Pedro Pascal Faces Backlash as Disney+ Numbers Disappoint for Marvel Debut

Pedro Pascal has become a fixture in major franchises, popping up everywhere from Star Wars to Game of Thrones and DC. In 2025, he’s the most Googled actor in the world. But his recent foray into the Marvel universe hasn’t exactly been a highlight. The debut of Fantastic Four: First Steps on Disney+ has sparked a wave of criticism, with viewership numbers falling short of expectations.

Disney+ Launch Numbers Raise Eyebrows

According to a December 9 report, Fantastic Four: First Steps pulled in just 4.9 million Equivalent Completed Views (ECVs) in its first five days on Disney+ in the U.S. While that number only covers the initial launch window, it ’s a clear sign the film didn’t connect with audiences the way Marvel hoped. For context, Thunderbolts* —a film that faced harsh reviews and a weak box office —managed 5.5 million ECVs in the same period. Captain America: Brave New World did even better, drawing 6.4 million. Considering Fantastic Four is one of Marvel’s most iconic properties, these results are especially surprising.

Poor Promotion and Stiff Competition

One possible reason for the lackluster performance could be the minimal promotion from Marvel Studios and Disney+. The film’s marketing was limited to a handful of social media posts, with no cast or crew making the rounds to build excitement. This lack of buzz may have contributed to the underwhelming response from viewers.

Looking at other Wednesday Disney+ releases, the numbers tell a similar story. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever drew 14.1 million ECVs, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hit 10.9 million, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reached 9.7 million. Even Eternals, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, and The Marvels all outperformed Fantastic Four: First Steps in their opening days.

Box Office Success Offers a Silver Lining

Despite the streaming setback, Fantastic Four: First Steps found more success in theaters. Reports indicate the film earned 25% more at the global box office than Captain America: Brave New World and 36% more than Thunderbolts*. The movie’s worldwide theatrical haul reached $521.9 million, compared to $415.1 million for Captain America and $382.4 million for Thunderbolts*.

Fans flocked to theaters to see the arrival of Galactus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a moment that generated plenty of excitement on the big screen. While the Disney+ debut may have been disappointing, the theatrical run proved there’s still plenty of interest in Marvel’s first family.

Looking Ahead for Marvel’s First Family

Even with a rocky start on streaming, Fantastic Four: First Steps managed to land in the third spot on Nielsen’s Top 10 movies chart, trailing only behind Netflix ’s Frankenstein and KPop Demon Hunters. The future remains bright for the franchise, with fans already speculating about what’s next for the superhero team in the post-Avengers: Secret Wars era.

Marvel has confirmed that the Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday. For now, viewers can catch Fantastic Four: First Steps streaming on Disney+.