Bong Joon Ho’s Sci-Fi Film Struggles at the Box Office
Warner Bros.’ “Mickey 17”, directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, is on track to be a major financial loss after a disappointing box office performance.
1. Box Office Struggles
- Total earnings so far: $35.7 million (domestic), $92.2 million (worldwide).
- Revised projections:
- Domestic total: $46 million
- International total: $97 million
- Worldwide total: $143 million (down from initial $175-$180 million estimate).
- Breakeven point: $300 million (far from being profitable).
- Estimated loss: Between $75 million and $80 million, though a studio insider claims the losses are lower.
2. High Production and Marketing Costs
- Production budget: $118 million (after tax rebates).
- Marketing spend: $80 million (including a $4 million Super Bowl ad).
- Warner Bros. reportedly scaled back promotional efforts to cut losses.
3. Strong Reviews But Mixed Audience Response
- Critics praised the film’s visuals and bold storytelling.
- Audience reception was lukewarm (CinemaScore: B), leading to poor word of mouth.
- Original sci-fi films are risky even with big names like Bong Joon Ho and Robert Pattinson.
4. Warner Bros.’ Risky 2025 Slate
Warner Bros. is making big bets this year, with some films expected to be safer commercial hits than others:
- Upcoming Risks:
- “Alto Knights” (Robert De Niro’s mob drama) – Expected to bomb with just $2M-$3M opening on a $45M budget.
- “One Battle After Another” (Leonardo DiCaprio & Paul Thomas Anderson) – A $130M production hoping to find success in the awards season window.
- Potential Box Office Winners:
- “A Minecraft Movie”
- James Gunn’s “Superman”
- Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners” (starring Michael B. Jordan)
5. A Struggling 2025 Box Office
- Overall box office revenue in 2025 is down 5% from 2024 and a staggering 38% behind pre-pandemic 2019.
- Other original films like Paramount’s “Novocaine” and Focus Features’ “Black Bag” are also struggling.
- Even franchise films like Disney’s “Captain America: Brave New World” and Sony’s “Paddington in Peru” are underperforming compared to past installments.
- Upcoming blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “Lilo & Stitch” (live-action), and the “How to Train Your Dragon” remake could help turn things around for theaters.
Final Takeaway
“Mickey 17” joins a growing list of underperforming films, highlighting the challenges of original storytelling in Hollywood’s current market. While critical reception was solid, poor audience engagement and marketing missteps led to disappointing financial returns. Warner Bros. is betting big on upcoming tentpoles, but 2025’s theatrical landscape remains uncertain.
Will the summer blockbusters save Hollywood’s struggling box office? 🎬