Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’ Disappoints at Box Office Despite Initial Success

LOS ANGELES, CA — Warner Bros.’ latest sci-fi comedy, “Mickey 17,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, opened to a decent yet concerning total of $53.3 million globally since its debut on February 28 in South Korea. Despite a strong international start, the film faces significant financial hurdles that may prevent it from becoming profitable.

As an R-rated film, “Mickey 17” opened with approximately $34.2 million overseas and a muted $19.1 million in North America. Industry experts suggest the film’s production and marketing budget, totaling $198 million, puts it in a difficult position. It must earn between $275 million to $300 million globally to break even according to sources familiar with similar film projects.

While the initial numbers seem promising for an original film in the current cinematic landscape, the hefty price tag raises serious questions about its financial viability. “Mickey 17” needs a far higher box office take than the revenues it has generated so far. The film largely appeals to those familiar with Bong’s past successes, such as the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” which may not be enough to cover its expenses.

The narrative, which adapts Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” follows Pattinson’s character, an expendable worker on a mission to colonize the forbidding ice planet Niflheim. This character can be regenerated, complicating the storyline as he dies and is replaced repeatedly. Support for Pattinson comes from a talented cast, including Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.

The film has seen varied success across international markets, with Korea leading at $14.6 million. However, it stuttered in China, earning only $1.3 million during its debut. Imax and other premium formats played a significant role in its opening weekend, contributing to 47% of the ticket sales, indicating a preference for enhanced viewing experiences among audiences.

Critically, the film has received mixed reviews, holding a “B” grade on CinemaScore and a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Such scores may indicate a split in audience reception that could further inhibit its earning potential.

Meanwhile, Disney Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” added $9.2 million from 52 territories, reaching a total of $370.8 million worldwide. Like “Mickey 17,” this sequel’s production cost exceeded $180 million, raising similar concerns about its profitability.

Given the competitive nature of the current film landscape, Warner Bros. is aware that both films will need to dramatically increase their box office performance to turn a profit, leaving industry insiders to speculate on their ultimate financial fate.