By Esita Mallik

In a notable debut, Bong Joon Ho’s science fiction film “Mickey 17,” starring Robert Pattinson, has secured the top position at the North American box office. The film garnered $19.1 million domestically and an additional $34.2 million internationally, culminating in a global opening weekend total of $53.3 million. 

“Mickey 17” is an adaptation of Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel “Mickey7.” The narrative centers on Mickey Barnes, portrayed by Pattinson, an “expendable” employee on a colonization mission who is replicated after each fatal incident. The ensemble cast includes Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. 

The film’s production budget is reported at $118 million, exclusive of marketing expenses. Despite its strong opening, “Mickey 17” has yet to recoup its production costs, indicating that achieving profitability will require sustained box office performance in the coming weeks. 

Critical reception has been generally positive. The film holds a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 247 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1 out of 10. On Metacritic, it has a weighted score of 72 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” 

In South Korea, “Mickey 17” premiered on February 28, 2025, and achieved the highest post-pandemic debut for Warner Bros. in that market, grossing $1.7 million and surpassing the opening of Pattinson’s 2022 film, “The Batman.” It went on to debut with $9 million in its opening weekend in South Korea. 

The film’s performance has also been notable in other international markets. For instance, in Italy, “Mickey 17” was released on March 6, 2025, and has contributed to the film’s global box office earnings. 

Despite its current earnings, “Mickey 17” faces a challenging path to profitability. The film’s substantial production budget, coupled with additional marketing costs, means that it must continue to perform well globally to break even and eventually turn a profit. 

The film’s box office trajectory will be influenced by several factors, including audience reception, competition from other releases, and its performance in key international markets. Continued positive word-of-mouth and critical acclaim could bolster its earnings in the coming weeks.

“Mickey 17” represents Bong Joon Ho’s return to filmmaking following his Oscar-winning success with “Parasite” in 2019. The director’s unique storytelling approach and the film’s intriguing premise have been highlighted as key factors contributing to its initial box office success.

As the film continues its theatrical run, industry analysts will be closely monitoring its performance to assess its long-term profitability and impact on the science fiction genre.