“F1 The Movie” sped to a strong start, earning $55.6 million in North America and $144 million worldwide over the weekend, according to studio estimates on Sunday.
The film marks the most successful theatrical opening for Apple Original Films to date.
Despite earning critical praise for titles like the Oscar-winning CODA in 2021, Apple’s box office track record has been inconsistent.
This latest result, however, signals a major win for the tech giant’s Hollywood ambitions.
Underwhelming theatrical releases like Argylle and Fly Me to the Moon, along with prestige films like Ridley Scott’s Napoleon and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, have mostly driven audiences to Apple TV+ rather than cinemas.
But F1 marked Apple’s first true push into summer blockbuster territory.
The tech giant won a bidding war for the film, which features much of the production team behind the 2022 hit Top Gun: Maverick.
Apple partnered with Warner Bros. to distribute the movie, which stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Kerry Condon.
With a production budget exceeding $200 million, F1 still has a long road ahead before breaking even. But for now, it’s racing full speed ahead.
“The film’s outstanding debut reflects both the excitement of Formula 1 and the deeply emotional and entertaining story crafted by the entire cast and creative team,” said Zack Van Amburg, who heads worldwide video for Apple with Jamie Erlicht. “Their dedication and innovation have fueled an unforgettable cinematic experience.”
Warner Bros. anticipated strong international performance for F1, given Formula 1’s greater popularity abroad than in the U.S. According to Jeffrey Goldstein, the studio’s head of distribution, Brad Pitt was the film’s “secret sauce.”
The $144 million global debut marks the biggest opening weekend of Pitt’s career.
“We came up with multiple campaigns based on where you are in the world,” said Goldstein. “We planned for an audience-winner: screen the movie and get it out there. People talking about this movie drove this movie.”
