Pedro Pascal’s Marvel Stint Falters as Disney+ Numbers Disappoint

Pedro Pascal has become a familiar face in just about every major franchise you can name. Whether it’s Star Wars, Game of Thrones, or DC, the bloke seems to pop up everywhere. In 2025, he’s even topped Google’s list as the most searched actor. But his recent turn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t exactly been a feather in his cap.

Disney+ Debut Leaves Punters Unimpressed

According to a report from December, Fantastic Four: First Steps had a rough start on Disney+. The film only managed to pull in 4.9 million Equivalent Completed Views (ECVs) in the US during its first five days. While that might sound like a fair whack, it’s actually on the low side compared to other recent Marvel releases. For context, Thunderbolts*—which copped plenty of criticism and didn’t do well at the box office—still managed 5.5 million ECVs in the same period. Captain America: Brave New World did even better, with 6.4 million. Given Fantastic Four’s status as one of Marvel’s most recognisable properties, these numbers are a bit of a letdown.

Poor Promotion and Comparisons to Other MCU Films

One reason for the lacklustre performance could be the minimal promo effort from Marvel Studios and Disney+. The film barely got a mention on social media, aside from a couple of posters, and none of the cast or crew seemed particularly keen to talk it up before the streaming release. That lack of buzz may have contributed to the lukewarm reception.

Looking at other Wednesday Disney+ releases, Fantastic Four: First Steps sits at the bottom of the pile. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever drew 14.1 million ECVs, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 had 10.9 million, and even Eternals managed 9.2 million. The only films with similar numbers were The Marvels (5.3 million) and Black Widow (5.1 million), but both still edged out Fantastic Four.

Box Office Tells a Different Story

Despite the slow start on streaming, the film’s box office run was a different story. Reports suggest Fantastic Four: First Steps earned 25% more than Captain America: Brave New World and 36% more than Thunderbolts* at the global box office. The numbers stack up like this: Captain America: Brave New World brought in $415.1 million, Thunderbolts* made $382.4 million, while Fantastic Four: First Steps raked in $521.9 million.

So, while the Disney+ debut might have been a bit of a fizzer, plenty of punters still turned out to see the film on the big screen. With Galactus making his first appearance in the MCU, it’s no wonder the cinema crowds were keen.

Looking Ahead for Marvel’s First Family

Even with the streaming numbers falling short, there’s still hope for the next chapter. The Fantastic Four are set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, and fans are already speculating about what’s in store after Avengers: Secret Wars. Maybe the next outing will see the family of superheroes back on top, especially if the multiverse shenanigans continue.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is now streaming on Disney+.