Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Film Accelerates to Record-Breaking Apple TV+ Opening at Box Office

Summary

• Brad Pitt’s F1 film debuted with a projected over $40 million domestically for its box office opening
• The film’s strong performance secured the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office, unseating Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon
• F1 had a reported $200 million USD budget

Brad Pitt‘s highly anticipated Formula One racing film, F1, has roared past expectations in its opening weekend, securing a projected over $140 million USD at the international box office. This impressive debut not only dethroned Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon from the top spot in its third weekend but also marks a significant milestone: the best opening weekend in history for an Apple Studios movie.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film stars Pitt as fictional F1 driver Sonny Hayes, alongside Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem. The film, which officially premiered on June 16, 2025, at Radio City Music Hall before its wide theatrical release on June 27, quickly surpassed Apple’s previous record-holder, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which debuted with $23.2 million USD in 2023. Despite a substantial reported budget of $200 million, the film’s strong start puts it on track for success. As an Apple Studios production, F1 has always been intended for an eventual release on Apple TV+, positioning its theatrical box office earnings as a significant bonus on top of future subscriber revenue. This dual-release strategy offers a unique pathway to profitability.

Early audience and critical reception have been largely positive, with the film earning an “A” CinemaScore and a high audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. While some observers have noted extensive Apple product placement, the film’s kinetic direction and realistic racing sequences have been widely praised. F1 represents a significant win for Apple’s burgeoning film division and signals the summer’s first major adult-oriented box office hit, following a period dominated by family-friendly releases.

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