July 2025 has a strong possibility of becoming one of the biggest single months in superhero cinema for MCU and DCU fans alike. Although both franchises have been around for over a decade, Marvel and DC movies are set to experience brand-new chapters next year. After all, both Marvel Studios and DC Studios are releasing significant new projects, both of which will have big ramifications for the future: Superman & Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The MCU first began in 2008 with Iron Man. Now, it’s comprised of 34 movies and 12 television projects 16 years later. The DCEU first began with 2013’s Man of Steel, having 16 movies and 1 television series before it was ultimately canceled. To that end, July 2025 will see both Marvel and DC kicking off major reboots, resulting in what will likely be one of the biggest and most exciting months for superhero fans ever.
Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps Are Both Releasing In July
July 11th and July 25th
As has been announced by both studios, DC Studios’ Superman and Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps are both releasing in July of 2025. Coming from new DC Studios co-head James Gunn, Superman will be the first movie in the brand-new DCU which will be an entire rebooted universe of interconnected stories, rather than continuing the previous DC Extended Universe that began with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Starring David Corenswet as the titular Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicolas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and more, Superman is set to release on July 11th, 2025.
Additionally, Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently set for release only two weeks later, July 25th. Starring Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, Fantastic Four will be a rebooted version of the team that will be part of the larger MCU for the very first step. They’re also expected to play major roles in future projects such as Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Some might argue that it might behoove either Marvel or DC Studios to pick a new release date. After all, creating more distance between their two reboots might help increase attendance and box office returns for each. However, it can also be argued that keeping both releases in July could work in both films’ favor, especially if Marvel and DC have confidence in the quality of their respective films.
The MCU and DCU Have A Rare Opportunity To Bring Fandoms Together
Uniting For New Chapters In Superhero Cinema
Having two major superhero movies of such significance released so closely could certainly work in both studios’ favor. Firstly, both projects will likely be distinct enough from each other that audiences will likely be interested in seeing both. While Gunn’s Superman will be introducing a new Kal-El who’s engaging with the larger world as well as his Kryptonian heritage, Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four will feature a brand-new version of the Fantastic Four who live in a retro-futuristic reality set apart from the main Earth-616.
Likewise, neither movie exists in a vacuum as a singular venture. Superhero movie fans will have reasons to see both projects (beyond the films themselves). Superman is kicking off a brand-new universe which will likely attract not only existing DC fans but also new viewers who might not have liked the old universe and are interested in seeing something new. Likewise, Fantastic Four is also looking very unique next to other MCU projects, while also being a new take on a popular team of heroes who are a family first, and will likely be a part of the MCU’s future.
July’s “Super/Fantastic Month” Could Be Bigger Than 2023’s “Barbenheimer”
The Promotional Opportunities Are Very Exciting
Keeping all of this in mind, one could easily see the close July releases of Superman and Fantastic Four becoming a cinematic phenomenon, not unlike Oppenheimer and Barbie which both released on the same day (July 21, 2023). Both movies absolutely benefitted by holding their dates, resulting in several audience members creating their own double-feature experiences that day and seeing both films. Colloquially known as “Barbenheimer”, the dual-release became a major moment in pop culture history.
Perhaps Marvel and DC Studios could attempt to promote both films in a similar way, encouraging audiences to see both movies during “Super/Fantastic Month”. It would certainly be exciting and unique to see the casts of both movies promoting their films together in some fashion, effectively pushing back on any ideas of fandom rivalry by supporting both universes simultaneously. It’s also worth noting that this will be one of the first times James Gunn has a DC movie released so close to one of Kevin Feige’s MCU projects. If anyone could bring DC and Marvel together, it’d be them.
Don’t Forget About San Diego Comic-Con
DC’s Future Plans and Avengers 5
Putting all the promotion and hype that could be built around Superman and Fantastic Four aside, July is also when San Diego Comic-Con takes place (the same dates as Fantastic Four’s opening weekend). As such, Marvel Studios will no doubt take the opportunity to celebrate the movie’s release (much like they did this year with Deadpool & Wolverine). However, one could also imagine that they’d provide new reveals and even footage for 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday which is set to star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom (which was announced at this year’s SDCC).
DC has historically been more hit-or-miss in terms of presence at SDCC, though one could imagine they’d also want to go big at San Diego in the wake of Superman’s July release. They’ll probably be looking to build excitement and reveal first looks for their next films and shows like Supergirl starring Milly Alcock, the upcoming Lanterns series, or The Authority. At any rate, July is clearly shaping up to be one of the biggest superhero cinema months ever, for both the MCU and DCU.
Upcoming MCU Movies
