The highly anticipated Fantastic Four: First Steps premiered on Disney+ with a shocking result. After grossing $521.9 million globally in theaters, the film only managed to capture 4.9 million Equivalent Completed Views (CVEs) in its first five days on the platform. This marks the lowest streaming debut for any MCU theatrical release on Disney+.
How could Marvel’s once-unshakable streaming dominance be unraveling so quickly?
The Streaming Squeeze Tightens
The issues aren’t isolated to just one film. Across 2025, no MCU theatrical release reached the top 10 in the global box office.
Even worse, Disney+ viewership for new Marvel films has seen a sharp decline. The industry is questioning whether Marvel’s streaming power has started to fade, with signs of audience fatigue and fragmentation across platforms.
The Disney+ Era Begins
When Disney+ launched in November 2019, streaming Marvel films was a game-changer. Films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shattered expectations, generating 14.1 million Complete Viewings Equivalent (CVEs) in its first five days.
By 2025, this achievement had become the new benchmark. Now, the cracks in the strategy are beginning to show.
A Steady Decline Takes Shape
Nielsen’s data paints a concerning picture. Eternals earned 9.2 million CVEs in 2022, while The Marvels plummeted to 5.3 million in 2024.
By mid-2025, even Thunderbolts barely managed 5.5 million CVEs. As streaming debuts soften, the industry is left wondering just how far this decline will go.
The Worst Debut in MCU History
November 5, 2025, was a day Marvel hoped would mark a new chapter. Instead, The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned a shocking 4.9 million CVEs—Marvel’s lowest streaming debut to date. Even Black Widow, which launched during the pandemic, performed better.
This massive underperformance sends a clear message that Marvel’s streaming supremacy is under threat.
What Went Wrong: The Theater-to-Couch Gap
Despite an 86% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore, Fantastic Four: First Steps failed to capture audiences on Disney+. The film’s strong theater performance did not translate into streaming success.
Was it fatigue with the MCU’s formula, or did viewers prefer other content on rival platforms?
Subscriber Fatigue on Full Display
The oversaturation of Marvel content in 2025—three major releases in a short period—has led to concerns about audience burnout. Viewers, already juggling multiple platforms like Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime, are overwhelmed by choice.
With subscription fatigue rising, Fantastic Four’s underwhelming debut is a troubling sign.
Competitors Capitalize on Marvel’s Stumble
Rival streaming platforms are seizing the opportunity. Netflix is investing heavily in superhero content, with hits like Daredevil: Born Again and new Spider-Man projects.
Max’s Superman: Legacy and Amazon Prime’s growing superhero catalog are also vying for the attention Marvel once commanded.
The Window Problem: Theatrical vs. Streaming Cannibalization
Marvel’s strategy of releasing films in theaters first, followed by streaming on Disney+ within 45-90 days, may be hurting the brand’s streaming engagement.
The rapid transition means audiences who saw the film in theaters are less likely to rewatch it at home, especially when rival platforms are offering fresh content.
The Black Widow Paradox Reexamined
At the height of the pandemic, Black Widow debuted with a $29.99 premium rental on Disney+. Despite its underwhelming 5.1 million CVEs, this figure now seems impressive when compared to Fantastic Four’s disappointing result.
This paradox highlights how even a premium model can outperform a free-tier debut.
Kevin Feige Under Pressure
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is facing increasing pressure from Disney’s board.
While his 2024 strategy to prioritize theatrical releases over Disney+ content aimed to revitalize the MCU, Fantastic Four’s streaming failure suggests this approach may have been flawed, making audiences view theatrical and streaming experiences as separate.
Leadership Tensions Over Franchise Direction
At Disney, there is growing internal debate over the future of the MCU. Some executives want a creative overhaul to refresh the brand, while others believe the existing model needs tweaks to regain audience engagement.
The failure of Fantastic Four underscores the need for urgent action.
2026 Slate: All-In on Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel is pinning its hopes on Avengers: Doomsday, set to release on December 18, 2026. The film reunites A-list stars and introduces Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, with the goal of rejuvenating the MCU.
But if Fantastic Four can’t succeed, can Doomsday break the streaming curse?
Can Doomsday Break the Curse?
Skeptics question whether Avengers: Doomsday will be enough to reverse Marvel’s streaming struggles. While characters with emotional resonance, like Black Panther, drove success, Fantastic Four lacked that deep connection.
The stakes are high, and Marvel must hope that fan loyalty can reignite streaming interest.
The Billion-Dollar Question: What’s Next?
Marvel now faces a critical crossroads: does the MCU need a creative overhaul, longer streaming windows, or a new release strategy altogether?
With Fantastic Four’s flop, some suggest a shift toward direct-to-Disney+ releases for mid-tier films, while others advocate for theatrical exclusivity.
The Superhero Genre Reckoning
Superhero fatigue is a real concern as Hollywood grapples with oversaturation.
With more than 15 superhero films released annually, audiences are becoming selective, choosing what to watch based on recommendations and social media buzz. As a result, Marvel’s traditional theatrical dominance is at risk.
International Ripple: Global Streaming Fragmentation
The Fantastic Four’s poor performance extends beyond the U.S. International audiences, where Disney+ faces stronger competition and piracy, have also shown limited interest in the MCU’s streaming offerings.
Disney’s strategy of simultaneous global releases is faltering in key markets, affecting their international streaming performance.
The Legal & Financial Fallout
Marvel’s underperformance on Disney+ could lead to legal and financial consequences. Contracts tied to streaming viewership could be impacted, potentially sparking disputes over talent payments and backend profit-sharing.
The fallout from Fantastic Four’s failure may trigger industry-wide shifts.
Cultural Shift: The End of Superhero Orthodoxy
Fantastic Four signals a shift in cultural taste. Gen Z and younger millennials are less inclined to view superhero films as cultural touchstones, favoring diverse and innovative storytelling instead.
As superhero films lose their cultural grip, Marvel’s uniformity risks leaving audiences cold.
The Broader Reckoning
The failure of Fantastic Four to succeed both in theaters and on Disney+ marks a turning point. Marvel must confront the harsh realities of franchise fatigue, streaming competition, and audience disinterest.
The question remains: can the MCU evolve fast enough to adapt, or has its cultural dominance come to an end?
Sources:
Collider – “The Fantastic Four: First Steps Sets a Very Unfortunate MCU Record on Streaming” (December 10, 2025)
SuperHeroHype – “Fantastic Four Records Worst Disney+ Debut in MCU History” (December 9, 2025)
ComicBook.com – “Fantastic Four: First Steps Sets Unwanted MCU Record in Disney+ Debut” (December 9, 2025)