Apple’s latest feature film has roared into theaters, marking a significant milestone for its fledgling studio, Apple Original films. The highly anticipated racing drama, starring Brad Pitt, dominated the global box office during its opening weekend, earning an impressive $144 million worldwide. Domestically, the film secured the top spot as well, pulling in $55.6 million, according to figures released by Comscore. This strong debut represents Apple’s first major summer blockbuster success, shattering previous opening weekend records for the studio and signaling a potential turning point in its theatrical ambitions.
The film’s performance put it far ahead of competing releases over the weekend of June 29, 2025. It handily surpassed the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, which landed in second place domestically with $19.4 million in its third week. Other films trailing the F1 movie included Pixar’s Elio ($10.7 million in its second weekend), the horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 ($10.2 million debut), and 28 Years Later ($9.7 million in its second week). Globally, the F1 film also led the pack, outpacing films like How to Train Your Dragon ($52 million globally for the weekend) and 28 Years Later ($23.4 million globally).
Apple’s Risky Bet Pays Off
Developing the F1 movie was reportedly a substantial investment for Apple. Production and marketing costs were estimated to exceed $200 million, potentially reaching up to $300 million. This venture carried considerable risk, especially considering the relatively modest opening weekend results of some prior Apple Original Films theatrical releases, such as Argylle and Fly Me to the Moon. For a studio still establishing its presence in Hollywood, a project of this scale needed a strong box office showing to be deemed successful.
The gamble appears to have paid off handsomely, at least initially. The film’s opening weekend numbers not only set a new benchmark for Apple Original Films but also marked the biggest global opening weekend of star Brad Pitt’s career. While the high budget means the movie needs continued strong performance to achieve profitability, the initial momentum is a clear win for Apple’s theatrical strategy. Zack Van Amburg, head of worldwide video for Apple, expressed satisfaction with the debut, attributing it to the excitement of Formula 1 and the film’s compelling narrative crafted by the dedicated cast and crew.
Behind the Wheel: Why the F1 Film Connected with Audiences
Several factors likely contributed to the F1 film’s powerful debut. Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, known for their work on the hugely successful Top Gun: Maverick, reunited for this project. Their expertise in crafting high-octane action sequences and compelling character-driven stories seemingly resonated with viewers. The film features Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an aging former Formula One racer who mentors an up-and-coming driver, appealing to fans of both racing and sports dramas.
The rising global popularity of Formula 1 racing itself provided a favorable backdrop. Series like Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive have significantly boosted interest in the sport, particularly in markets outside of its traditional European base. This increased awareness likely translated into a broader audience base for a major film centered on F1. Warner Bros., which handled the film’s distribution, reportedly anticipated stronger performance overseas, leveraging the sport’s international fanbase. Jeffrey Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ distribution chief, highlighted Brad Pitt’s star power as a key ingredient in the film’s success, referring to him as the movie’s “secret sauce.”
Box Office Context and Future Outlook
The success of the F1 film stands out in the history of car racing movies, which have sometimes struggled to find a wide audience in theaters. Films like Ron Howard’s Rush (2013) and Michael Mann’s Ferrari (2023), while critically acclaimed, faced challenges at the box office. The F1 movie seems to have overcome this hurdle, perhaps by combining the adrenaline of the sport with proven blockbuster filmmaking talent and tapping into the contemporary F1 phenomenon.
A significant portion of the film’s opening weekend success came from large-format screens, including IMAX. The movie leveraged innovative techniques, placing IMAX cameras inside cockpits to capture the intense racing experience, mirroring the approach that paid off for Top Gun: Maverick. IMAX secured a three-week exclusive window for the film, indicating confidence in its appeal on the biggest screens. Domestic theaters saw an overall haul of approximately $128 million for the weekend, contributing to a year-to-date total box office of $4.132 billion, up 15.5% from the previous year.
Positive Reception and Upcoming Competition
While early reviews for the F1 movie were generally positive, audience reaction was even stronger, earning an impressive “A” grade on CinemaScore. This suggests good word-of-mouth, which could help the film maintain momentum in the coming weeks. Jeffrey Goldstein also credited effective, regionally tailored marketing campaigns and positive public buzz for driving ticket sales.
However, the road ahead isn’t without challenges. The film faces impending competition from major releases, most notably Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World: Rebirth. This film, featuring a new cast led by Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, is positioned as the start of a new era for the popular dinosaur franchise and is directed by Gareth Edwards, known for his work on films like Rogue One. Jurassic World: Rebirth is expected to be a significant contender for the top box office spot.
Marketing Hurdles and Brand Building
Despite the overall box office triumph, the movie’s marketing wasn’t without controversy. Apple reportedly pushed advertisements for the F1 film directly into users’ Wallet apps, a move that some users found intrusive and potentially off-putting. This aggressive promotion strategy highlights Apple’s determination to make its film a major event, but it also risks alienating portions of its core user base.
For Apple Original Films, this theatrical success is more than just numbers; it’s about building brand prestige and demonstrating its capability to produce and distribute major cinematic events. Analysts like Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore view the F1 film’s strong theatrical launch as a clear example of the “prestige factor” associated with big-screen releases. While Apple’s previous films often served primarily to drive subscriptions to Apple TV+, the F1 movie’s opening weekend suggests a potential shift towards making its films successful theatrical ventures in their own right, elevating Apple’s profile as a serious player in the competitive world of Hollywood blockbusters. Other films like Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also continue to perform well in their later weeks, demonstrating the longevity some films can achieve alongside new hits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Apple’s F1 movie perform compared to other films released the same weekend?
Apple’s F1 movie was the clear box office winner during its opening weekend in late June 2025. It grossed $55.6 million domestically, significantly outpacing its closest competitor, the How to Train Your Dragon remake, which earned $19.4 million in its third week. Globally, the F1 film brought in $144 million, also leading the worldwide charts ahead of other films like 28 Years Later and How to Train Your Dragon. Its performance was notably stronger than the debuts or ongoing runs of films like M3GAN 2.0 and Pixar’s Elio.
What factors contributed to the F1 film’s strong opening weekend box office?
Several elements fueled the F1 film’s success. The creative team, including director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, had previously delivered the hit Top Gun: Maverick. Star Brad Pitt’s involvement was considered a major draw, resulting in his biggest global opening. The surging popularity of Formula 1 racing, boosted by series like Drive to Survive, provided a ready audience. Aggressive and targeted marketing by distributor Warner Bros., positive audience reception (“A” CinemaScore), and the decision to prioritize large-format screens like IMAX also played crucial roles in driving ticket sales.
What does the F1 movie’s strong opening mean for Apple Original Films?
The F1 movie’s $144 million global opening weekend represents a significant achievement for Apple Original Films. It marks the studio’s largest opening to date and its first successful venture into the competitive summer blockbuster season. While the film’s high production budget means it still needs sustained performance for profitability, this initial success boosts Apple’s credibility as a major theatrical player. It demonstrates their ability to produce and market films that can attract a wide audience, elevating the brand’s prestige in Hollywood and potentially influencing future film investments and distribution strategies.
The remarkable opening weekend for Apple’s F1 movie underscores its potential as a major summer cinematic event. Leveraging star power, proven filmmaking talent, and the growing global passion for Formula 1, the film delivered a much-needed box office hit for Apple Original Films. While future weeks will determine its ultimate profitability, the strong debut signals a potentially successful new chapter for Apple in the theatrical landscape and highlights the continued appetite for high-quality, large-scale features on the big screen.
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