Director Bong Joon Ho’s latest film has taken the top spot at the North American box office. Despite this achievement, industry insiders are divided on whether the film is a success, with some labeling it a “bomb” due to its hefty production budget. Why did nearly half of the viewers choose to see the film in premium format theaters?
“Mickey 17” Tops Box Office Despite Financial Concerns
Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17” has claimed the top spot at the North American box office with a $19.1 million opening weekend, ending “Captain America: Brave New World’s” three-week reign. The sci-fi film starring Robert Pattinson has earned an additional $34.2 million overseas, bringing its worldwide total to $53.3 million against a substantial $118 million production budget.
Warner Bros. distribution chief Jeff Goldstein remains optimistic about the film’s future performance, noting that “47% of the audience saw it in premium format, which shows that there’s a big interest from cinema fans to see the movie.” He also highlighted Bong’s status among elite filmmakers, stating, “Director Bong is one of the few marquee directors out there along with Denis Villeneuve, Quentin Tarantino, and Chris Nolan, whose fans really drive moviegoing.”
International Markets Show Promise for the Film
“Mickey 17” has performed particularly well in South Korea, the home country of director Bong Joon Ho, generating an estimated $14.6 million there. The film, based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey 7,” was delayed due to Hollywood strikes but has finally reached theaters with a strong critical reception, earning a 79% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Premium large format screenings accounted for nearly half of the film’s opening weekend, indicating strong interest from serious cinema enthusiasts. The movie performed best in major markets like New York and Los Angeles, with Warner Bros. hoping for sustained performance in the coming weeks with limited competition on the horizon.
Box Office Landscape Remains Challenging
While “Mickey 17” topped the charts, “Captain America: Brave New World” settled into second place with $8.5 million domestically and $9.2 million internationally, bringing its global total to $370.8 million. Other top performers included “Last Breath,” “The Monkey,” and family-friendly “Paddington in Peru,” demonstrating the diverse range of offerings at theaters.
The overall 2025 box office is struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels, currently up just 1% from last year but down a significant 34.2% from 2019. As Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted, “That is the rollercoaster that is the box office,” highlighting the continued volatility in the theatrical exhibition industry as it works to regain its footing in a changed entertainment landscape.