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It’s time to get to know Marvel’s First Family. Since their debut in 1961, the Fantastic Four have been one of the most important cornerstones of the Marvel Universe. Fans have spent decades thrilling to the exploits of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. They’re scientists, they’re explorers, they’re heroes, but most importantly, they’re family. 

The FF are gearing up to make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters in 2025, introducing a new generation of fans to Marvel’s First Family. Of course, this won’t be the FF’s first movie. If you’re looking to catch up on the FF’s media history before First Steps is released, Popverse has you covered! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about watching the Fantastic Four in release and chronological order. 

 

How to watch Fantastic Four in release order

Are you ready to begin your Fantastic Four television and film journey? If you’re looking to watch the FF in release order, simply follow this list. Please note, that this list only covers live-action appearances from the FF and cartoons that the group has headlined. This guide has a separate section for animated guest appearances. 

• The Fantastic Four (20-episode animated series, 1967-1968)
• The Fantastic Four/The New Fantastic Four (13-episode animated series, 1978)
• Fred and Barney Meet the Thing (13-episode animated series, 1979)*
• The Fantastic Four (unreleased 1994 film)
• Fantastic Four/Fantastic Four: The Animated Series (26-episode animated series, 1994-1996)
• Fantastic Four (2005 theatrical film)
• Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes (26-episode animated series, 2006-2010)
• Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007 theatrical film)
• Fantastic Four/FANT4STIC (2015 theatrical film)
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022 theatrical film)**
• Deadpool & Wolverine (2024 theatrical film)***
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025 theatrical film) 
• Avengers: Doomsday (2026 theatrical film)
• Avengers: Secret Wars (2027 theatrical film)

*Despite what the title says, Fred and Barney never actually meet the Thing.

**Extended Mr. Fantastic cameo  

***Extended Human Torch cameo 

How to watch Fantastic Four in chronological order

 

Not every Fantastic Four film or television series occurs in the same universe. If you want to go by chronological order but aren’t sure which projects are connected, this guide section should clear things up. 

Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four

The first live-action version of the Fantastic Four. The film was never officially released, but it has made its way onto YouTube and the bootleg market. For more on the history behind this film, scroll down to the Roger Corman section of this guide. 

• The Fantastic Four (unreleased 1994 film)

 

Tim Story’s Fantastic Four

In 2005 20th Century Fox released Fantastic Four. The studio hoped to capitalize on the recent success of superhero films such as Spider-Man and X-Men. Tim Story directed the film and the 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer. The sequel underperformed, bringing the franchise to a halt. 

However, Chris Evans’ version of Johnny Storm did make a guest appearance in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine. Johnny reveals that he and FF were sent into a realm called the Void. It’s implied that Johnny is the last surviving member of his team.  

• Fantastic Four (2005 theatrical film)
• Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007 theatrical film)
• Deadpool & Wolverine (2024 theatrical film)

 

Josh Trank’s Fant4stic Four 

In 2015 20th Century Fox rebooted the Fantastic Four franchise. The Josh Trank film was a critical and commercial failure, halting any plans for a sequel. Within a few years, Disney would buy 20th Century Fox, putting the Fantastic Four’s film rights under Marvel’s control. 

• Fantastic Four/FANT4STIC (2015 theatrical film)

 

The Krasinski-verse

The 2022 film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness contains a brief diversion into another reality. This reality features Marvel’s Illuminati, including Mr. Fantastic. The role of Mr. Fantastic is played by John Krasinski. Reed Richards is quickly killed by the Scarlet Witch. Although this is an MCU film, the reality where Krasinski is Mr. Fantastic is an alternate timeline that isn’t a part of the main MCU storyline. In other words, don’t expect to see Krasinski’s version of Reed in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. 

• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022 theatrical film)

 

Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four

This follows the FF team that will be introduced in the 2025 film Fantastic Four: First Steps. In other words, this is the MCU’s Fantastic Four. The team will also be seen in the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. 

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025 theatrical film) 
• Avengers: Doomsday (2026 theatrical film)
• Avengers: Secret Wars (2027 theatrical film)

 

Cartoons set in their continuity 

The rest of these are animated series that are set in their continuity. None of these cartoons have any connections to the films or to each other. While Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes does take some elements from the 2005 Tim Story film, it is set in its universe. 

• The Fantastic Four (20-episode animated series, 1967-1968)
• The Fantastic Four/The New Fantastic Four (13-episode animated series, 1978)
• Fred and Barney Meet the Thing (13-episode animated series, 1979)
• Fantastic Four/Fantastic Four: The Animated Series (26-episode animated series, 1994-1996)
• Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes (26-episode animated series, 2006-2010)

Where else have the Fantastic Four appeared?

The Fantastic Four have also appeared in a variety of other Marvel Universe cartoons. Most of these are extended guest cameo appearances, so we’ve left them off the main watch order. However, if you’re looking to watch EVERY appearance of the Fantastic Four, here are the other Marvel productions they’ve shown up in. 

• The Incredible Hulk - The Fantastic Four appear in the 1996 episode “Fantastic Fortitude.”
• Spider-Man: The Animated Series - The Fantastic Four appear in the 1997 Secret Wars three-parter. 
• The Super Hero Squad Show - Members of the Fantastic Four have shown up in various episodes of this animated series. 
• The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes - The Fantastic Four make extended appearances throughout this animated series. 
• Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. - The Fantastic Four appear in the episode “Monster No More.”
• X-Men ‘97 - The character Morph briefly shapeshifts into Mr. Fantastic in the episode “Tolerance is Extinction Part III.”

Is Fantastic Four in the MCU?

This is a very complicated question and the answer depends on what your definition of the MCU is. 

The short answer is yes, the Fantastic Four are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be an official Marvel Studios production. However, the film might not take place in the MCU’s Sacred Timeline, aka Earth-616. There have been rumors that the movie will take place in another reality. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige hinted that this was the case during a recent podcast interview. In other words, it won’t be set in the same reality where the Avengers fought Thanos. 

However, the film will take place in one of the other realities within the MCU’s multiverse. In addition, the FF will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. So yes, they’re in the MCU. 

If you’re asking about other film versions of the team, such as Tim Story’s FF….that is also a bit complicated. Story’s Fantastic Four films were produced by 20th Century Fox before Marvel Studios kicked off the MCU. Those movies are not officially part of the MCU, but they do exist in the MCU multiverse, as seen in Deadpool & Wolverine. Chris Evans, who played Johnny Storm in Story’s FF films, reprised his role for Deadpool & Wolverine. Since Evans also played Captain America in the MCU, this cameo led to a bit of fourth wall breaking fun

And of course, there’s also John Krasinski’s cameo as Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Once again, this was another reality, but it is a part of the MCU. 

 

What’s the deal with Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four film?  

During the early 90s Constantin Films was faced with a dilemma - begin production on a Fantastic Four movie by the end of 1992, or lose the film rights. Unfortunately, Constantin Films didn’t have the money to shoot a big-budget FF film, so they opted to do a low-budget version. The production company partnered with producer Roger Corman, who is well-known for producing successful low-budget films. 

Once filming was complete, Marvel became concerned. Marvel executive Avi Arad didn’t want the movie to cheapen the franchise and hurt Marvel’s reputation, so he bought the film and ordered the negatives destroyed. Despite this, the film did get one public screening in May 1994, and the complete movie has made its way to the bootleg market. 

There is an urban myth that the film was never intended to be released and it was only filmed to keep the rights. While production of the film did begin so Constantin Films could keep the rights, it was always intended for release until Marvel vetoed the idea. For more on the complicated history of Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four, check out the 2015 documentary Doomed!: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four. 

 

Where can I watch Fantastic Four? 

If you’re beginning a Fantastic Four watch order, Disney+ is essential. The streaming service is home to Tim Story’s Fantastic Four films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Deadpool & Wolverine, Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Super Heroes, and the 1994 Fantastic Four cartoon. 

If you’re looking to watch Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, the film is currently streaming on Max. However, this may change as streaming licenses expire. 

Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four isn’t available on any streaming services, but it has been uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, and various other video platforms. 

Now you have everything you need to begin your Fantastic Four viewing journey! Let the clobberin’ commence! 

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