“Mickey 17,” the science fiction black comedy directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, has maintained its top position at the South Korean box office for a fourth straight weekend. The film, which opened on February 28, 2025, continues to perform steadily in a market that remains highly competitive with titles like “Attack on Titan the Movie: The Last Attack” and “Snow White” closely trailing behind.
Main Summary
The Korean box office saw “Mickey 17” earning approximately $928,843 this weekend, accounting for 21.2% of the market share. Despite modest weekend numbers, the film has built an impressive cumulative record. According to the Korean Film Council’s Kobis tracking service, the movie added over 140,161 admissions during this period, lifting its total to 2.8 million tickets sold and cumulative earnings of around $19.1 million since its release.
Box Office Update
The current weekend performance reflects the film’s ability to hold its ground in a crowded marketplace. Competing titles such as “Attack on Titan the Movie: The Last Attack” managed to earn around $834,101 from 121,843 admissions, while “Snow White” debuted with about $611,310 from 92,703 admissions. The combined figures for the top 10 films reached just over $4.9 million, indicating a slowdown in overall market numbers during this period. Despite these challenges, “Mickey 17” remains at the forefront of the Korean box office charts.
Film Performance Details
Directed by Bong Joon Ho, known for his distinctive style in blending genres, “Mickey 17” features Robert Pattinson in the role of Mickey Barnes, an expendable worker who is reprinted after each death on a distant colony. The film’s intriguing concept and visual style have contributed to its solid performance in South Korea. While global numbers have yet to reach profitability given its $118 million production budget, the film’s success in the Korean market remains a bright spot for Warner Bros.
Key statistics include:
Weekend Earnings: $928,843
Market Share: 21.2%
Admissions This Weekend: 140,161
Cumulative Tickets Sold: 2.8 million
Cumulative Earnings: $19.1 million
Competitive Scene
The film’s top spot is being challenged by other major releases. “Attack on Titan the Movie: The Last Attack” and “Snow White” are both making steady gains, with each title posting strong numbers. This competition underlines a dynamic market where even modest successes can be significant. Analysts note that while the overall weekend gross figures are not record-breaking, they suggest that audiences in South Korea are consistently returning to see “Mickey 17.”
Moreover, this performance is particularly notable given that the film continues to hold the lead despite a general post-peak trend at the box office. With fewer high-profile releases in the coming weeks, industry experts are watching closely to see if “Mickey 17” can build on its momentum or if the numbers will begin to taper off.
Global Outlook and Future Prospects
Outside South Korea, “Mickey 17” faces a challenging road toward global profitability. Early reports from North America indicate a strong opening weekend, but analysts warn that the film’s high budget may hinder its overall success. The domestic performance in major markets like New York and Los Angeles has been solid, especially with premium formats such as IMAX accounting for a significant portion of ticket sales.
Warner Bros. remains committed to the film, with plans to monitor its performance over the coming weeks. With a clear window free from major competitors, there is cautious optimism that “Mickey 17” could improve its numbers in markets outside Korea. However, many experts agree that its performance in South Korea will be a critical benchmark for its overall success.
Expert and Industry Views
Industry voices have noted that the film’s sustained performance in a competitive market speaks well of both its creative vision and appeal to dedicated cinema fans. According to distribution head Jeff Goldstein, the fact that nearly half of the audience chose premium viewing options indicates a strong interest in the film’s unique presentation. While critics have given generally positive reviews—reflected in a CinemaScore of “B”—there is still uncertainty about the film’s ability to break even on its high budget.
The box office numbers this weekend serve as a reminder of the challenges original films face in a market dominated by big franchises and established IPs. Nonetheless, “Mickey 17” has carved out a niche with its offbeat humor and innovative storytelling.
