Bong Joon Ho’s latest sci-fi film, Mickey 17, has taken South Korea by storm, becoming the first movie of 2025 to surpass 3 million moviegoers at the Korean box office. This milestone cements the film’s massive popularity in its home country and highlights the enduring appeal of the acclaimed director.
The film’s unique blend of dark comedy and thought-provoking science fiction has drawn huge crowds since its release. Starring Robert Pattinson in a standout role, Mickey 17 has not only dominated the box office but also sparked buzz for its bold storytelling and impressive cast. Here’s everything you need to know about this record-breaking achievement and why the film is making waves.
A Historic Milestone for Mickey 17
The Korean Film Council reported that on April 7, 2025, at 5:28 p.m. KST, Mickey 17 officially hit 3,000,006 moviegoers. This makes it the first film released in 2025 to reach the 3 million mark in South Korea, a significant feat in a competitive box office landscape.
The movie has held the number-one spot at the Korean box office for weeks, showing its strong staying power. Its rapid climb to 3 million admissions reflects the excitement surrounding Bong Joon Ho’s return to the big screen after his Oscar-winning film Parasite. Fans have flocked to theaters to experience the director’s latest vision, proving his ability to connect with audiences.
What Mickey 17 Is All About
Mickey 17 is a science fiction black comedy that pushes boundaries with its clever premise. The story follows Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson, an “expendable” worker on a space mission to colonize the icy planet Niflheim. As an expendable, Mickey takes on dangerous tasks no one else will do, dying repeatedly and being regenerated into a new body each time with most of his memories intact.
Things take a chaotic turn when one regeneration goes wrong. Mickey 17, the 17th version of the character, is presumed dead, and a new clone, Mickey 18, is created while Mickey 17 is still alive. This error sets off a chain of events filled with humor, suspense, and deeper questions about identity and survival.
The film is based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, but Bong Joon Ho adds his signature touch, blending sharp social commentary with genre-bending storytelling. The movie runs for 2 hours and 17 minutes and carries an R-rating for its mature themes and dark humor.
A Star-Studded Cast
Robert Pattinson leads the cast, playing multiple versions of Mickey Barnes with a mix of wit and vulnerability. His performance has been praised for bringing depth to the role of a man facing death over and over. Joining him is a talented ensemble that elevates the film:
Naomi Ackie as Nasha Barridge, a security agent and Mickey’s love interest.
Steven Yeun as Timo, a pilot and Mickey’s friend from Earth.
Toni Collette as Ylfa Marshall, the cunning wife of the colony’s leader.
Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, an egomaniacal politician with dark ambitions for Niflheim.
Cameron Britton as Arkady, head of the science team.
Daniel Henshall as Preston, Kenneth Marshall’s personal assistant.
Steve Park as Agent Zeke, leader of the security team.
The chemistry among the cast adds layers to the story, making Mickey 17 both a thrilling ride and a character-driven drama.
Box Office Dominance in South Korea
Mickey 17 kicked off with a bang, earning $6.6 million during its opening weekend from February 28 to March 2, 2025, across 2,153 screens. It captured 69.06% of the market share, outpacing major releases like Captain America: Brave New World. The film’s debut was boosted by a non-traditional Friday release and the Independence Day Movement holiday on March 1, which gave audiences extra time to head to theaters.
By March 2, the movie had already crossed 1 million moviegoers in just four days, a record-breaking pace. It hit 2 million admissions by March 9, making it the fastest film of 2025 to reach that milestone. The climb to 3 million shows the film’s ability to keep drawing crowds even weeks after its release.
Over its run, Mickey 17 has grossed over $20 million in South Korea alone, making it one of the top-performing films of the year in the country. Its success stands out in a year where the Korean box office has seen ups and downs, with total weekend earnings for the top 10 films often hovering around $9 million.
Critical and Audience Reception
The film has earned solid praise from critics, holding a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 311 reviews, with an average score of 7.1/10. Audiences have given it a 73% approval rating, showing it resonates with moviegoers, though some have noted its quirky tone might not be for everyone.
“Mickey 17 finds Bong Joon Ho returning to his forte of daffy sci-fi with a withering social critique at its core, proving along the way that you can never have too many Robert Pattinsons,” reads the Rotten Tomatoes consensus.
Critics have highlighted Pattinson’s performance and Bong’s ability to mix humor with deeper themes. Some, however, have pointed out the film’s complex narrative can feel chaotic at times. Still, fans on social media have called it a “wild ride” and praised its bold ideas.
“As in much of Bong’s work, its chop-and-change attitude to genre keeps his audience on their toes,” said Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph, giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
On the flip side, some reviews were less glowing. Jocelyn Noveck of the Associated Press gave it 2 out of 4 stars, saying:
“Much of this film devolves into narrative chaos, bloat and excess.”
Audience polls reflect a mixed but generally positive response, with a “B” grade on CinemaScore and 63% of PostTrak viewers saying they’d recommend the film.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
Mickey 17 marks Bong Joon Ho’s first film since Parasite, which made history as the first non-English-language movie to win Best Picture at the Oscars. The project was greenlit by Warner Bros. in January 2022, with production starting in August 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, UK. Filming wrapped in January 2023, though post-production faced challenges, including reported clashes between Bong and the studio over the final cut.
The film’s $118 million budget went toward creating the icy world of Niflheim, with visual effects handled by Framestore, DNEG, Rising Sun Pictures, and Turncoat Pictures. Bong worked closely with designer Jang Hee-chul to craft the film’s creepy alien creatures, called creepers, continuing a collaboration that began with The Host in 2006.
Bong also produced the film through his company Offscreen, alongside Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner of Plan B and Dooho Choi of Kate Street Pictures. The director’s hands-on approach shaped every aspect, from the script to the editing room.
Global Performance and Challenges
While Mickey 17 has been a smash hit in South Korea, its global box office tells a different story. The film grossed $122 million worldwide, including $43 million domestically in North America and $77 million from international markets. Despite a strong start with a $19.1 million opening weekend in the U.S., the movie struggled to maintain momentum, falling short of the $275 million to $300 million needed to break even due to its high budget and $80 million marketing costs.
The film premiered at Leicester Square in London on February 13, 2025, and screened at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15 before its South Korean release on February 28 and U.S. release on March 7. Promotional events included a Seoul press conference with Bong and Pattinson, as well as appearances in Paris and Beijing to drum up excitement.
Despite positive reviews, the film’s R-rating and offbeat tone made it a tougher sell for mainstream audiences globally. Posts on social media noted that Mickey 17 didn’t fully connect with older fans of Bong’s earlier work, like Parasite or Snowpiercer, which may have limited its reach.
What’s Next for Mickey 17
With its theatrical run winding down, Mickey 17 hit digital platforms on March 25, 2025, available on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home for $24.99. The early streaming release, just 18 days after its U.S. debut, came as Warner Bros. aimed to recoup losses after the film’s underwhelming global performance.
Still, the movie’s success in South Korea is undeniable, and its 3 million moviegoers mark a proud moment for Bong Joon Ho and his team. The cast and crew have expressed gratitude for the support, with Pattinson calling the experience of working with Bong unlike anything he’s done before.
“Everyone is like, ‘This is the best, we want to do every movie like this,’” Pattinson said at a Seoul press conference, describing Bong’s unique directing style of shooting one or two lines at a time.
As the first film of 2025 to hit this milestone in South Korea, Mickey 17 proves that Bong Joon Ho remains a powerhouse in his home country, even if global box office results didn’t match expectations.
