Fantastic Four (1967)
TV SeriesOptional
Hanna-Barbera’s take on Marvel’s First Family, closely adapting Lee and Kirby stories. This 1967 Marvel series was made outside Marvel Studios’ main MCU line-up, so it’s optional for the watch order and works fine on its own. It has 20 episodes, about 7h 20m in all.
| Release date | September 9, 1967 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 20 × ~22 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
The first Fantastic Four cartoon, with designs drawn straight from Jack Kirby’s pages.
About Fantastic Four (1967)
Hanna-Barbera's 1967 Fantastic Four is the first animated version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm. Most episodes are built on early issues of the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comic, so the rogues' gallery is close to the source: Doctor Doom, the Mole Man, the Red Ghost, Blastaar, the Super-Skrull, Rama-Tut, Diablo and Klaw all appear, and the team faces Galactus and the Silver Surfer in a single half hour.
ABC aired the 20 episodes on Saturday mornings from September 9, 1967, to September 21, 1968, and kept rerunning them until 1970. Alex Toth designed the characters. Gerald Mohr voices Reed, Jo Ann Pflug voices Sue, Jac Flanders voices Johnny and Paul Frees voices Ben. Stan Lee, who was consulted, later said it felt aimed at much younger viewers than the comic. Animation historian David Perlmutter praised its voice cast and production values, though concerns about TV violence held it back.
Good to know
- It opens with "Menace of the Mole Men," which adapts the team's first comic adventure.
- "The Way It All Began" covers Doctor Doom's origin.
- Galactus and the Silver Surfer make their first screen appearances in the episode "Galactus."
- The show gets a brief nod in Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025).
How to watch it
This is the starting point for a Fantastic Four animation marathon, followed by The New Fantastic Four (1978) and the 1990s series. It doesn't need any setup, and each half hour stands alone. "Galactus" and "The Way It All Began" are the best first picks. Retro animation fans will enjoy it, and watching it after The Fantastic Four: First Steps is fun, since both lean into a 1960s look.
Where to watch Fantastic Four (1967) in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|
Where to watch Fantastic Four (1967) outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Not included | Not available |
| India | Not included | Not available |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
Fantastic Four (1967) FAQ
Who voices the Thing in the 1967 Fantastic Four?
Paul Frees, a prolific voice actor of the era. Gerald Mohr voices Mister Fantastic, Jo Ann Pflug voices the Invisible Girl and Jac Flanders voices the Human Torch.
Is Galactus in the 1967 Fantastic Four cartoon?
Yes. The episode "Galactus" brings in Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
What came after the 1967 Fantastic Four series?
The New Fantastic Four (1978), produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises.
Can you skip Fantastic Four (1967)?
Yes. It sits outside the MCU timeline, so nothing in the MCU depends on it.
How many episodes does Fantastic Four (1967) have?
Fantastic Four (1967) has 20 episodes, around 22 minutes each.
Is Fantastic Four (1967) part of the MCU?
No. It’s a Marvel title made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.