Brad Pitt’s “F1: The Movie” Blazes to $144M Global Box Office, Nearly Doubling Forecasts

Brad Pitt’s F1: The Movie roared onto the global box office scene with a stunning USD 144 million in its opening weekend—nearly double the USD 80 million analysts had forecasted pre-launch. The film earned USD 55.6 million in North America alone—the highest debut for any Apple Original theatrical release—and an additional USD 88–88.4 million from international markets.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by heavyweights including Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the movie casts Brad Pitt as a retired F1 racer mounting a comeback.

Capitalizing on Formula 1’s surging popularity—boosted by Netflix’s Drive to Survive—the film drew fans worldwide and earned Apple its first big summer blockbuster

A key highlight was the IMAX experience: more than half of the domestic ticket sales came from IMAX screenings, thanks to immersive cockpit-mounted cameras and high-octane visuals. Industry analysts noted the perfect mix of star power, quality direction, and aggressive marketing—spanning iPhone alerts, Apple Maps promos, and trailers shown at Super Bowl LIX.

While its USD 200–300 million production budget means profits are still on the horizon, the early blockbuster nature and strong CinemaScore “A” grade point to solid box office legs when Jurassic World: Rebirth arrives.

Nearly twice the forecasted USD 80 million

Apple Original Films’ largest ever theatrical debut

Brad Pitt’s career-best weekend opener

Brand lift: Apple cements its credentials in theatrical tentpole releases.

Strategic wins: IMAX-driven visuals and Formula 1 fanbase tapped into modern blockbuster tactics.

Momentum pipeline: Strong audience response and critical attention set it up to go head-to-head with major upcoming titles like Jurassic World: Rebirth.