon acquired U.S. distribution rights for $17 million, making it one of the indie studio’s larger acquisitions of 2025.
While its performance so far is modest, the film is expected to perform steadily in select theaters and on streaming due to its arthouse appeal and cult director pedigree.
DC’s ‘Superman’ Stays Solid in Fourth Place
James Gunn’s Superman, part of the new DC Studios cinematic relaunch, remains a box office success. The film added $4 million on Friday, bringing its domestic total to $306 million. By Sunday, it’s expected to surpass $316 million.
Critically acclaimed for balancing fresh character development with DC’s traditional mythos, Superman has become one of the biggest domestic hits of the summer. While Warner Bros. has not disclosed the full production budget, estimates place it between $180 million and $200 million. With international earnings also strong, the film is already seen as a win for James Gunn’s newly envisioned DCU.
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Still Roaring in Fifth Spot
Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest installment in the dinosaur franchise, took fifth place with $2.4 million on Friday. The film, which has now grossed $317 million domestically, is considered a solid success and continues to attract audiences in its fourth weekend.
The soft reboot stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, and introduces a new generation of scientists, adventurers, and threats in a post-dinosaur-resurgence world. While not as groundbreaking as the original 1993 Jurassic Park, the film has been praised for refreshing the franchise’s direction and making room for future sequels.
Complete Box Office Summary – Friday and Weekend Projections
| Rank | Film | Friday Gross | Weekend Projection | Production Budget |
| 1 | Fantastic Four: First Steps | $11.7M | $45M–$52M | $200M+ |
| 2 | The Bad Guys 2 | $9.1M | $22M | $80M |
| 3 | The Naked Gun | $6.3M | $16.5M | $42M |
| 4 | Superman | $4M | $316M+ (domestic) | $180–200M est. |
| 5 | Jurassic World Rebirth | $2.4M | $317M (domestic total) | Not Disclosed |
| 6 | Together | $2.1M | $7.5M–$10M (5-day) | $17M |
The weekend box office continues to show the unpredictable nature of post-pandemic cinema. Fantastic Four opened with promise but is now facing the same hurdles as recent Marvel entries. Meanwhile, The Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun prove that sequels and reboots—if timed and executed well—can still connect with audiences.
The coming weeks will determine whether Fantastic Four can recover, or if it will be another cautionary tale in the superhero fatigue narrative.
The Information is Collected from IMDb and Yahoo.
