Apple’s Formula 1-themed drama F1: The Movie surged to the top of the U.S. and Canadian box office the weekend, collecting $55.6 million in ticket sales and marking the company’s most successful cinematic opening to date, according to data from Comscore.
Starring Brad Pitt as a veteran Formula 1 driver making a comeback after a near-fatal crash, the film exceeded industry expectations, which projected a domestic debut between $45 million and $55 million. Globally, the film raced past $88 million, bolstered by a loyal fan base in Europe and Latin America.
The film's strong performance places it ahead of previous racing dramas, including the critically acclaimed Ford v Ferrari, which debuted with $31 million in 2019. While car racing films have historically struggled to draw large audiences, F1 appears to have broadened its appeal beyond motorsport enthusiasts.
Director Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, applied a similar high-octane style to F1, immersing viewers in the speed and spectacle of professional racing. Audiences responded enthusiastically, with CinemaScore polls awarding the film an 'A' rating.
Industry experts point to a combination of star power, smart timing, and cross-platform promotion as key contributors to the film’s success. Apple invested heavily in marketing the $200 million production, using its ecosystem to drive engagement. The tech giant promoted F1 during CEO Tim Cook’s keynote at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, offered iPhone users a discount on tickets, and featured the film’s soundtrack across Apple Music.
Warner Bros., which handled marketing and distribution, tailored its strategy by highlighting Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in international markets while leaning on Brad Pitt’s global recognition to lead the U.S. campaign.
“It’s very much like a perfectly coordinated pit crew in a race,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “They shot this thing off the starting line with great success.”
Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive series has also been credited with expanding Formula 1’s popularity in the United States, providing a cultural runway for F1: The Movie to resonate with a broader audience.
Apple's previous theatrical efforts, such as Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, received critical praise but modest box office returns. F1 now marks a turning point for Apple Original Films in terms of commercial viability.
“The film’s outstanding debut reflects both the excitement of Formula 1 and the deeply emotional and entertaining story crafted by the entire cast and creative team,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of worldwide video, in a statement.
With a strong launch and positive audience feedback, F1: The Movie is poised to maintain momentum heading into the summer season, potentially signaling a new era for Apple’s ambitions in theatrical cinema.
Russia remains in constant contact with Venezuela over tensions in the Caribbean, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Tuesday....
David Beckham, one of Britain's most celebrated soccer players, was knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, recognising his decades-lon...
A wheat-loaded train has traveled to Armenia through Azerbaijan, APA reports, following President Ilham Aliyev’s announcement in Kazakhstan about li...
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi that hit the central Philippines on Tuesday has risen to 39 on the island of Cebu, a local government official sa...
Within the framework of the 'Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty,' and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press...
David Beckham, one of Britain's most celebrated soccer players, was knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, recognising his decades-long contribution to sport and charitable causes.
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi that hit the central Philippines on Tuesday has risen to 39 on the island of Cebu, a local government official said.
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will choose their next governors on Tuesday in two crucial races that will serve as an early indicator of how the American electorate is responding to President Donald Trump's unprecedented nine months in office.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced a major acceleration in Türkiye’s defence ambitions, pledging to move forward rapidly with homegrown projects and strengthen cooperation with Europe.
Russia said on Monday that its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for over a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.
At least 37 people have died and five are missing after devastating floods and landslides hit central Vietnam, officials said Monday, as a new typhoon threatens to worsen the disaster.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe the United States is going to war with Venezuela despite growing tensions, though he suggested President Nicolás Maduro’s time in power may be nearing its end.
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead, hundreds injured, and causing significant damage to the city’s famed Blue Mosque, authorities said, warning that the death toll was expected to rise.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan vowed on Monday to move on from deadly protests set off by last week's disputed election as she was sworn into office for her first elected term.
David Beckham, one of Britain's most celebrated soccer players, was knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, recognising his decades-long contribution to sport and charitable causes.
English actor Jonathan Bailey, who returns to movie theatres this month in the musical film "Wicked: For Good," was named this year's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine on Monday (3 November).
Egypt has inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Great Pyramid of Giza, unveiling the world’s largest archaeological museum and a modern cultural landmark celebrating over 7,000 years of history.
The official opening of the Art Weekend festival took place on 31 October at the Heydar Aliyev Center, bringing together artists, curators, and cultural figures from around the world.
Egypt will open the long-delayed $1 billion (about £820 million) Grand Egyptian Museum on Saturday, unveiling the world’s largest archaeological complex dedicated to a single civilisation after more than 20 years of planning and construction.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment