Mickey 17 is the latest sci-fi dark comedy adventure film from acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho, starring Robert Pattinson. Released in theaters on March 7, the movie has failed to garner any traction at the box office. After just three weeks in theaters, the movie will be released digitally at the end of the month.
Mickey 17 Set For Digital Release
Set against the backdrop of a new human colony, Mickey 17 introduces us to the unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson. In this futuristic world, Mickey takes on the unique role of an “Expendable,” a job that demands the ultimate commitment, dying for a living. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the film has a touch of humor, sadness, and contemplation.
Despite its modest box office performance, where it earned $59.8 million against a substantial budget of $118 million, Mickey 17 has captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike, securing a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 78% critic score. In its opening weekend, it claimed the top spot, surpassing well-established franchises like Captain America, a testament to its unique appeal.
One of the film’s standout features is Bong Joon Ho’s masterful use of comedy to tackle heavier social-political themes. In a previous interview with IGN, Bong explained, “There is a lot of humor in this film, but it doesn’t roll with the singular goal of making the audience laugh as many times as they can.” Instead, Bong uses humor to “strengthen sadness,” providing a complex emotional palette for viewers to explore. This approach encourages audiences to ruminate on the film’s deeper meanings, making it a truly immersive experience. The film’s ensemble cast includes Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
As Mickey 17 transitions to digital platforms, it opens up new avenues for audiences to engage with this remarkable story. Available on premium platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, viewers can pre-order the film for $24.99 to experience it at their convenience.
Final Thoughts
The lackluster performance of Mickey 17 points to a larger problem that Hollywood is currently experiencing. This film had everything you want in a movie. There are recognizable stars that people have loved in other movies. The director worked on an Oscar-winning movie. It came out in a month when people are looking for things to do. It was even well-reviewed by critics! People simply aren’t going to the theaters like they used to.
We’ve seen this with other movies. Better Man flopped at the box office but was one of the top five most-streamed movies when it was released on Paramount+ this week. Other movies have caught fire on streaming services after lackluster box office performances. This is something to watch this year at the box office. Will more films suffer the same fate as Mickey 17?
