The latest global box office figures reveal a high-stakes weekend for major studio releases, with Brad Pitt’s anticipated racing drama “F1” roaring onto the scene and the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake closing in on a massive milestone. While “F1” achieved a significant worldwide debut, signaling a potential turning point for one major tech company’s film ambitions, other films like the horror sequel “M3GAN 2.0” and Pixar’s “Elio” posted mixed results. The weekend underscores the diverse landscape of the current theatrical market, where established family-friendly franchises continue to thrive alongside event-driven new properties.
This period in late June 2025 saw major shifts, particularly with an adult-oriented film finally claiming the top spot of the summer season. The box office landscape continues to evolve, with strong performances in international territories proving crucial for global success.
‘F1’ Takes Pole Position Globally
Director Joseph Kosinski’s “F1,” starring Brad Pitt, sped past expectations in its opening lap, securing a robust $144 million globally. This substantial figure includes $88.4 million earned across international markets and a solid $55.6 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The film centers on a retired Formula One driver, played by Pitt, who returns to the demanding world of motorsport to mentor a promising but untested rookie (Damson Idris) and help revitalize a struggling team.
Produced by heavy hitters like Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, the movie leverages the global appeal of F1 racing. Its opening weekend performance wasn’t just a win; it marked a significant moment for tech giant Apple. Having previously backed films like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon,” which didn’t reach major blockbuster status theatrically, “F1” represents Apple’s most commercially successful big-screen venture to date.
Market Performance and Apple’s Ambitions
The international success of “F1” was spread across numerous territories. Key contributors outside North America included the United Kingdom with $9.2 million, China bringing in a strong $7.9 million despite facing local competition, and Mexico adding $6.7 million. In South Korea, the film also topped the charts, launching with $2.8 million and capturing a significant 37.8% market share for the weekend. These varied international results demonstrate the film’s broad appeal beyond traditional North American audiences.
With a production budget reportedly nearing $250 million before extensive marketing costs, “F1” still requires considerable box office revenue to reach profitability solely from its theatrical run. However, its strong debut positions it to quickly overtake “Napoleon” ($221 million globally) as Apple’s highest-grossing film worldwide. Apple, lacking its own theatrical distribution network, partnered with Warner Bros. for the film’s release, with Warner Bros. receiving a portion of the box office revenue based on performance benchmarks.
Apple’s head of worldwide video, Zack Van Amburg, commented on the film’s reception, citing its “underdog story and perfect blend of high-octane racing and human-centered storytelling” as resonating with viewers globally. He added that the strong debut reflects the inherent excitement of Formula 1 itself, combined with the compelling narrative crafted by the cast and crew. The film is expected to benefit from positive word-of-mouth and premium format screenings, particularly Imax, in the coming weeks before eventually landing on Apple TV+.
Imax Drives Significant Revenue
The immersive format of Imax screens played a crucial role in “F1″‘s opening weekend success. Imax contributed $27.7 million globally, with $11.1 million coming from international markets. This represents a remarkable 19% of the film’s total opening weekend revenue worldwide. This share is particularly noteworthy as it marks the fourth-highest percentage contribution from Imax screens to a film’s total global opening in the format’s history, highlighting how viewers sought out the premium experience for the high-speed racing sequences. In China specifically, Imax accounted for an even higher percentage, driving 43% of the film’s debut revenue in that market with $3.8 million.
This strong performance on premium screens suggests that audiences were particularly drawn to the visual spectacle promised by the film’s racing scenes, which were extensively filmed using Imax cameras. The format’s ability to deliver an ultra-realistic and exciting viewing experience clearly contributed significantly to the film’s initial box office performance.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ Approaches $1 Billion
While “F1” was the big new opener, Disney’s live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” continued its phenomenal run. In its sixth weekend in theaters, the family favorite added another $13.1 million from 52 international markets. This brings its overseas cumulative total to a massive $545 million.
