🦸♂️ Marvel for Dads: How The Fantastic Four: First Steps Fits Perfectly into Your Superhero Timeline
This article is part of the MCU Watch Order – explore every Marvel movie and show in timeline order!
If Dad’s the Marvel expert and the kids are starting to ask questions, it’s time for a strategy. With over 30 films, multiple series, and now multiverse branches, watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a family can be both thrilling and overwhelming. And with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the big question is: where does it fit?
As a father, you know time is precious. So when you dive into the MCU with your kids, you want the journey to be well-planned, engaging, and easy to follow. This article helps you place First Steps into your family’s Marvel timeline — without the chaos.
👨👩👧👦 Marvel for Families – Why a Clear Viewing Order Matters
With the MCU growing across films, series, and now alternate realities, many dads find themselves asking:
- “Where do we start so the kids don’t get lost?”
- “Which stories are age-appropriate?”
- “What’s essential for understanding the big picture — and what can we skip?”
A well-organized timeline brings clarity and turns Marvel into a shared family adventure. It’s not just about superheroes — it’s about storytelling, values, and bonding.
🧪 What Makes The Fantastic Four: First Steps So Unique?
This film is like the cool uncle at a family reunion — doesn’t quite fit the mold, but everyone’s glad he showed up. Here’s why:
- 🔹 It doesn’t take place in the main MCU universe (Earth-616), but in a multiverse branch called Earth-828
- 🔹 It’s set in the 1960s, giving it a retro vibe
- 🔹 It channels the charm of classic comics — visually and thematically
- 🔹 It directly sets up Avengers: Doomsday (coming soon), making it a key piece of Marvel’s future
In short, First Steps is a fresh origin story — both stylistically and narratively — and it deserves thoughtful placement in your viewing order.
🧭 Two Ways to Fit It In — Depending on Your Family’s Approach
1️⃣ Chronological by In-Universe Events
If your family prefers watching Marvel as a historical saga, based on when events happen in the MCU, here’s a suggested order:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (1943–45) Full Review
- Agent Carter (Series, 1946–47) Full Review
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (1960s, Earth-828) Full Review
- Captain Marvel (1995) Full Review
- Iron Man (2010) Full Review
👨👧👦 This approach is great for families who enjoy seeing how technology, heroism, and world-building evolve over time — with a retro aesthetic and early-stage storytelling.
2️⃣ Story-Relevant by Multiverse Threads
If your crew is more into the big-picture arcs and multiverse connections, this order makes more sense:
- Loki (Series) — the beginning of multiverse awareness Full Review
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — deeper multiverse exploration Full Review
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps — introduction of new multiversal heroes Full Review
- Avengers: Doomsday (upcoming) — consequences of multiversal power
🎯 This version is ideal for older kids (12+) who love theory-building, alternate realities, and complex storytelling.
📅 Our Recommendation: “Twice is Nice” — Watch It Twice!
As your Marvel-focused family guide, here’s what we recommend:
- ✅ Watch First Steps early, right after Agent Carter, to enjoy the origin story and retro setting.
- ✅ Watch it again before Avengers: Doomsday, to catch all the hints, Easter eggs, and connections that will pay off later.
🎬 On second viewing, you’ll notice things you missed the first time — and that’s the magic of Marvel.
👨🔬 Is the Film Family-Friendly?
Absolutely. First Steps is a great pick for family movie night. It offers:
- Minimal violence — stylized and comic-like rather than graphic
- No heavy horror or dark themes like some later MCU entries
- Plenty of humor and charm — perfect for kids around age 10 and up
- Strong messages about teamwork, curiosity, and responsibility
💡 For younger kids, a bit of prep or a post-movie chat can help explain complex ideas — like what the multiverse is and why it matters.
🎨 Bonus for Creative Families: Time Travel Trivia
Why not turn the movie into a fun family challenge? Ask your kids:
“What do you notice that’s different in 1965 compared to today?”
It’s a great way to connect Marvel with real-world history and spark curiosity. And who knows — maybe Dad will be the one who solves the puzzle first 😉
🔗 What Comes Next?
First Steps isn’t just a standalone origin story — it’s the launchpad for a new generation of Marvel storytelling. It sets the stage for:
- The arrival of Franklin Richards, possibly the most powerful Marvel character ever
- Potential encounters with alternate versions of the Avengers
- A deeper understanding of multiverse consequences
- New team dynamics that reflect different family roles — perfect for dads who want to talk with their kids about leadership and responsibility
🕒 Note: At the time of writing, Avengers: Doomsday has not yet been released. We're eagerly waiting for more details — but all signs point to this being a major milestone in the MCU's multiversal arc.
📘 Read our full review of The Fantastic Four: First Steps
📝 Final Thoughts for Marvel Dads: Planning Makes the Perfect Movie Night
As a dad, you’re not just offering entertainment — you’re building excitement, curiosity, and shared memories. Marvel is the perfect playground for that.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a brilliant addition to your family’s Marvel journey — one that connects generations, inspires imagination, and opens the door to new adventures.
