DirectorBong Joon Homade a much-awaited return to cinemas this past week withMickey 17, his first film since the Oscar-winningParasitein 2019. Even thoughParasitepropelled him to global fame, director Bong was already a household name in certain circles thanks to a career filled with acclaimed hits. This past weekend, the combined box office of his movies passed a major new milestone thanks toMickey 17, which generated around $35 million worldwide during the three-day frame. It was already playing in Korea, where it remains the year’s biggest hit.
Thanks to the film’snearly $55 million global box office haul, directorBong’s career box office total has now passed the $500 million mark worldwide. Interestingly, over half of this haul is courtesy of one film:Parasite. The satirical dark comedy grossed more than $250 million globally just before the pandemic.Mickey 17is currently his fourth-biggest hit worldwide, despite being the most high-profile project that he has ever spearheaded. The movie wasproduced on a reported budget of nearly $120 million, and was premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Bong’s second-biggest hit remains the monster movieThe Host, which made over $90 million worldwide in 2006, followed by his first English-language film, the dystopian thrillerSnowpiercer, which grossed more than $80 million in 2014. The filmmaker’s breakout movie,Memories of Murder, made $12 million worldwide, while his 2009 filmMothergrossed $17 million globally. Bong also has a Netflix movie under his belt,Okja. Produced on a reported budget of $50 million,OkjafeaturedJake GyllenhaalandTilda Swinton, among others.
‘Mickey 17’ Received Mostly Positive Reviews
Like his previous films,Mickey 17opened to positive reactions.In his review, Collider’sRoss Bonaimedescribed it as Bong’s “best English-language film so far.” It currently holds a “fresh” 79% approval rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. While this is a positive-enough score, it’s nowhere near thenear-perfect 99%thatParasiteearned.Parasitewas a landmark film in many ways. It became the first international feature to win the Best Picture honor at the Academy Awards. Bong also picked up the Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best International Feature awards. StarringRobert Pattinson,Naomi Ackie,Steven Yeun,Toni ColletteandMark Ruffalo, Mickey 17 is playing in theaters. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
