This is a strictly by-the-numbers superhero blockbuster.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 30, 2025

A couple of strong casting choices, a simple and complete origin story paced well, and a feeling of exuberance keep the first take on the Fantastic Four a notch above the rest.

Full Review | Original Score: 71/100 | Jul 29, 2025

Fantastic Four delivers whimsical banter and a sincere exploration of the relationships within a Found Family forged by extraordinary circumstances. Moreover, the late great Julian McMahon’s performance further elevates the film’s dramatic calibre.

Full Review | Jul 24, 2025

Not as bad as you remember, thanks to some spirited performances, strong casting, a couple of cool sequences, and a vibe of campy fun.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2021

Though definitely not one of the best comic book concepts to end up on film, it still has heart and quite a bit of entertainment value.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Sep 29, 2020

Fox was never able to give the Fantastic Four the justice they deserve.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 8, 2020

Fantastic Four suffers from being a film that can't decide whether it wants to cater to kids or adults, failing on both levels.

Full Review | Nov 19, 2019

The kids will probably enjoy it, but you'll be left cold by its brash, blasé emptiness.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 25, 2019

A strictly-for-the-kiddies, enjoy-it-in-the-moment, forget-it-when-it's-over popcorn flick. What makes it such a disappointment is that "The World's Greatest Comics Magazine" deserved better.

Full Review | Nov 2, 2018

Aided by largely credible special effects, the four stars of Fantastic Four manage to make their movie worth seeing and give us reason to be optimistic for a more cohesive sequel.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 6, 2018

Fantastic Four is anything but, and should serve as an indication that maybe its time to put the brakes on the current avalanche of comic book adaptations.

Full Review | Aug 9, 2017

Lee and Kirby built Marvel Comics on the foundation of the FF and it's no stretch to say this franchise could still be going strong a decade later with a better opening act.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Aug 3, 2015

Fantastic Four is terribly miscast. It's poorly written, visually uninteresting, and worst of all, boring. The film drags considerably. There are huge gaps without any action and it brings the pacing to an unbearable crawl.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 26, 2011

Fantastic Four is actually very true to its source material - often literally so - but generally misses the spirit entirely.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Mar 22, 2011

Some comics just shouldn't be turned in to movies...

Full Review | Apr 29, 2009

Director Tim Story ("Barbershop") sets an uneven tempo for the embarrassingly clunky script by Michael France ("Hulk") and Mark Frost ("Storyville").

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Apr 16, 2009

The film is made in the internet equivalent of capital letters and its simplistic morality stands out on the big screen more so than on the small page.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2008

An opportunity squandered by Marvel, which really needs to watch its quality control more closely.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 14, 2008

Four-play without any climax.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 13, 2008

The film is affable enough, though nothing much seems to be at stake.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Feb 3, 2008