High‑octane drama speeds past competition with an estimated $55.6 million U.S. debut and $144 million worldwide, delivering Apple’s first bona‑fide theatrical hit.
Box‑Office Milestones
F1 opened Friday, 27 June 2025 and finished the three‑day frame atop the domestic chart, outperforming the nearest title by nearly 3‑to‑1. The $55.6 million launch sets a new opening‑weekend record for an Apple Original Film and positions the picture to overtake Napoleon as the company’s highest‑grossing release in the coming weeks. Global ticket sales stand at $144 million after the first weekend.
Story & Creative Team
Directed by Academy Award‑nominee Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), F1 stars Brad Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, opposite Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem and Tobias Menzies. Seven‑time world champion Lewis Hamilton serves as producer and technical advisor, helping capture authentic race‑weekend action on location at multiple FIA Formula One Grands Prix.
Production Highlights
Apple leveraged its proprietary cinematic camera technology to mount bespoke rigs on actual F1 cars, delivering immersive “you‑are‑there” imagery praised by early audiences. Extensive cooperation with teams, drivers and the FIA granted filmmakers unprecedented access to pit lanes, garages and live circuits, enabling practical stunt driving sequences led by Pitt himself.
Distribution & Release Strategy
Under a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, F1 is playing exclusively in more than 3,600 North American theaters, including IMAX screens. The film will make its global streaming debut on Apple TV+ after the theatrical window; specific streaming dates will be announced.
Apple’s Expanding Film Slate
The success of F1 marks a strategic turning point for Apple Original Films following limited box‑office returns for prior titles. The company continues to back prestige projects for cinemas and streaming, building on its history‑making Best Picture winner CODA and aiming to deliver event‑level entertainment for worldwide audiences.
Social Media Impact
F1 ignited a wave of excitement across social platforms following its theatrical debut. Hashtags like #F1Movie, #BradPitt, and #AppleOriginalFilms trended globally on X, Instagram, and TikTok, with fans sharing behind‑the‑scenes footage, red carpet moments, and reactions to the film’s high‑speed action. Apple and Warner Bros. capitalized on the momentum with exclusive digital content, cast interviews, and creator Q&As, amplifying reach and drawing a younger, global audience into theaters. Early social sentiment has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the film’s authenticity, intensity, and cinematic scale.
