Superman vs. Fantastic Four: Super‑hero Ad Wars Heat Up as Ticket Sales, Trailers and Marketing Showdown Begin

The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster battle between DC's new Superman and Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, as both franchises aim to reign supreme at the box office.

Fantastic Four unleashed ticket pre‑sales this week, immediately claiming the title of the fastest-selling film of 2025 on Fandango—a staggering first‑day performance that outpaced every other release so far. Social media buzz reinforced the craze:

“People have been waiting for a good Fantastic Four movie for what seems like forever,” commented one excited fan.

Such enthusiasm reflects Marvel’s powerful comeback strategy, tapping nostalgia and fan service to reintegrate the First Family into the MCU.

Meanwhile, Superman enthusiasts are gearing up for pre‑sales starting June 12, bolstered by Amazon Prime early-screening tie‑ins and a marketing push featuring a new commercial showcasing Superman battling a giant Kaiju.

Box office forecasters place Superman’s opening weekend at $154–175 million, with expectations to surpass previous DC hits thanks to its global rollout—including China.

Trailers and Teasers: What We’ve Seen

• Fantastic Four rolled out a 75‑second trailer with a heavy focus on family dynamics, including a first look at Franklin Richards and stylized Casper-era visuals. A second trailer introduces Silver Surfer, Galactus, and the iconic “Clobberin’ Time” line.

• Superman’s campaign has been more restrained, spotlighting an upcoming trailer drop tied to ticket sales on June 12 and a new commercial featuring unseen action—and yes, a kaiju-sized water tower moment.

Marketing: Collectibles & Cinematic Experience

Marvel is leaning in hard with themed merch, releasing a 17.5‑inch Galactus popcorn bucket dubbed “the universe’s biggest” and retro‑styled press releases echoing the charm of the sixties. They’re also pushing experiential formats like IMAX, 4DX, Dolby, and ScreenX.

On the DC side, Superman's campaign leans into philosophical roots. Directed by James Gunn, the film strives to restore hope and moral clarity to the DCU. The upcoming trailer promises to highlight Clark’s secret identity and deeper ideological stakes.

Final Analysis: A Tale of Two Strategies

Fantastic Four leads the way in early ticket fervor—with Pre‑Sales records broken and fan excitement peaking. Its trailer lineup, collectible push, and inclusion in the MCU make it a strong early favorite.

But Superman isn’t far behind. With global distribution including China, early digital experiences via Amazon Prime screenings, and Gunn’s narrative-focused lens, it holds firm promise—though it must overcome stiff family movie competition and potential CGI backlash.

Bottom Line

Both films head into the summer armed and ready — one riding fan enthusiasm, the other backed by strategic markets and a rebuilt DCU narrative bridge. For now, Fantastic Four appears to have ticket momentum, while Superman builds anticipation steadily. Summer may reveal which approach captures hearts—and box office gold.