Apple’s summer entry, “F1: The Movie”, has shocked Hollywood and Wall Street alike, racing past $293 million at the global box office—making it Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical release ever
What Makes It a Win for Apple
- Star Power Strategy: Brad Pitt headlines as a veteran veteran driver, alongside rising star Damson Idris. Apple’s Hollywood playbook, including A-list talent and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, paid off
- IMAX Edge: A stunning 19–25% of global box office during opening weekend came from IMAX shows, ranking it among IMAX’s top launches behind titans like Dune and Oppenheimer .
- Cinematic Quality: Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), shot with real F1 footage and IMAX cameras, the film delivered visceral racing sequences praised by critics and die-hard fans
Box Office Breakdown
- Opening weekend: $55.6 million US / $144 million global
- Total global gross to date: $293 million—a climb that surpasses Napoleon ($221M) and Killers of the Flower Moon ($158M)
- Performance highlights: #1 in 74 countries, major hits in India, China, Mexico, UK, and EU markets
Why This Matters
- Apple’s theatrical breakthrough: After mixed results with Argylle, Fly Me to the Moon, and even award darlings like Napoleon, F1 shows Apple can pull off blockbuster success
- Boost for Apple TV+: Strong box office can drive subscriber interest—Apple strategically linked theatrical success with platform user growth .
- Sequel hype potential: Early buzz around sequels is high, but Lewis Hamilton (co-exec producer) cautions against moving too fast
What’s the Next Lap?
- Box Office Projection: Close to $300M—analysts predict it could hit $500–600M before finishing its run .
- Sequel Outlook: Possible, but team emphasizes quality over speed—don’t expect a sequel announcement until 2026 or later .
- Future of Apple Films: F1 proves Apple can succeed theatrically; upcoming high-profile releases may follow its hybrid streaming+theater model
