We’ve got some bad news for Marvel fans who are also Disney+ subscribers. Two Marvel movies from a bygone era have been removed from the streaming service. Specifically, 2005’s Fantastic Four, as well as its sequel, 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, as reported by Comicbook.com. Whether or not they will return to the service at some point remains to be seen. However, for the time being, fans will need to look elsewhere to watch them.
When Disney+ launched in late 2019, it naturally included a big selection of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. But since Disney purchased most of Fox in 2019 as well, it offered a wealth of content for streaming. As such, several titles from the Fox era of both the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises were added.
Directed by Tim Story, Fantastic Four was truly the first time the heroes had been brought to life in a meaningful way. The movie was a success by 2005 standards and got a sequel. Unfortunately, that movie was less successful and was critically panned. It also wasted Silver Surfer in the character’s only live-action appearance to date.
Here is the synopsis for Fantastic Four.
“Transformed into disparate, bickering superheroes after surviving a disaster in space, the fantastic four struggle to reconcile their powers, responsibilities and relationships as a dysfunctional family. Overcoming their personal conflicts, they finally join forces to defeat doom, the malevolent, metallic embodiment of their treacherous former patron.”
And here is the synopsis for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
“The Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As he races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue (Jessica Alba), Johnny (Chris Evans) and Ben (Michael Chiklis) must unravel the mystery before all hope is lost.”
The cast included Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards), Jessica Alba (Sue Storm), Michael Chiklis (Ben Grimm) and Chris Evans (Johnny Storm). As fans are surely aware, Evans would ultimately go on to take the role of Captain America in the MCU. The actor first appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011 and remained in the role through 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
Eventually, Fox attempted a reboot. The result, directed by Josh Trank (Chronicle) was 2015’s Fantastic Four. It remains one of the worst-reviewed superhero movies of all time and was a massive bomb. Now, Marvel Studios and Disney are working on a fresh reboot within the MCU to be directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Far From Home).
2015’s Fantastic Four is currently streaming on Disney+.
What do you think? Are you bummed these movies are no longer on Disney+? Do you think they are better than their reputation indicates? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
