Brad Pitt’s F1-The Movie Hits $140M Worldwide: Apple’s Biggest Opening Yet

F1-The Movie screeched into theaters this weekend and didn’t just make a pit stop, it tore through expectations, raking in over $140 million globally, with $55.6 million of that coming from U.S. audiences alone. That makes it Apple Studios’ biggest opening weekend ever, knocking previous top dog Napoleon off the podium.

The film stars Brad Pitt as a washed-up F1 driver pulled back into the fast lane to mentor a rising star, and people are here for it. It’s not just a box office win; it’s also a full-blown crowd-pleaser.

F1-The Movie: Brad Pitt in the Driver’s Seat

In a role that seems tailor-made for him, Pitt plays a retired Formula One legend who’s got more grit than glory left in him. The character? Flawed but magnetic. The vibe? Think Creed meets Top Gun on a racetrack.

What sells it, though, are the gorgeous, adrenaline-fueled race scenes shot on actual F1 circuits during the 2024 season. There’s not a whiff of cheesy CGI; the film feels real, down to the roar of the engines and the blur of speed as cars whip past the camera.

Oh, and Lewis Hamilton doesn’t just make a cameo, he executive-produced the whole thing. That’s a big reason why the movie nails the tone, the culture, and the subtle complexities of life inside the paddock. You can tell someone who lives that F1 was guiding the wheel behind the scenes.

Big Budget, Bigger Gamble

Here’s the kicker: this movie reportedly cost over $350 million to make. Yep, that’s a jaw-dropper. While the opening weekend numbers are a win, the film still has a long way to go before it even breaks in terms of profitability.

That said, the hype is real. And with Formula One’s massive global fanbase, especially in countries like the UK, Italy, Brazil, and Japan, the international box office could easily give the film another jolt of speed.

Fans Are Loving It, And Critics Too

So far, reviews are leaning positive. Critics have shouted out the practical effects, calling the racing sequences some of the best ever put on film. Fans? They’re into the emotional depth Brad Pitt brings; he’s not just a hotshot in a helmet; he’s broken, bitter, and believable.

What’s winning over longtime F1 fans, though, is the authenticity. The movie doesn’t dumb things down. It gets the little things right, the team dynamics, the stress, and the toll driving takes on the body. It’s not just cars going vroom; it’s storytelling with stakes.

Apple’s High-Speed Victory Lap

For Apple Studios, this movie is a statement. After prestige fare like CODA and Killers of the Flower Moon, F1: The Movie shows they’re ready to go big-budget and mainstream without losing quality.

And maybe, just maybe, this film will jumpstart the racing movie genre again. It’s been a while since we had a hit in that lane (Ford v Ferrari was in 2019), but with this kind of buzz, who’s to say Hollywood won’t greenlight a few more?

What’s Next?

The movie’s still rolling out across several key markets, and word-of-mouth seems strong. There’s chatter about award season, not to mention streaming deals and merch that could keep the engine running long after it leaves theaters.

Will it make its money back? It’s too soon to tell. But even if it doesn’t break even, F1-The Movie has already left a mark, both on Apple’s resume and on the way Formula One is viewed by a wider audience.