TheFantastic Four’s iconic costumes have been brought to life in numerousMarvelmovies, with varying degrees of comic book fidelity. Since the early 1990s, the Fantastic Four has been rebooted across four different live-action movie series – with wildly different costume designs to match. With the MCU’sThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s a perfect time to assess previous costumes.
From scrappy B-movie outfits to tactical sci-fi armor, the evolution of the Fantastic Four’s suits reflects the evolving approach to superhero filmmaking. For comic book purists, accuracy is always king, and the Fantastic Four’s iconic blue-and-white costumes are among the most instantly recognizable in Marvel history. While some films took liberties, others fully embraced the source material, with mixed results.
TheFantastic Fourmovies have fluctuated notably in quality. The first attempt at Marvel’s First Family was in 1994 and went unreleased. Since then, Fox has attempted two different franchises, totaling three movies. After some hints and cameos, the team finally made it intothe MCU timelinewith thecelebratedFantastic Four: First Steps.
6The Unmatching Tactical Suits
Fant4stic (2015)
The 2015 reboot,Fant4stic, took a gritty, grounded approach to the Fantastic Four’s origin – one that extended all the way to their costume design. Gone were the bold blues and iconic “4” logo. In their place weredull, dark, mismatched containment suitswith muted black and grey color palettes. Each member wore a suit tailored to their specific power set.
Reed’s suit stretched with him, Sue’s adjusted to her invisibility, Johnny’s resisted heat, and Ben was left nude to display his full rocky form. These costumes had almostno connection to the comic books. They lacked the classic team cohesion, vibrant colors, and even the signature emblem that ties the Fantastic Four together.
The only real nod to the comics was the subtle blue tinge to some of the fabric. The intent was to give the team a militarized, realistic wardrobe that reflected the film’s tone. However, instripping away the iconography, the movie also stripped away the team’s identity and was a massive departure from any version of the comic book outfits.
5The 2000s Updated Suit Designs
Fantastic Four (2005) & Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The mid-2000sFantastic Fourfilms offered a more accessible and mainstream-friendly take on Marvel’s First Family. It included suits thatpaid homage to the comics while updatingthem for the big screen. These costumes were primarily dark blue, with a rubber-like texture that mirrored theX-Menfilms’ aesthetic.
The “4” logo was prominently featured, but toward the left shoulder instead of the traditional chest placement. Despite this change, the suitskept the core elements intact. They feature the high collar originally designed by Jack Kirby. While the all-over blue design also recalls Kirby’s design, it’s more in keeping with the early 2000s designs, such as Michael Turner’s.
The overall silhouette was faithful to the comics, even if the material leaned more toward tactical gear. The suits only evolved slightly in the sequel, adding some contour lines and structure. Though the color was darker than most comic depictions, it was still recognizable. While not a page-for-page recreation, these suitsbalanced comic inspiration with early-2000s superhero film trends.
4John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic Suit
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Though his appearance was brief, John Krasinski’s turn as Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessgave audiences their first MCU Reed Richards – along with a slick new uniform. This version of the costume fused comic book elements with a modern,tech-driven aestheticreminiscent of theUltimate Fantastic Fourcomic line.
The suit featured a navy blue base with black paneling and a raised “4” logo centered on the chest. The high-tech fabric had a leather-like sheen and was clearlymore armor than spandex. It also featured structured plating along the arms and legs, giving it the feel of a futuristic flight suit.
While the overall design was more militaristic than the classic comic version, it wasinstantly recognizable as a Fantastic Four uniform. The symmetrical design, logo placement, and color blocking all stayed true to the source material. For a brief cameo, the suit was impressive with its sleek adaptation and hinted at what the MCU’s Fantastic Four lineup could look like.
3Chris Evans' Updated Human Torch Suit
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Chris Evans’ surprise cameo inDeadpool & Wolverinegave longtime viewers a nostalgic thrill. It also offered aslightly more comic-accurate update to his original Human Torch suit. Compared to the 2000s suits he wore inFantastic Four, this version adjusted several key elements to better match the comics.
It featured a more muted blue tone and, most notably, a centered “4” logo on the chest. The material still resembled a rubberized bodysuit, but featured black paneling and muscle definition absent from the 2000s comic costumes. The costume featured darker accents and more detail,giving it a more tactical look.
It’s unclear whether these changes were simply to update the design, or deliberate attempts to make him appear more like the MCU’s Captain America. The ambiguity certainly helped sell the surprise, whichwould have been spoiled immediatelyhad Johnny been sporting the original uniform. Regardless, this version of the Human Torch suit came slightly closer to resembling the comics.
2Roger Corman’s Team Suits
The Fantastic Four (1994)
Though the infamous Roger Corman-producedFantastic Fourmovie was never officially released, its costumes remain one of the most accurate depictions of the team’s comic book look. The suits wereunapologetically faithful to John Byrne’s 1983 designs. They boasted bright blue fabric, white collars, gloves and boots, matching team belts, and the classic “4” logo made larger and slightly lower.
These uniforms looked like they leaped straight off the page. Whilethe materials were clearly cheap, the fidelity to the comics was undeniable. The brightness of the color palette, the unity of the team’s appearance, and the instantly recognizable silhouette all worked in its favor.
The Thing’s look was a different story. Ben Grimm was made from a bulky foam suit that looked like a theme park mascot and offered little in the way of emotion. Nevertheless, the effort to bring his rocky form to life in a pre-CGI era still reflected the spirit of the comics.
Despite the low production value, this version of the team’s costume remains admirably faithful. It certainly did not have the polish of later adaptations, but itunderstood exactly what the Fantastic Four should look like. Though doomed,Fantastic Four(1994) delivered the right approach without compromise.
1MCU’s Retro 60s Suits
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The MCU’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsfinally gave fans what they’d been waiting decades for. It featured afully comic-accurate interpretationof the team’s iconic look. Set in a 1960s alternate universe, the film embraced the classic aesthetic with a modern sensibility. While matching, each character’s suit had subtly different white panels.
The team’s suits were wool-based and tailored to resemble both Jack Kirby and John Byrne designs. Most feature Byrne’s bold blue coloring, white gloves, collars and belts, and the perfectly centered “4” emblem on each chest and belt. Reed Richard’s does not have the white collar, more closely resemblingKirby’s first designof the plain blue jumper-style jersey.
Even more impressive was the fabric choice. Rather than CGI textures or rubberized armor, the suits felt real, tangible, and era-specific. They weren’t stylized into futuristic uniforms,they were the classic suits, faithfully recreated for the screen. WithThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios delivered the most comic-accurate version of the Fantastic Four yet—balancing authenticity, nostalgia, and practicality.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a superhero film centered on four astronauts who gain extraordinary powers after exposure to cosmic rays. They form the group Fantastic Four to combat their nemesis, Dr. Doom. Released in 1994, this adaptation brings Marvel’s iconic characters to the screen in a live-action narrative.
Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four is a 2015 superhero film centered on four young outsiders who gain startling abilities after teleporting to a treacherous universe. As their lives are transformed, the team must harness their new powers to protect Earth from a former friend who becomes their adversary.
Fantastic Four follows four astronauts who gain extraordinary abilities after a space mission goes awry. Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm transform into superheroes tasked with combating Dr. Doom’s malevolent schemes, marking their debut in facing global threats with newly acquired powers.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer follows the superhero team as they confront the enigmatic Silver Surfer, whose arrival on Earth heralds impending global danger. While grappling with new and old adversaries, the Fantastic Four must unravel the mystery behind the Silver Surfer’s true intentions.
