This weekend marks the final release of Warner Bros.’ expensive sci-fi epic Mickey 17, which was directed by Oscar winner Bong Joon Ho of Parasite. With Robert Pattinson in the lead role, the movie is expected to debut with a modest $45 million globally.
Mickey 17 will need to make between $240 million and $300 million worldwide to break even, with a net production cost of $118 million after UK tax rebates, ignoring marketing costs. For long-term success, the studio is relying on positive audience feedback and word-of-mouth.
The opening weekend forecasts for Mickey 17 have surpassed $20 million, suggesting that the domestic tracking has improved. Especially when they are unique storylines instead of franchise episodes, science fiction movies frequently have trouble drawing large crowds. Warner Bros. has, however, concentrated its marketing efforts on appealing to a broad audience with Pattinson’s persona, a “disposable” worker who is continuously regenerated. Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016), which debuted at $24 million domestically, is a similar movie in the genre. Mickey 17 has received mostly favorable early reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it an 85% Certified Fresh rating.
Mickey 17 is Bong Joon Ho’s most costly production to date, costing significantly more than the $11 million spent on Parasite, which became a worldwide sensation, and more than the $50 million budget of his Netflix movie Okja. The movie, which was approved in early 2022 by Warner Bros.’ former executives, is based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7. In an effort to entice creative directors back to Warner Bros., particularly after Christopher Nolan left for Universal, the new studio executives, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, have continued to back the movie.
This weekend, Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated science fiction thriller Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, will be released in 3,770 theaters nationwide. Previews of the R-rated movie, which also stars Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, and Naomi Ackie, will start in 3,200 theaters on Thursday at 3 p.m. There will also be premium formats that offer viewers an immersive viewing experience, like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and motion seats.
Mickey 17 is expanding to 66 overseas markets after making an incredible $9 million launch in Korea this weekend, the largest Warner Bros. opening in the market since 2019. An anticipated $25 million international launch will be aided by major markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Australia, and all of Latin America. The movie will be released on 28,500 theaters globally.
Early reviews have been quite favorable, with French audiences placing it alongside recent sci-fi hits like Alien: Romulus and Tenet. Critics in the UK are also responding positively. China is an intriguing market to observe, as the local blockbuster Ne Zha 2 continues to dominate with an impressive $1.97 billion at the box office. Nevertheless, Mickey 17 has garnered attention from state media in China, emphasizing its resonance with younger viewers through themes of workers dealing with challenging employers. Initial screenings in Beijing and seven other cities have been well-received, praised for the film’s humor, emotional richness, and strong performances.
To generate buzz, the Mickey 17 team has been actively promoting the film globally. Notable events included a press stop in Seoul in January featuring Bong and Pattinson, a London premiere in early February, a prominent screening at the Berlin Film Festival, and a Paris premiere. Recently, Bong, Ackie, Ruffalo, and Yeun participated in another promotional event in Korea.
While films driven by auteur visionaries often see an initial surge from dedicated film lovers, maintaining long-term success hinges on audience word-of-mouth. Renowned directors like Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese have cultivated devoted fan bases that contribute to strong opening weekends. Mickey 17 aims to replicate this momentum, following the path of recent unexpected box office successes like Nosferatu. The Robert Eggers horror film surpassed expectations with a $95.6 million domestic total, despite its niche appeal.
Also making its wide release this weekend is Rule Breakers, directed by Bill Guttentag and distributed by Angel Studios. Featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag, the film narrates the journey of a visionary woman advocating for girls’ education in a society that views it as an act of rebellion. With a release in 2,044 theaters, Rule Breakers is projected to have a modest opening in the low single digits, currently holding a 77% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
