Bong Joon-ho’s newest film, Mickey 17, has been pushed back from its January 31, 2025 release date to April 18, 2025. The reason is simple: more access to IMAX screens and other premium formats. A studio spokesperson said in a statement, “When the April 18 date became available, we quickly moved to secure it for Mickey 17. We’re thrilled with the new date, and very happy the film will be available to audiences in IMAX.”

In recent years, premium format screenings have made up a large portion of many films’ profits, and Warner Bros. wants to ensure Bong Joon-ho’s latest film gets the spotlight it deserves. This is in direct response to Lionsgate pushing back their highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, to October 3, 2025, from its initial date of April 18, 2025. Warner Bros. was sure to swoop in and secure that date while it was vacant.

This news is sure to disappoint fans of Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson, especially considering the shaky release date timeline of Mickey 17. Initially set to release on March 29^th of this year, the film was taken off the release schedule back in January due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and post-production delays. This means it will be released over a year after its initial release date.

Still, this new release date will improve odds of Mickey 17 becoming a box office hit. An Easter release date historically is much more profitable than anything released in January, and the reputations of both Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson have never been higher. Bong Joon-ho has multiple critically acclaimed films under his belt including Memories of Murder, Snowpiercer and of course the Best Picture winner Parasite. Robert Pattinson has solidified himself as a massive star, even past his performance as Edward in the Twilight saga. With roles in major films such as Tenet, The Lighthouse and The Batman, he is well positioned as a movie star.

Mickey 17 is based on the 2022 novel Mickey7, written by Edward Ashton. The film follows Mickey (Pattinson) who signs up to be a disposable human called an “expendable”. He repeatably dies and is regenerated in a new body, but when Mickey 17 unknowingly survives on of his ventures, he must come face-to-face with his new multiple, Mickey 18. The film also stars Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo.