“10 Million Tickets Locked In?”—This $150M Blockbuster Is Already Winning Before Its Release

Director Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated sci-fi blockbuster, Mickey 17, is already making waves, dominating real-time ticket pre-sales nearly two weeks ahead of its release. With record-breaking pre-sale numbers, the film is already being hailed as a box office juggernaut.

Set to premiere first in South Korea on February 28, Mickey 17 marks Bong’s first feature film in six years, following the monumental success of Parasite (2019), which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) box office database, Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World has maintained its position at the top of the box office since its February 12 release, drawing 590,016 viewers on February 17 alone, with a cumulative total of 851,715 moviegoers. Meanwhile, Secret: Untold Melody secured the #2 spot, attracting 782,400 viewers.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Mickey 17 surged to #1 in real-time pre-sales, securing a 23.1% ticket share, beating Captain America 4 (16.8%). Other films on the list include:

#3 You Are the Apple of My Eye (14.1%)

#4 The Exorcist’s Record (8.0%)

#5 Paddington in Peru (4.4%)

A Sci-Fi Thriller with a Mind-Bending Premise

Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, the film follows Mickey, a disposable human clone tasked with dangerous off-world missions. Each time he dies, a new version is printed to replace him. However, when Mickey 17 narrowly escapes death, only to find that Mickey 18 has already been printed, an unpredictable battle for survival unfolds.

A Massive Hollywood Production with an All-Star Cast

Backed by Warner Bros., Mickey 17 boasts an impressive $150M budget (KRW 216.2B), making it one of the most expensive films by a Korean director. The film stars Robert Pattinson in the lead role, alongside a star-studded ensemble including Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, and Naomi Ackie.

Warner Bros. Korea recently confirmed that Mickey 17 had a successful world premiere in London, followed by a screening at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it received rave reviews from international critics. The film’s dark humor, sharp satire, and thought-provoking themes—a hallmark of Bong Joon-ho’s filmmaking—have been widely praised.

Critics have also highlighted Robert Pattinson’s dual performance as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, calling it one of his most challenging and nuanced roles yet.

As one of the most highly anticipated films of 2025, Mickey 17 is expected to draw massive crowds and inject much-needed momentum into Korea’s post-pandemic box office. Its release coincides with a long holiday period in early March, potentially boosting ticket sales even further.

If positive word-of-mouth spreads following its premiere, industry insiders predict that Mickey 17 could be the blockbuster that revitalizes theaters, after a year of underperforming films.

Fans have taken to social media, flooding comment sections with anticipation:

“This is a must-watch! Bong Joon-ho never disappoints.”

“The cast is insane! Robert Pattinson and Steven Yeun in a Bong film? Sold.”

“You can never predict Bong’s films—this is going to be a wild ride.”

“Finally, a sci-fi movie that actually looks original and thought-provoking.”

“Bong Joon-ho’s world-building is on another level. This is Snowpiercer meets Parasite.”

“The visuals are insane. This is IMAX-worthy.”

“Mark my words—this will hit 10 million tickets in no time.”

Despite its massive buzz, some industry experts remain cautious about predicting its final box office numbers.

- Theaters have struggled to regain pre-pandemic audience levels.

- Streaming platforms continue to pull viewers away from traditional cinema.

- Even critically acclaimed films like Decision to Leave (2022) only managed 1.9M admissions, falling short of commercial expectations.

However, as one of the most ambitious sci-fi films ever helmed by a Korean director, Mickey 17 has the potential to attract global audiences beyond the typical blockbuster crowd.

Release Information

Mickey 17 debuts first in South Korea on February 28, followed by a worldwide release in early March.

With its record-breaking pre-sales, stellar cast, and early critical acclaim, the film is already shaping up to be one of 2025’s biggest cinematic events.