First Steps is coming in lighter than projections in its first box office weekend with $117.6 million. Still records were broken.

First Steps had a solid hold on Monday with a fantastic $10.4 million haul, and that bodes well for the coming week. Matt Shakman, meanwhile, has weighed in on Thunderbolts*'s stinger.

Both Marvel Studios and DC Studios released major films in their respective franchises this month, and now that both opening weekends have passed, Superman stands as the winner — though not by much. In its first weekend out,

I don't particularly care if DC successfully launches its new cinematic universe off the back of Superman. I won't be excited just by the thought that a movie will tie into Superman. I'll get the thrill of anticipation if I trust a movie's going to be good.

First Steps and Superman share some surprising similarities that allow both to stand out from the more mediocre superhero movies of late.

For the past two weeks now, I’ve gone to the movies. That’s probably the first time in a half decade or so that I’ve actually chosen to buy tickets, make the drive out to the Lawrence multiplex, and watch two films on two successive Sundays.

Summer's two biggest superhero films pick up long after their central figures have already taken up their respective mantles. They (and the genre) are better for it.

That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023’s “The Marvels,” this spring’s fourth “Captain America” movie and “Thunderbolts*” all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new “Fantastic Four” may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises.