21 Years Later, This Beloved Film With a 97% RT Score Is Still Secretly the Best Fantastic Four Movie

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As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always felt Fantastic Four has a bit of a shaky record when it comes to film adaptations. But things *really* turned around with one surprisingly good movie – a hidden gem, honestly. It’s become even more well-regarded, especially when you compare it to Marvel Studios‘ first, and successful, try at bringing the First Family into the MCU. I mean, that first attempt was decent, but this one… it’s on another level. It’s a secret Fantastic Four movie that’s become universally loved!

As a big fan, I’m really encouraged by how well the latest Fantastic Four movie has been received! It feels like this could mean really good things for the team going forward. I’m hoping future Fantastic Four appearances will take note of what worked here and maybe even follow a similar approach. They could also definitely benefit from looking at other successful adaptations for inspiration.

The Incredibles Is Secretly The Best-Rated Fantastic Four Movie

This section focuses on the family at the heart of First Family. While Pixar is known for consistently making excellent films – particularly around the 2004 release of The Incredibles – that movie remains incredibly well-regarded. It currently holds a fantastic 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a score that no film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has ever matched or surpassed, with the highest MCU score being 96%.

The Incredibles received a lot of positive attention for many good reasons. Reviewers especially liked the movie’s clever writing, characters that were easy to connect with, and its thoughtful message about fitting in. It quickly became a beloved film and is now considered a standout achievement in Pixar’s collection of work. So, it’s not surprising that the sequel, Incredibles 2, remains the studio’s second-highest-grossing film, after Inside Out 2, as of today. It also has a very strong 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Incredibles came out during a pivotal moment for superhero films. By 2004, movies like Spider-Man and X-Men had both raised expectations for the genre and, in some ways, damaged its reputation. The Incredibles helped revitalize the genre, even though it was quite different from other superhero movies-it was designed to be family-friendly and was entirely animated. It’s also unusual because it wasn’t produced by Marvel or DC, though it shares noticeable similarities with Marvel’s Fantastic Four.

How The Incredibles Compare To The Fantastic Four

I have to say, the Fantastic Four really set the stage for so much of what we love about Marvel today. They first appeared way back in 1961, and quickly became true icons – right up there with the most beloved superheroes of all time. Often called Marvel’s First Family, they’re as important and well-known as someone like Superman, honestly. They really defined a generation of comics!

The similarities between the two teams are quite noticeable. While the Fantastic Four aren’t a traditional family – only Sue and Johnny Storm are siblings – their strong family dynamic is a core and unwavering part of who they are. The Incredibles also focuses on family, exploring both the joys and challenges of family life in a fresh and interesting way. The Fantastic Four: First Steps was also well-received for its focus on these themes, which were also a key strength of the .

There are many obvious similarities between the two teams. The abilities of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and, somewhat, Ben Grimm are reflected in Helen, Violet, and Bob Parr, respectively. However, Bob doesn’t have the same physical problems as the Thing. Instead, Bob’s large size and super strength remind us of Ben Grimm’s powers, and are also central to his feelings of being an outsider – something Grimm struggles with due to his appearance. This sense of isolation is a key parallel between the characters.

While Dash Parr, the son of Bob and Helen Parr, doesn’t have powers similar to those of the Fantastic Four, the fire abilities of Johnny Storm are somewhat reflected in Bob Parr’s former teammate, Lucius Best, also known as Frozone, who controls ice. The Parrs’ baby, Jack-Jack, also demonstrates a variety of unclear powers, including the ability to cover himself in flames, much like Johnny Storm. As another possibility, Jack-Jack’s diverse powers might be comparable to the vast abilities of Franklin Richards, the incredibly powerful son of Reed and Sue Richards, who can alter reality.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always noticed how much The Incredibles owes to the Fantastic Four. Even the villain, Syndrome, feels like a direct echo of Doctor Doom. Both are incredibly smart, totally fixated on their superheroic rivals, and rely on technology to level the playing field since they don’t have powers of their own – though Doom *did* eventually learn magic. What’s really interesting is that The Incredibles also captured that same retro-future vibe as the Fantastic Four’s early adventures. In fact, The Fantastic Four: First Steps later tried to recreate that same feeling! It seems like that aesthetic is a key ingredient for a successful Fantastic Four movie, and I think it’s a big reason why The Incredibles connected with audiences when later Fantastic Four films didn’t quite hit the mark.

Why The Incredibles Succeeded Where Other Fantastic Four Movies Didn’t

While it didn’t quite match the 97% rating of The Incredibles, The Fantastic Four: First Steps stood out among adaptations of the Fantastic Four, earning a strong 87% score that was much better than previous attempts. Despite a growing appreciation for the 2005 Fantastic Four movie in recent years, it initially received mixed to negative reviews. And, until First Steps, other Fantastic Four adaptations hadn’t performed much better.

While The Incredibles received praise for maintaining a consistent tone and developing strong characters, later superhero films struggled with both. For example, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer were often called “silly” and “immature,” and the 2015 version of Fantastic Four was heavily criticized for lacking both enjoyment and connection between its characters. The Incredibles, on the other hand, wasn’t afraid to explore more serious themes while still capturing the fun and colorful spirit typical of Pixar films. Its retrofuturistic style is a stark contrast to the 2015 Fantastic Four, which was visually and emotionally dark and depressing.

Many adaptations of the Fantastic Four are criticized for how they portray famous villains such as Doctor Doom and Galactus. Sadly, these changes didn’t help those movie series succeed, while Syndrome stands out as a strong point in The Incredibles. The Incredibles might have also benefited from being an animated film, which allowed for more flexibility when showing complex action and superpowers.

Even so, it’s important to note that The Incredibles captured the core family relationships of the Fantastic Four more effectively than many other attempts, even though it’s a completely separate story. While the 2005 Fantastic Four film came somewhat close, this is a major reason why The Incredibles is often seen as the best adaptation of the Fantastic Four concept.

The Incredibles’ Success Highlights What Makes The Fantastic Four: First Steps So Great

There are clear distinctions between The Incredibles and First Steps. One of the most noticeable is how the families interact. Both fans and critics have highlighted the strong connection between the actors in the live-action film, making their close family bonds feel realistic. Reed and Sue stand out as a particularly engaging couple, and First Steps skillfully portrays the playful, brotherly relationship between Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm.

Both adaptations also give their female characters a central role. Helen Parr and Sue Storm are both key members of their families and demonstrate strength whether fighting crime or teaching important lessons. This is a change from the earlier Fantastic Fourmovies where Sue Storm, played by Jessica Alba, was often shown as needing rescue rather than being a leader and the team’s strongest hero. Both films are also visually impressive, likely due to their retrofuturistic design.

Although The Incredibles didn’t face the same demand to closely follow the original Fantastic Four comics, The Fantastic Four: First Steps skillfully handled that expectation and created widely praised versions of the well-loved characters. It excelled in establishing origins and character development, greatly increasing anticipation for their return in .

The Incredibles did so well that a third movie, Incredibles 3, is now being made. If Marvel Studios can build on the promising start of The Fantastic Four: First Steps with future appearances of the Fantastic Four in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it could be as well-received as the original and become the highest-rated Fantastic Four movie.

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2025-10-04 19:14