From the racetrack to the record books, Apple Studios just made its boldest lap yet. Hollywood just witnessed a historic cinematic finish as F1 The Movie, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, races past expectations to shatter box office records. Anchored by a riveting performance from Brad Pitt as a retired Formula 1 legend and rising star Damson Idris as rookie phenom Joshua Pearce, the film has not only captured the thrill of the sport but also the hearts. And the wallets of global audiences as we witnessed.
Released on June 27th, the high-octane drama roared out of the gate with a $57 million domestic opening weekend. But the real story? Its relentless climb to an eye-popping $545.6 million global gross, officially making it the highest-grossing film of Brad Pitt’s storied career—surpassing 2013’s World War Z.
Only Deadpool 2, in which Pitt made a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo, has earned more with $785.9 million. Yet F1 The Movie stands alone as Pitt’s most successful leading role to date, overtaking past box office juggernauts like Troy ($497.4M), Mr. & Mrs. Smith ($487.3M), and the Ocean’s trilogy.
What makes this accomplishment even more striking is that F1 The Movie is now Apple Studios’ highest-grossing theatrical release ever, lapping both Napoleon ($221.4M) and Killers of the Flower Moon ($158.8M) with ease. And while the production’s jaw-dropping budget reportedly high of $300 million, means it may not have crossed the break-even line in box office terms alone, that’s hardly the full story.
Apple’s cinematic strategy has always been bigger than the box office. For the tech giant turned studio powerhouse, F1 The Movie serves as a cultural cornerstone, elevating the Apple TV+ brand and generating global buzz far beyond ticket sales. With a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, critical acclaim aligns with audience enthusiasm, proving the movie is far more than just popcorn spectacle.
The film’s high-speed success also rides the wave of Formula 1’s global surge in popularity, merging star power with sport for a cinematic experience that feels both timely and timeless. From on-track adrenaline to character-driven drama, Kosinski’s direction delivers a visceral, IMAX-worthy thrill ride.
In an industry where IP and sequels often dominate, F1 The Movie is proof that original(ish) storytelling with the right cast, vision, and spectacle can still win big. And with Brad Pitt at the wheel, audiences everywhere were more than ready to take the ride. Nonetheless, F1 The Movie isn’t just a win for Apple or for Pitt. In fact, it’s a victory lap for theatrical cinema in a streaming age.
