Last updated on 21 July 2025.
This is going to be a treat for superhero fans, as the new Fantastic Four film by Marvel Studios is a must-watch in IMAX for the best experience.
Fantastic Four First Steps is Filmed for IMAX
Fantastic Four First Steps is 100% Filmed for IMAX. It will be entirely presented in the 1.90:1 expanded aspect ratio on the IMAX screens.
Note that if you are going to an IMAX GT theatre, you will get select sequences in the 1.43 AR. I have talked more about this below.
The movie is set in an alternate retro-futuristic world where the superhero team has to defeat Galactus from destroying their Earth. Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby are in the lead roles as Reed Richards and Sue Storm.
Marvel knew this was one of their biggest films ever, with its relaunching of their first family of superheroes (with a better story) as well as setting up their future Avengers saga.
So, they decided to go all-in on the IMAX technology. Here’s how Fantastic Four First Steps will look on different screens (standard vs IMAX vs IMAX GT):
This is MCU’s 6th project to be made completely for this format. They started doing it with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Their last 100% IMAX project was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Here’s a complete list of Marvel films in IMAX.
Cinematographer Jess Hall used Arri’s Alexa LF and Mini LF cameras to capture the footage. These cameras are certified under the “Filmed for IMAX” program. Marvel has used them for a lot of their filicks post-Endgame.
Director Matt Shakman discussed in an interview why they went for IMAX for this film:
“The entire movie is in 1.90:1, which means it’s in that IMAX format the entire time, which I think will be really exciting… and our movie is set in a retro future 1960s. So that period aspect of it was a strong component in leaning towards 1.9 as well. But then we do open up to 1.43 which is the super huge giant more like you know a square format for chunks of the movie, especially I won’t I don’t want to ruin where that happens but for moments where we wanted even more scale and I’m sure you can imagine what those moments are if you know who our bad guy is.”
It’s easy to figure out that he was talking about Galactus. He is a giant villain, sometimes even bigger than the Earth.
So, the best way to show how huge he is is by adding some extra height to the footage.
He also explained how this was always the plan from the first day to go for the IMAX ratio and how sound and VFX were customised according to it:
“We designed this movie to be shot in IMAX. We intended every bit of the frame to fit the IMAX screen. It wasn’t something that we did later, you know, it wasn’t something that we, you know, retrofit to fit the screen. We knew this was where it was designed to be seen in all of its glory. And so the visual effects, even the sound design, everything is designed to be seen on an IMAX screen. And that’s where you’ll get the best possible version of this film.”
If the director is saying it himself, there is double That’s the format to watch his film.
IMAX also has great projectors, with better brightness and contrast, when compared to many normal theatres. Its sound system is also comparable ot Dolby Atmos in most cases.
Also, a special Fantastic Four countdown will be attached to the IMAX shows of this movie. They have shown it with Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World as well.
2nd Marvel Movie in 1.43 Aspect Ratio
Fantastic Four First Steps will partially have the 1.43 aspect ratio in the IMAX GT theatres. The footage will vertically expand from 1.90:1 to 1.43:1 ratio to fill the the screen during some scenes.
This makes it the 2nd Marvel Studios movie to go for this large AR that not many other filmmakers try. The first was Eternals with 6 minutes of scenes in this size.
Cinematographer Hall confirmed the formats on his website.
Other Best Format to Watch Fantastic Four
If you don’t have access to IMAX, Dolby is the best second choice. Look out for 4K screens or Laser, or any other premium option you can find.
Fantastic Four First Steps is also formatted for 4DX, where you get 3D, along with motion-enhanced seats and fog, scent, wind effects. That is not something I prefer, but kids like it a lot.
Last but not least is ScreenX. In these theatres, you get 2 extra screens on your left and right walls. The footage is stretched across all three 3 screens to make it immersive.
Decide yourself where you want to go, but just go to a theatre and enjoy the film.
Takeaways
Now you know why you should consider IMAX if you are interested in watching Fantastic Four First Steps. I have also mentioned other premium formats if IMAX is not available in your city.
I believe deserved to be in the exclusive expanded ratio for the whole runtime. While the VFX in trailers looked a bit odd at first, I hope it comes as magic on the big screen. Especially, scenes of Galactus and anything the superhero team is doing in space.
And if you don’t know who I am? I am Ranish Chauhan a.k.a. Fulmino Fan, and I love Marvel & DC Superheroes and Sci-Fi movies. You can also check my YouTube channel for amazing videos in Hindi.