That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023’s “The Marvels,” this spring’s fourth “Captain America” movie and “Thunderbolts*” all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new “Fantastic Four” may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises.

The dust has yet to settle on Marvel’s latest MCU entry, but Fantastic Four: First Steps is off to a strong start this weekend. In terms of critical reception, it’s doing about the same as James Gunn’s Superman, at least as far as Rotten Tomatoes is concerned.

Summer's two biggest superhero films pick up long after their central figures have already taken up their respective mantles. They (and the genre) are better for it.

First Steps", directed by Matt Shakman, blasted off with a $57 million opening day in North America on July 25, setting the stage for a $120-125 milli

Ralph Ineson, whose gigantic stature and booming voice can be found in Fantastic Four this week, co-starred alongside Nicholas Hoult, aka Superman's Lex Luther, in last year's Robert Eggers-directed Nosferatu remake. And now, the pair have bonded further, as each currently serve as the main antagonist in this year's comic book movie tentpoles.

We've got two top-notch comic-book movies in theaters: "Superman" and a new "Fantastic Four." How do they rank among the best superhero movies ever?

This success is no small feat, as previous iterations of the Fantastic Four never caught fire with fans or critics. The 2005 and 2007 Fox films were financially adequate but critically derided, and the 2015 reboot was widely panned,

Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult in Superman, and Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson in Fantastic Four: First Steps, each delivered strong performances in their respective roles.

Though there's very little in it, Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps is ahead of DC's Superman on Rotten Tomatoes, while James Gunn's DCU reboot has taken the lead on