Bong Joon-ho’s new sci-fi movie, Mickey 17, is performing well at the South Korean box office, collecting $8.9 million in four days. The movie’s success in Bong’s native country is not unexpected, as his track record of producing critically successful films, such as Parasite, has earned him a devoted following.
Coming out on the Korean Independence Day holiday, Mickey 17 capitalized on the timing and subsequently enhanced its box office success. In only four days, the film attracted over 1 million admissions, laying the groundwork for a lengthy and successful run in Korea.
The warm welcome in South Korea comes on the heels of the film’s much-awaited gala premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it drew much attention for its fresh plot and the acting prowess of Robert Pattinson.
Mickey 17 is set to succeed globally, with high box office expectations for its upcoming U.S. release on March 7. Early predictions indicate an opening of $15 million to $20 million in North America, a long way from Bong’s Parasite, which earned just $393,000 in its limited release before it became a worldwide phenomenon.
While faced with tough competition from other large releases this month, including Disney’s live-action Snow White and Michael Fassbender’s The Killer, Mickey 17 should do well because of its groundbreaking premise and Bong Joon-ho’s global reputation.
With an estimated production cost of $150 million, the movie will require a successful box office run to break even, but the momentum in South Korea and the hype in the U.S. indicate Mickey 17 may be another box office smash for Bong Joon-ho.
