Bong Joon-ho hasn't released a movie since Parasite swept the Oscars and basically changed how the Western world looks at South Korean cinema. That was 2019. It's been a long wait. Now, the hype is curdling into a mix of desperation and confusion because everyone wants to know: where can I see Mickey 17? If you've been checking your local theater listings and coming up empty, there's a very specific, slightly frustrating reason for that. Warner Bros. has been playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs with the calendar.
Honestly, the path to seeing this movie has been a mess. It was originally supposed to be out by now. Then it vanished. Then it reappeared.
The Current Plan for Mickey 17
Right now, if you want to know where can I see Mickey 17, the answer is exclusively in movie theaters. Warner Bros. Pictures has locked in a global theatrical release. You won't find this on Max or any streaming service on day one. They are betting big on the "Bong Joon-ho factor."
The official release date is April 18, 2025.
It's a weird slot. April isn't exactly prime awards season, and it's just before the massive summer blockbusters start sucking the air out of the room. But there's a method to the madness. By releasing in April, the studio is grabbing a massive window of IMAX screens. Robert Pattinson, who plays the titular Mickey (and all his clones), looks incredible in high-spec formats, and the production design by Fiona Crombie—who worked on The Favourite—is reportedly built for the biggest screen possible.
You’ll be able to find it at basically any major chain, from AMC to Regal, but if you have a 70mm or IMAX theater nearby, that’s where the cinephiles are going to congregate. Bong Joon-ho doesn't do "small" movies anymore. Even though this is based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, the director has famously changed enough of the plot that even book fans aren't 100% sure what they’re walking into.
Why the Delay Happened
The drama behind the scenes is almost as interesting as the movie itself. We were supposed to see this in March 2024. Then January 2025. Now April.
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Why the constant shifting?
Part of it was the 2023 strikes which pushed back post-production. But rumors have been swirling for a year about "creative differences" and budget concerns. Reports from outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter suggested that the budget ballooned toward $150 million. That is a massive swing for a weird, R-rated (likely) sci-fi movie about an "expendable" employee on a colonization mission who refuses to die.
The studio wants a hit. Bong Joon-ho wants his vision. Usually, when those two things clash, the release date starts sliding. The good news? The footage shown at CinemaCon was described as "dazzling" and "unhinged." It seems the extra time was used to polish the heavy VFX required to show Robert Pattinson dying repeatedly in increasingly gruesome ways.
When Will It Hit Streaming?
I know most people want to know where can I see Mickey 17 from the comfort of their couch. Since this is a Warner Bros. Discovery project, it has a very predictable trajectory.
- Theatrical Window: You get at least 45 to 75 days of theater exclusivity.
- Digital Purchase: You'll be able to rent or buy it on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ around June 2025.
- Max (formerly HBO Max): This is the final destination. Expect it to land on Max roughly 3-4 months after the theatrical debut.
If the movie is a massive hit—think Dune: Part Two levels of success—they will stretch that theatrical window as long as possible. If it flops, it'll be on streaming faster than you can say "Mickey 18." But given the pedigree here, Warner Bros. will likely protect the theatrical brand for a while.
What Exactly Are You Watching?
Let’s talk about the actual movie for a second. This isn't your standard Star Wars space adventure. Mickey 17 is an "Expendable." He’s a guy sent to help colonize the ice world of Niflheim. Whenever there's a suicide mission—testing toxic atmosphere, fixing a reactor from the inside, walking into a nest of monsters—they send Mickey. When he dies, they just print a new body with most of his memories intact.
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The conflict starts when Mickey 17 survives a mission where he was presumed dead. He returns to base only to find Mickey 18 already up and running.
In this universe, "multiple" clones are a death sentence for all involved. It’s a dark comedy. It’s a philosophical thriller. It’s Robert Pattinson arguing with himself while Steven Yeun and Toni Collette play characters that are reportedly "utterly bizarre."
The Cast Breakdown
- Robert Pattinson: Playing Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. He’s using two different voices, which sounds like a chaotic acting choice that only he could pull off.
- Steven Yeun: Plays Berto, Mickey's friend.
- Toni Collette: Plays Gwen, who seems to be the one overseeing the "expendable" program with a terrifying lack of empathy.
- Mark Ruffalo: Plays Hieronymous Marshall. If you’ve seen the trailers, he looks almost unrecognizable with a prosthetic chin and a very aggressive attitude.
The Bong Joon-ho Evolution
If you're asking where can I see Mickey 17, you're likely a fan of the director's previous work. But it's worth noting that this is his most "Hollywood" film yet. Parasite was firmly rooted in Korean class dynamics. Snowpiercer was his first big English-language jump, but it still felt like a gritty indie.
Mickey 17 is different. It’s a massive budget, A-list stars, and a studio that needs a win. Some fans are worried that the "Bong-ness" might be watered down. However, early word from test screenings suggests the opposite. The movie is supposedly weird, violent, and deeply funny in a way that might catch general audiences off guard. It’s not a generic action flick. It’s a movie about the value of a human soul when technology makes the body replaceable.
Preparing for the Release
You shouldn't go into this cold. If you want the best experience, there are a few things you can do while you wait for that April 18th date.
First, read the book Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton. It’s a quick read. Just keep in mind that Bong Joon-ho changed the number from 7 to 17 because he wanted to kill Pattinson more times. That tells you everything you need to know about the director's sense of humor.
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Second, check your local IMAX schedule about a month out. Large format tickets for a Bong Joon-ho movie will sell out fast, especially in cities like New York, LA, and London.
Finally, keep an eye on the rating. While the book is sci-fi, the movie is leaning into the "body horror" and "dark satire" elements. It’s likely going to be a hard PG-13 or an R. This isn't necessarily a "take the kids to see the funny robot man" kind of movie. It's a "watch Robert Pattinson get melted by lava" kind of movie.
How to Get Tickets Early
Warner Bros. usually opens pre-sales about three to four weeks before the premiere. If you're looking for where can I see Mickey 17 on opening night, you’ll want to be on Fandango or the AMC app around late March 2025.
There will likely be fan screenings or "Early Access" events a Wednesday before the Friday release. These are usually hosted by IMAX or ScreenX and often include limited edition posters or Q&A footage. Given the cult following of the director, these will be the first seats to go.
Actionable Steps for the Fan
To make sure you don't miss out on the chaos of this release, follow these steps:
- Set a Calendar Alert: Mark April 18, 2025. It’s the final, firm date after years of movement.
- Track the IMAX Window: Since Mickey 17 is competing with other spring releases, its time on the "big-big" screens will be limited to about two weeks. Priority should be seeing it in IMAX during the first 10 days.
- Sign up for Studio Alerts: Join the Warner Bros. mailing list or follow the official Mickey 17 account on X (formerly Twitter) for the drop of the second trailer, which is expected to clarify the tone even more.
- Avoid Spoilers: The ending of the book is well-known, but Bong Joon-ho is notorious for "flipping the table" in the final act. Avoid the leaked "test screening" threads on Reddit if you want the genuine experience.
The mystery of where can I see Mickey 17 is finally solved. It’s the big screen or bust. After years of delays, the film is finally ready to show us exactly how many ways Robert Pattinson can die. It's going to be weird, it's going to be expensive, and if Bong's track record holds, it's going to be the most talked-about movie of the year.