Robert Pattinson’s new sci-fi thriller, Mickey 17, opened on March 7 and made a powerful debut by claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office. The film earned $19.1 million in domestic markets and another $34.2 million internationally, totaling $53.3 million worldwide. This strong start helped Mickey 17 dethrone Captain America: Brave New World, which had topped the charts for three weeks in a row.
A Sci-Fi Journey from Bong Joon Ho
Directed by Bong Joon Ho, the filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning Parasite, Mickey 17 is based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7. The movie follows Mickey, a worker on a dangerous space mission to colonize the icy planet Niflheim. Each time Mickey dies, a new version of him is printed, but the plot takes a twist when one Mickey reappears, throwing chaos into the mix. The film also stars Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Toni Collette.
Challenges Ahead for Mickey 17
While Mickey 17 had a strong opening, it faces an uphill battle in covering its production and marketing costs. The movie was made on a budget of $118 million, with an additional $80 million spent on marketing. To be profitable, it needs to earn between $275 million and $300 million globally. It has received mixed reviews, with a B grade on CinemaScore and a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
