What Happened to Galactus in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps Explained (Spoilers)

Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Galactus (Ralph Ineson) no longer threatens Earth‑828 by the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as his fate beyond the Times Square portal remains open. There are possibilities for his future appearances.

What Happened to Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) builds a network of standing portals designed to transport Earth to a distant galaxy beyond Galactus’s reach. By the end of the film, the team manages to send Galactus through the portal, far away from Earth.

Galactus himself is not destroyed — he is teleported to an unknown, distant part of the universe, far from Earth, thanks to the team’s plan. His herald, Shalla‑Bal (Julia Garner), sacrifices herself to ensure Galactus is trapped in the portal.

Is Sue Storm alive at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

During the final battle against Galactus, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) uses her shield‑generating powers to force Galactus into the Times Square portal, pushing herself far beyond her limits and overexerting her powers while protecting her family and Earth. The effort causes Sue to collapse and die from exhaustion.

However, in an emotional moment, Reed places baby Franklin on Sue’s chest, and Franklin’s latent powers revive her. By the end of the film, Sue survives, and four years later she is seen caring for Franklin Richards in the aftermath, alive and well when Doctor Doom appears in the post-credits scene.

Here’s the plot details for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pascal), Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Kirby), Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm / The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet — and everyone on it — weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The film also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles. Directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis, and Tim Lewis.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters and IMAX on July 25, 2025.

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