Strong Moral Movies, Including FANTATIC FOUR, Dominate Box Office

Published: August 5, 2025

Theater2 — Photo by Krists Luhaers via Unsplash

By Mallory Mattingly

Movies with strong morals reigned at the box office this weekend.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS secured a respectable take during its second weekend in theaters.

According to Deadline, the superhero flick pulled $11.7 million on Friday “for a $40M second sesh, and $198.4 million running cume.”

That’s a 66% drop in revenue for it second weekend, but Deadline says that’s “par for the course” for most superhero movies.

So far it’s sitting at $198,427,635 domestically and $170.3 million internationally. Globally, it’s earned $368.7 million, IGN reported.

Movieguide® praised FIRST STEPS’ pro-family worldview. Part of the review reads:

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS is one of the more entertaining, engaging, exciting superhero movies. It also has one of the most heartwarming, powerful premises in years, because it focuses on protecting the family. As such, it stresses the importance of fathers and mothers. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS has a strong moral, pro-family, redemptive, patriotic worldview. The plot problem is solved by sacrifice, ingenuity and taking a stand against meaningless destruction. FIRST STEPS has lots of action violence, a scary villain and much peril involving an infant. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.

On the other hand, Paramount released THE NAKED GUN, a comedy with Liam Neeson, which secured $17 million in its opening weekend.

It’s a win for Paramount because the studio specifically pushed this film to have older cast members to gain traction with people over the age of 45.

Although this is a funny and lighthearted remake of the original film starring Leslie Nielsen, this film contains a moderate amount of coarse language, violence and sex scenes.

A part of Movieguide®’s review for the film reads:

THE NAKED GUN is a legacy sequel to a popular 1988 comedy classic. Liam Neeson plays the son of Detective Frank Drebin. Frank Junior runs up against an evil billionaire who wants to turn humanity into raving animals so he and his billionaire friends can rule the world. Frank falls for the sister of a man murdered by the billionaire. Before Frank can stop the villain’s dastardly plan, he naively walks into a trap and is framed for a reporter’s murder.
Related: FANTASTIC FOUR Star Says Role Prepared Her for Motherhood: It ‘Changed Me’

THE NAKED GUN has a few slow bits, but the comedy comes fast and furious. The humor relies on absurd situations and behavior played straight by the actors. For example, someone keeps handing Frank cups of coffee. In one scene, a disembodied hand gives him a cup through an open car window while Frank’s driving. The new NAKED GUN has several explicit visual jokes in one scene, light foul language, comical violence, and an occult ritual making a snowman come alive. However, the movie has a strong moral premise where justice prevails. Also, the comic hero talks his girlfriend out of revenge.

DreamWorks Animation’s kids’ movie THE BAD GUYS 2 found success over the weekend as well with $22 million, securing the No. 2 spot.

Jim Orr, president of domestic distribution for Universal Pictures, said THE BAD GUYS 2’s debut along with audience reaction scores, “should point to a very long, very successful run through not only the rest of the summer, but really, I think into the fall.”

Its appeal to families and moral worldview will certainly help its staying power. Movieguide®’s review says:

THE BAD GUYS 2 is funny and exciting. However, the plot is a bit convoluted. The characters keep uncovering new subplots to get to the finale. Happily, THE BAD GUYS 2 has a strong moral worldview about overcoming temptation and doing good no matter what. However, the movie has some strong cartoon violence, lots of jeopardy and some parts that may be too scary for younger children. THE BAD GUYS 2 is also very high energy and fast paced. So, if you or your child are sensitive to that, please be mindful.

Horror movie TOGETHER came in at No. 6, only pulling $6.8 million domestically for its opening.

This weekend should remind moviemakers that films focusing on family and strong morals will always succeed.

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