Despite initial skepticism surrounding its box office potential, Mickey 17 has made an impressive debut, grossing USD 2.5 million from Thursday previews at the U.S. box office. The R-rated comedic sci-fi film, starring Robert Pattinson, has already outperformed The Creator’s USD 1.6M and matched The Lost City’s USD 2.5M. It is trailing only slightly behind Killers of the Flower Moon (USD 2.6M) and Civil War (USD 2.9M), showing that the film is generating significant interest.
A Unique Sci-Fi Narrative with Dark Humor
Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film follows Mickey (Pattinson), an astronaut sent on an intergalactic mission to an ice planet. Mickey discovers he is not the only version of himself, with his physical form and consciousness being cloned for various perilous tasks. However, things take a dark turn when one of Mickey’s previous clones refuses to disappear, leading him to grapple with ethical and existential dilemmas. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, known for his Oscar-winning Parasite, Mickey 17 blends sci-fi intrigue with dark humor. The film’s ensemble cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, and Toni Collette, adding further appeal.
A Potential Sleeper Hit with Positive Word of Mouth
Despite early doubts about its commercial success, Mickey 17’s strong preview numbers suggest it could outperform initial estimates. Its Thursday performance is comparable to other films like Napoleon (USD 3M) and Don’t Worry Darling (USD 3.1M). Word of mouth will play a critical role in determining the film’s final box office performance, with expectations of USD 20–25 million by Sunday.
With Bong Joon Ho’s acclaimed direction and Robert Pattinson’s global star power, Mickey 17 could prove that even niche films can achieve mainstream success if they resonate with audiences.
