Okay movie lovers you know Bong Joon Ho right? The genius behind the Oscar-slaying Parasite? Well he's back with a new movie Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson and it's a sci-fi flick that's got people talking. But maybe not for the reasons Warner Bros. hoped for.
Box Office Blues: 'Mickey 17' Stumbles Despite Bong Joon Ho's Name and Pattinson's Star Power
So Mickey 17 hit theaters recently and uh it didn't exactly set the box office on fire. In fact it kind of... well bombed. Yeah we said it. Despite being directed by Bong Joon Ho fresh off his Parasite win and starring heartthrob Robert Pattinson the movie had a pretty weak opening. We're talking only $19 million in its opening weekend domestically. Ouch.
When you consider the movie's massive $118 million production budget plus another $80 million for marketing you start to see the problem. Industry folks are saying Mickey 17 needed to make over $300 million just to break even. Right now it's struggling to even hit $100 million worldwide. Ouch again. Some insiders are even predicting Warner Bros. could be looking at a $100 million loss making it one of the biggest box office disappointments of 2025 so far.
Early to Stream? 'Mickey 17' Reportedly Headed to Digital Super Fast
Because of the box office struggle it looks like Warner Bros. is making a quick pivot. Rumors are flying that Mickey 17 is already heading to digital streaming as soon as March 25th ! That's seriously fast just a few weeks after its theatrical release. It seems like the studio is cutting its losses and hoping to recoup some cash through video on demand.
If the rumors are true you can expect to find Mickey 17 for purchase or rent on platforms like Prime Video Apple TV and Fandango at Home. The price to buy is apparently around $24.99 and a 48-hour rental might be about $19.99. Keep an eye out if you're curious but maybe not ready to brave the theater.
Critics are Loving It! So Why Didn't Audiences Show Up for 'Mickey 17'?
Here's the really head-scratching part. critics are actually digging Mickey 17! It's got a pretty solid 78% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes with many reviews praising Bong Joon Ho's direction and Robert Pattinson's performance. The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus even calls it a "daffy sci-fi with a withering social critique" and jokes "you can never have too many Robert Pattinsons." Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes are also reasonably positive with a 73% "fresh" rating.
So what gives? Why the disconnect between critical praise and box office numbers? Maybe the sci-fi comedy angle wasn't clear in marketing? Maybe audiences are just not feeling big budget auteur-driven sci-fi right now? Or maybe it's just a bit too weird for mainstream crowds. Whatever the reason it seems like Mickey 17 might become a movie that's more appreciated later on demand than it was in its initial theatrical run.
Bong Joon Ho's Vision: Class, Capitalism and Cloning in Space
For those who are intrigued by Mickey 17 despite the box office situation it's worth noting what Bong Joon Ho was going for. He's known for making movies that blend genres and offer social commentary and Mickey 17 seems to be no different.
The movie is based on the novel Mickey7 and it tells the story of Mickey Barnes played by Pattinson. Mickey is an "expendable" on a spaceship sent to colonize a new planet. Basically his job is to do the super dangerous stuff and when he dies which happens a lot they just clone a new version of him. Hence "Mickey 17" as he is version number 17. Bong sees this as a dark but maybe logical next step for capitalism - workers becoming literally replaceable.
He compares Mickey to the working-class characters in his previous films like Parasite and Snowpiercer. They are all underdogs struggling within a system that doesn't really care about them. Mickey 17 is set in space but Bong wanted it to feel grounded almost mundane despite the sci-fi setting. He even joked about including a scene where someone squeezes a pimple in space to keep it real. Classic Bong.
Warner Bros. Takes a Risk: Is 'Mickey 17' Part of a Bigger Trend?
Mickey 17's box office performance raises questions about Warner Bros.' strategy. They took a chance on a big-budget auteur-driven sci-fi film and it didn't pay off right away. But some argue this kind of risk-taking is necessary especially for a studio looking to stand out beyond just franchise movies.
Warner Bros. also has other similar bets coming up this year like Ryan Coogler's horror film Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. These are all expensive movies from acclaimed directors with big stars but they are not guaranteed blockbusters. Studios like Apple and Netflix are also spending huge amounts on auteur-driven projects even if they are not always theatrical hits. Maybe Mickey 17 is just part of this larger trend of studios taking chances on unique filmmaker visions even if it means some box office bumps along the way.
Key Things to Know About 'Mickey 17':
- Directed by Oscar-winner Bong Joon Ho (Parasite)
- Stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes an "expendable" clone
- Sci-fi comedy thriller with social commentary
- Box office performance considered a bomb losing potentially $100 million for Warner Bros.
- Critics generally positive praising Bong's direction and Pattinson's performance (78% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes)
- Reportedly heading to digital PVOD very soon (around March 25th)
- Themes of class inequality capitalism exploitation and the value of human life (even if cloned)
Will You Watch 'Mickey 17'? Box Office Flop or Hidden Gem?
So is Mickey 17 a box office disaster or a misunderstood masterpiece waiting to be discovered on streaming? Maybe a bit of both. It's definitely a risky and unique film and it sounds like classic Bong Joon Ho blending genres and social commentary with a darkly comedic edge. If you are curious about seeing what all the fuss is about and are okay with skipping the theater you might just want to check it out when it hits digital. Who knows maybe you will be among those who think the critics were right all along.