For @latimes is excellent reporting from @smasunaga on the many lives of #Mickey17 at the box office – https://t.co/ivAi1dFjNY – Original sci-fi films can be a tough sell, which could explain the slow start for @Mickey17Movie” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at…
— Paul Dergarabedian (@PDergarabedian) March 10, 2025
Robert Pattinson stars in the science fiction thriller “Mickey 17.” The movie faced a disappointing start at the box office, earning only $24 million overseas and $53 million globally in its opening week. The performance fell short of industry expectations for a film with such a significant budget and star power. Directed by a renowned filmmaker, the movie’s lackluster box office results have been surprising to many industry analysts.
Many factors could have contributed to the film’s underwhelming performance. Competition from other major releases, market conditions, and mixed reviews from critics may have affected audience turnout. Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregator, indicated a polarized audience response, which likely influenced potential moviegoers.
Like #Mickey17Movie, the box office has more life left in it! Thanks to the great @ldbahr for including our exclusive @Comscore @csMoviesUS @CSGlobalMovies data & my comments in her excellent weekend wrap up for @AP – https://t.co/qwxAVV5SrX – “That is the rollercoaster that is…
— Paul Dergarabedian (@PDergarabedian) March 9, 2025
Robert Pattinson help me, I have written more about #MICKEY17. For @IGN, I went into detail on some of the biggest differences between the original novel by Edward Ashton and the new film by Bong Joon Ho. Adaptation is an art and nobody does it like him. https://t.co/C95JmLZS6u pic.twitter.com/Ohg1Cc2lMJ
— Chase 'Hutch' Hutchinson @ SXSW (@EclecticHutch) March 8, 2025
Despite its slow start, supporters of “Mickey 17” remain hopeful that positive word-of-mouth and upcoming international releases could boost its overall earnings. “Mickey 17” is the latest addition to the world of expendable doppelgängers created to perform dangerous and unpleasant tasks humans would rather avoid. Set to release on March 7, 2025, the film features Pattinson as a former pastry chef who applies for a hazardous job on a contaminated ice planet.
As an Expendable, Mickey faces perilous situations, dying repeatedly only to be cloned again for the next mission. Over time, he becomes frustrated with the relentless cycle of painful deaths.
Box office struggles of Mickey 17
In Hollywood, clones often serve as expendable labor, working in lunar mines, theme parks, and as super soldiers and organ donors. Most clones are unaware of their expendability and are usually resentful if they do find out. “Mickey 17” stands out as an exception, with its protagonist willingly signing up for the role, even writing “expendable” on his job application.
Despite this initial willingness, Mickey eventually becomes weary of his monotonous and painful existence. However, the film feels like a half-finished compromise, hinting at an underlying, superior movie that never quite makes it to the surface. The movie suffers from a convoluted narrative and too many compromises.
Several subplots are introduced and then dropped, confusing the viewer and diluting the main storyline. Characters and plot points often reappear inconsequentially or are resolved in the background, making the film feel cluttered and disjointed. Despite some strong acting from Pattinson and director Bong Joon Ho’s adept world-building, the final cut suggests a struggle between the director’s vision and studio demands, resulting in a movie that attempts to juggle too many themes and ultimately drops the ball.
It remains to be seen whether “Mickey 17” can recover from its initial stumble and ultimately become a financial success. For further updates on the film and other box office news, stay tuned to Hollywood’s latest developments.