Fantastic Four is a 2005 American superhero film directed by Tim Story, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Released by 20th Century Fox on July 8, 2005, the film stars Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Jessica Alba as Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Chris Evans as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm (The Thing), and Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom). The film chronicles the origins of the Fantastic Four as they navigate their newfound abilities after being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission.
The plot begins with Reed Richards and his friend Ben Grimm working on a project to study cosmic clouds in space. They are joined by Susan Storm and her brother Johnny Storm, who are recruited to assist in the experiment. However, an unexpected storm hits during their mission, resulting in the four characters gaining superhuman abilities: Reed can stretch his body, Susan can become invisible and create force fields, Johnny can ignite himself in flames, and Ben is transformed into a rock-like creature with immense strength. The story explores how they cope with these changes while facing the threat posed by Victor Von Doom, who becomes embittered after the failed mission and seeks revenge.
Despite its box office success, grossing approximately $333.5 million worldwide against a budget of $230 million, Fantastic Four received generally negative reviews from critics. Many pointed out issues with the plot's coherence and character development. However, some audiences appreciated its lighthearted tone and humor, which were reminiscent of early 2000s superhero films. Critics noted that while it did not fully capture the depth of the comic book series, it succeeded in providing an entertaining experience for viewers.
The film's reception led to a sequel titled Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, released in 2007. Following that, a reboot of the franchise was attempted in 2015 but was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews and is often considered one of the worst superhero films ever made. The original Fantastic Four remains notable for its portrayal of the beloved characters and its attempt to bring them to life on screen, setting the stage for future adaptations within the superhero genre.