Globally, “Lilo & Stitch” has now accumulated an astonishing $946 million. This positions the film just shy of the $950 million milestone and puts the coveted $1 billion mark firmly in sight. The remake’s enduring appeal demonstrates the power of well-loved Disney properties translated into live-action. Its performance also highlights a trend of PG-rated films dominating the box office landscape this summer season, a trend that “F1,” as an adult-oriented film, has now challenged by taking the top spot. Given its massive success, a live-action sequel to “Lilo & Stitch” is reportedly already in development.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Releases
Beyond the top performers, the weekend saw varying results for other films in the market. Universal and Blumhouse’s horror sequel “M3GAN 2.0” had a much quieter international debut compared to its predecessor. The AI thriller grossed a modest $7 million from 80 markets overseas, leading to a global opening weekend total of just $17 million when combined with its $10.2 million domestic take. Top international territories included Mexico ($1.2 million), followed by the U.K. and Ireland ($700,000), and Brazil ($400,000).
This opening weekend figure falls significantly short of the original “M3GAN,” which opened with $15 million internationally and $45 million worldwide back in 2023 before becoming a sleeper hit with $180 million globally. The sequel’s softer start has been attributed by some to weaker reviews and potentially diminished audience interest compared to the original film’s viral popularity. However, with a relatively modest production budget of $25 million, potential theatrical losses for “M3GAN 2.0” are expected to be limited, reducing the financial risk for the studio.
Enduring Franchise Power and Pixar’s Challenge
On a more positive note for Universal, the live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” continues to show remarkable staying power. In its third weekend globally (fourth in some markets like South Korea), the fantasy film added another $32 million internationally. Its global cumulative box office total has now reached $454 million, with $254 million coming from overseas markets. This performance underscores the enduring popularity of the dragon-training saga. The film also performed well in China, adding $4.2 million to reach a cumulative total of $31.3 million there, and $1.08 million in South Korea, bringing its total there to $11.4 million. A live-action sequel to “How to Train Your Dragon” is already slated for 2027.
However, not all family-friendly films are guaranteed hits this summer. Disney and Pixar’s original animated adventure “Elio” continued to struggle in its second weekend. The film brought in just $11.4 million from 48 territories. Following what was noted as the worst opening in Pixar’s history, “Elio”‘s cumulative global total stands at a disappointing $73 million ($30 million overseas). Despite hopes that positive word-of-mouth might help its longevity through the summer months, the film is currently nowhere near tracking to recoup its estimated $150 million production budget. Its performance highlights the challenge facing original animated stories compared to established franchises in the current theatrical landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the global opening weekend box office for the new ‘F1’ movie starring Brad Pitt?
The racing drama “F1” achieved a significant global opening weekend, earning a total of $144 million worldwide. This figure comprises $55.6 million from the domestic box office in the U.S. and Canada, alongside a strong $88.4 million generated from international markets across the globe. This marked a successful debut for the film and represented the highest opening for a movie backed by Apple.
How did ‘F1’ perform in major international markets like China and South Korea during its opening?
“F1” saw solid performance in key international territories. In China, the film opened with $7.9 million, positioning it second for the weekend in that market. South Korea also saw “F1” debut at number one, grossing $2.8 million and taking 37.8% of the market share. Other strong international markets included the United Kingdom ($9.2 million) and Mexico ($6.7 million), contributing significantly to its robust overseas total.
Which other major films hit box office milestones or saw significant movement this past weekend?
Aside from “F1″‘s debut, Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” continued its strong run, nearing the $950 million global milestone with a total of $946 million and setting sights on $1 billion. Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” live-action remake added $32 million internationally, reaching $454 million globally. Conversely, the sequel “M3GAN 2.0” had a softer opening, grossing $17 million worldwide, while Pixar’s “Elio” struggled, reaching only $73 million globally after its second weekend.
Conclusion
This past weekend offered a clear snapshot of the diverse forces shaping the box office in late June 2025. “F1” arrived with considerable speed, demonstrating strong global appeal and marking a significant achievement for Apple’s film division, powered partly by impressive Imax contributions and key international market performances like those in China and South Korea. While its path to profitability remains a challenge against a high budget, the opening is a clear win. Meanwhile, “Lilo & Stitch” continues its remarkable journey towards the $1 billion mark, cementing its status as a massive hit. The mixed results for other films, from the modest start of “M3GAN 2.0” to the struggles of “Elio” contrasted with the enduring success of “How to Train Your Dragon,” highlight the competitive and unpredictable nature of the current theatrical landscape. Audiences are showing clear preferences, gravitating towards event-level spectacle, established franchises, and films that capture significant global attention.
References
- variety.com
- ca.news.yahoo.com
- www.aol.com
- au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65357588/?ref=nmnwr_2″>www.imdb.com
