Now Playing Podcast Presents: The Fantastic Four Retrospective Series

Now Playing Podcast
Now Playing Podcast
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Film Reviews

Podcast On! Now Playing Podcast charts the entire cinematic history of Marvel’s First Family, from the unreleased 1994 Roger Corman production to the glossy 2005 and 2007 Fox films, the grim 2015 reboot, and the long-awaited MCU relaunch with First Steps. Decades of false starts, tonal pivots, studio meddling, and reboot attempts all orbiting Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben. Arnie, Stuart, and the Now Playing Podcast crew break down every iteration of Marvel’s First Family to see which adaptations capture the spirit of Kirby and Lee and which should have been buried with Mole Man.

Episodes

  1. 07/29/2025

    The Fantastic 4: First Steps

    Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic...

  2. 07/30/2024

    Deadpool & Wolverine

    A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.

  3. 08/11/2015

    Fantastic Four

    Four young outsiders teleport to a dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend...

  4. 07/26/2011

    Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

    Fantastic Four Series Episode 3 With Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 20th Century Fox doubled down on Marvel's First Family, bringing one of the most beloved cosmic storylines from the comics to the big screen. The mysterious Silver Surfer (voiced by The Matrix's Laurence Fishburne) arrives as a harbinger of world-eating Galactus. With bigger effects, higher stakes, and a fan-favorite character finally in live action, this sequel aimed to correct the missteps of the first film and expand the franchise into true cosmic territory. Is the third time a charm for the Four? Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob dive into the spectacle, the tone, and that controversial depiction of Galactus in this chapter of Now Playing Podcast's Marvel retrospective.

  5. 07/19/2011

    Fantastic Four

    During a space voyage, four scientists are altered by cosmic rays: Reed Richards gains the ability to stretch his body; Sue Storm can become invisible; Johnny Storm controls fire; and Ben Grimm is turned into a super-strong … thing. Together,...

  6. 07/12/2011

    The Fantastic Four

    The Fantastic Four is an unreleased low-budget feature film completed in 1994. Created to secure copyright to the property, the producers never intended it for release although the director, actors, and other participants were not informed of this fact. It...

  7. 07/11/2007

    Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

    The Fantastic Four return to the big screen as a new and all powerful enemy threatens the Earth. The seemingly unstoppable 'Silver Surfer', but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a...

  • 7 Episodes

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About

Podcast On! Now Playing Podcast charts the entire cinematic history of Marvel’s First Family, from the unreleased 1994 Roger Corman production to the glossy 2005 and 2007 Fox films, the grim 2015 reboot, and the long-awaited MCU relaunch with First Steps. Decades of false starts, tonal pivots, studio meddling, and reboot attempts all orbiting Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben. Arnie, Stuart, and the Now Playing Podcast crew break down every iteration of Marvel’s First Family to see which adaptations capture the spirit of Kirby and Lee and which should have been buried with Mole Man.

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