In a noteworthy opening weekend, Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated science fiction film, Mickey 17, topped the North American box office, garnering $19.1 million. This debut was enough to push Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World from its three-week hold at the number one spot, as reported by studio estimates over the weekend.

Global Performance and Financial Outlook

Alongside its domestic earnings, Mickey 17 pulled in an impressive $34.2 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide gross to $53.3 million. However, the film’s path to profitability remains uncertain, given that its production budget was a reported $118 million, excluding substantial marketing costs.

The Theatrical Experience and Audience Reception

The film’s release follows an impassioned Oscar speech by Sean Baker, which highlighted the vital role of theatrical viewing in the film industry. Critics have responded positively to Mickey 17, awarding it a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet box office attendance did not suggest it was perceived as an ‘event movie.’ This raises questions about its overall reception.

Release Timeline and Casting

Originally scheduled for a March 2024 release, Mickey 17 faced delays attributed to the Hollywood strikes. The film, based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, features Robert Pattinson in the lead role, supported by a talented cast that includes Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.

Box Office Context and Competitors

Opening in 3,807 theaters across the U.S., the film performed notably in major cities like New York and Los Angeles, with nearly half of its earnings coming from premium large format showings, such as IMAX. Additionally, the film excelled in its home country of South Korea, amassing around $14.6 million.

Jeff Goldstein, head of domestic distribution for Warner Bros., noted that “47% of the audience saw it in premium format,” indicating a robust interest among cinema enthusiasts.

While Mickey 17 leads the box office, the second place was claimed by Captain America: Brave New World, which earned $8.5 million domestically, bringing its total to $370.8 million globally.

Additional Box Office Insights and Future Outlook

Other films rounding out the top five included Last Breath, The Monkey, and Paddington in Peru. New entries also included In the Lost Lands, featuring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, as well as Rule Breakers, which tells the story of Afghan girls involved in a robotics team.

In a notable surge, Anora saw its theater count nearly doubled to 2,000 following its win of five Oscars, including best picture. With a revenue increase of 595% from the previous weekend, it earned an estimated $1.9 million, totaling $18.4 million so far.

As of now, the overall 2025 box office is up by 1% compared to last year, although it still lags 34.2% behind the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, as highlighted by Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. He remarked on the fluctuating box office dynamics, suggesting that down weeks can significantly impact overall revenue, but recovery is anticipated.