Mickey 17 Makes Global Strides, but Can It Deliver a Win for WB?
After its initial release in South Korea, Bong Joon-ho's latest sci-fi thriller Mickey 17 has expanded to 66 international markets, raking in $24.5M this weekend. The global total now sits at $53.3M, but is this enough for a film with such high expectations? Bong, the mastermind behind Parasite, secured his best offshore opening in 59 markets, leading the charge in France ($2.9M), the UK ($2.7M), and Germany ($1.3M). However, with Japan and other key territories yet to release, Mickey 17 still has room to grow.
In IMAX, the film has grossed $6.3M, contributing nearly 12% of its worldwide earnings. However, industry analysts are watching closely to see if its momentum can hold against fierce competition.
‘Ne Zha 2' Enters Box Office Olympus – A $2B Marvel in China
Meanwhile, China's Ne Zha 2 is making history. The animated blockbuster has shattered records, surpassing $2.028B in its home market alone and securing its place as the 6th highest-grossing film worldwide, overtaking Avengers: Infinity War. With presales still strong, projections suggest it could surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the 5th highest-grossing film ever.
The film's success underscores China's growing dominance in the global box office landscape, with Ne Zha 2 already outperforming Western blockbusters in its domestic market. Its international release is gradually expanding, hitting the UK on March 21 and Japan on April 4, further solidifying its worldwide impact.
Marvel, Disney, and Universal – How Are They Faring?
Beyond Mickey 17 and Ne Zha 2, other major studios continue to make waves:
- Captain America: Brave New World added $9.2M, reaching a global total of $370.8M after four weekends.
- Disney is on track to surpass $1B at the 2025 global box office, thanks to Mufasa, Moana, and A Complete Unknown.
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy continues its rom-com charm offensive, crossing $110M globally.
- Wicked debuted in Japan with $3.7M, outperforming past musicals like The Greatest Showman and Les Misérables.
Oscar Bump: ‘Anora' Sees Explosive Growth
Last weekend's Best Picture winner, Anora, saw an astonishing overseas increase of +435%, grossing $3.1M across 53 markets. The film's international total now stands at $18.7M, with major boosts in Italy (+670%), Spain (+1859%), and Germany (+2856%). The Oscars' influence remains undeniable, as the film rides the wave of critical acclaim to wider global success.
With Mickey 17 still rolling out and Ne Zha 2 rewriting record books, the first quarter of 2025 is proving to be an exciting time for the industry. Will Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi epic sustain its momentum, or will it struggle to break even? And can Ne Zha 2 continue its astonishing climb to box office immortality?
What do you think—will Ne Zha 2 surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens and crack the all-time Top 5? Let us know in the comments!
