Fantastic Four (2005)

An encounter with cosmic radiation leaves Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm with extraordinary abilities. Learning to live with those changes brings them into public view, while Victor Von Doom follows a dangerous path of his own. Tim Story directs this 2005 introduction to the Fantastic Four.

The team's appeal comes from the different ways its members respond to the same event. A power that seems exciting to one person can feel like a loss to another. Watch the gap between becoming recognizable as heroes and actually learning to cooperate; the arguments and adjustments help define the group as much as the spectacle.

This film introduces this cast's version of the team and its powers. Rise of the Silver Surfer is the continuation to choose afterward; the later reimaginings are alternative starting points for their own versions.

Begin here for the team played by Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis, then continue with Rise of the Silver Surfer. The 2015 film and The Fantastic 4: First Steps offer other screen interpretations. Browse them as separate versions rather than placing all films with the same team name into one continuous story.

This film is not on the current reviewed Doomsday preparation list. That is separate from its value as a film or a starting point.