Fantastic Four (1967)
The first animated Marvel team: 20 episodes, recycled Dracula cels, the Gee jingle. A museum exhibit that occasionally smiles. Grade it as an artifact.
Cast & Key People
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Our Review
Cast & Key People
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Our Review
Fantastic Four (1967) is a animation and action film from ABC. It runs about 22 minutes. It premiered on September 9, 1967. Viewers rate it 6.3 out of 10.
What Fantastic Four (1967) Is About
This is the first animated adaptation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby creators’ known by The Fantastic Four, as well as one of the first times a comic book collection was adapted for television. It was produced by Hanna Barbera Enterprises at the request of talent agent Sy Fischer, and was the only time Hanna – Barbera worked on it. A planned sequel was attempted a decade later, but was traded with D.F.E. Films. The rights for Johnny Storm negatively impacted the second adaptation. Jack Kirby at the last minute made Herbie as a substitute member of the superhero team. It was not until 1994 when it brought back a third adaptation in an attempt to create faithful and possibly uncensored animated version of it starring the original four, and again in 2004 to finally include all five members together.
Here in the Hanna – Barbera adaptation, the television viewing audience ( many the first time ) is introduced to the team. Controversial scientists fly their spaceship towards cosmic rays, which mutated them with new unique abilities. Reed Richards, the oldest, wisest, genius of the group, designed and constructed their ship, and can temporarily stretch his body. Susan Storm, the financier of their research, can turn completely invisible as well as create shielding, and telekinesis. Johnny Storm is her baby brother, and has the ability to be immune to flame, can use flame as a weapon, and can fly because of the way heat rises. Ben Grimm is the fourth scientist of the team, and the most severe victim of mutation. Unlike his teammates’ temporary use of abilities, he has limited ability to revert to his natural shape. Instead, he must learn how to cope as he is allergic to every cure available.
What to Expect When You Watch
It runs about 22 minutes and it leans into its animation/action roots while leaving room for the quieter character beats.
Performance-wise the film leans on Gerald Mohr, Paul Frees and Jack De Leon to carry the emotional weight, with the rest of the ensemble filling out the world around them.
Cast and Creative Team
Gerald Mohr, Paul Frees, Jack De Leon and Jo Ann Pflug lead the cast.
Key roles include Gerald Mohr as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic; Paul Frees as Benjamin Grimm / The Thing; Jack De Leon as Johnny Storm / The Human Torch; Jo Ann Pflug as Susan Storm Richards / Invisible Girl.
Why It Stands Out
Fans of animation, action and adventure have a clear reason to give this one a shot. It sits comfortably alongside ABC’s other originals, a 6.3/10 audience score puts it in steady company and it commits to its premise instead of hedging between tones.
Released in 1967 and carried by ABC, it lands hardest with animation and action viewers.
How Fantastic Four (1967) Compares
If Fantastic Four (1967) lands for you, the next stops are Avatar: The Last Airbender, Death Note and X-Men: The Animated Series, which share its animation/action lean.
Each of those sits at a different point on the same spectrum, so they make a natural follow-up once you finish the run here.
Where to Stream
Fantastic Four (1967) comes from ABC. Check your preferred platform for current availability, since regional rights move around.
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On the whole Fantastic Four (1967) is the kind of film that rewards a patient watch, with Gerald Mohr and Paul Frees doing the heaviest lifting, a tone that stays true to its animation/action roots, It has held up since 1967 and so if the premise sounds like your lane, the execution holds up.
The Bottom Line
Fantastic Four (1967) is a safe bet for anyone already inside the animation and action lane, the audience score holds around 6.3/10 and so there is little risk in starting it tonight.
Verdict: 6.3/10. Watch it if you want animation/action you can settle into.
