Movie buffs listen up! Bong Joon Ho the Oscar-winning director of Parasite is back with a brand new movie! It's called Mickey 17 it stars Robert Pattinson and it is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller . The movie just hit theaters and everyone is wondering is it another masterpiece? Is it going to be a box office smash? Let's dive into the early buzz the box office numbers and what people are saying about Mickey 17.
'Mickey 17' Arrives in Theaters But Box Office Start is a Bit of a Slow Burn - Will it pick up speed?
Mickey 17 did grab the number one spot at the box office on its opening weekend in the US and Canada which is always a good start. It Pulled in around $19.1 million domestically. However initial expectations were a bit higher with some predicting around $21 million. So it's a decent opening but maybe not a blockbuster right out of the gate.
Globally though Mickey 17 is doing okay. It has already earned over $53 million worldwide. It seems to be performing especially well in international markets and even gave Bong Joon Ho his best opening in many overseas locations. It even topped the charts as the number one US movie in China which is pretty impressive.
Some folks are saying that original sci-fi movies can be a tough sell to audiences these days unless they are connected to a huge franchise like Dune or Alien. Mickey 17 is based on a novel called Mickey7 but it is not as widely known as those other big sci-fi properties. But hey it is still early days. Some analysts think Mickey 17 could build momentum in the coming weeks especially since it does not have much direct competition coming out soon.
Robert Pattinson as Mickey: Test Dummy in Space and Funny Fan Reactions
So what is Mickey 17 actually about? It's a sci-fi story about a guy who signs up for a dangerous job in space. Basically he is an "expendable" crew member a test dummy who goes on super risky missions. And when he dies? Well they just clone him and bring him back to life. Hence "Mickey 17" - he is version number seventeen.
Robert Pattinson takes on the lead role of Mickey and apparently author Edward Ashton who wrote the book has a funny story about casting Pattinson. When Ashton announced on social media that Pattinson would be in the movie he said he got "roasted" online. Fans apparently replied to him saying things like "You idiot! Robert Pattinson is the greatest actor of our generation and you can't even spell his name right!". Ouch but also kinda funny right?
Critics and Fans Weigh In: Is 'Mickey 17' Worth Watching? Rotten Tomatoes Score and Early Reviews
What are the reviews saying? Well Mickey 17 is getting pretty positive feedback. It is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a solid 78% score. That's a good sign! It is Bong Joon Ho's first movie since his massive Oscar win for Parasite back in 2019 so expectations were definitely high.
Some critics are praising the movie as thought-provoking and visually interesting even if the box office start is a little slow. Fans of Bong Joon Ho's unique style and Robert Pattinson's acting chops might find a lot to enjoy in Mickey 17 . It sounds like it's a film that makes you think and definitely not your typical Hollywood blockbuster.
Box Office Numbers in Context: 'Mickey 17' Compared to Other Recent Releases
The box office overall has been a bit sluggish lately compared to last year. This weekend's total box office was actually down quite a bit compared to the same time in 2024. Last year saw huge openings for movies like Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4 during this period.
But there are some big movies coming up soon that could boost things like Disney's Snow White and Paramount's Novocaine. Box office analysts are hoping for a turnaround. In the meantime Mickey 17 is holding its own and is still number one. Compared to other recent releases like Captain America: Brave New World and Paddington in Peru Mickey 17 is in the mix and has the potential to keep drawing audiences.
Warner Bros. Might Be "Screwing Around" With 'Mickey 17'? Marketing Questions and Release Date Shuffles
Some industry watchers are wondering if Warner Bros. the studio behind Mickey 17 might not be giving the movie the full marketing push it deserves. There have been release date changes and some feel like the promotion has been "mild" especially outside of Korea.
One article even joked "Did the studio just not know what to do with it?" Maybe the studio was unsure how to market an original sci-fi film that is not your typical superhero fare. Or maybe there were other behind-the-scenes reasons for the release strategy. Whatever the case some think Mickey 17 could have had an even bigger opening with a stronger marketing campaign. But hey the movie is out there now and hopefully word-of-mouth and positive reviews will help it find its audience.
Key Facts About Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17':
- Director: Bong Joon Ho (Parasite Snowpiercer Okja)
- Starring: Robert Pattinson Steven Yeun Naomi Ackie Toni Collette Mark Ruffalo
- Genre: Science Fiction Thriller
- Based on: The novel "Mickey7" by Edward Ashton
- Plot: An "expendable" space colonist who is cloned every time he dies.
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78% "Certified Fresh"
- Worldwide Box Office (So Far): $53.3 Million