‘F1: The Movie’ Speeds Past Expectations to Dominate U.S. Box Office: The adrenaline-fueled racing drama F1: The Movie surged to the top of the domestic box office over the weekend, delivering a powerful debut, according to data from Comscore.
Brad Pitt’s High-Speed Return Drives Big Numbers
Starring Brad Pitt as a veteran Formula 1 driver making a dramatic comeback after a near-fatal crash, the film pulled in a strong $55.6 million across theaters in the United States and Canada. That performance exceeded early projections, which placed its opening between $45 million and $55 million, as per The Boxoffice Company.
Global Success Fueled by F1’s International Appeal
On a global scale, F1: The Movie has raked in over $88 million, driven by Formula 1’s massive following across Europe and Latin America.
While most racing-focused films have historically struggled to find large theatrical audiences, F1 seems to be breaking that trend. The last major standout, Ford v Ferrari, opened to a much smaller $31 million back in November 2019.
A Rare Victory for the Racing Genre
“The racing genre has rarely seen blockbuster-level success,” said Daniel Loria, senior vice president at The Boxoffice Company. “It’s not often that we get a racing film that actually connects with mainstream audiences.”
One major exception remains the Fast & Furious franchise, which long ago moved beyond racing into high-octane heists, global espionage, and even trips to space.
Big Names and Big Vision Behind the Wheel
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, the film brings a visually striking and intense portrayal of the world of Formula 1. The same cinematic flair seen in fighter jet dogfights has now been translated into racetrack drama, giving audiences a full-throttle movie experience.
Netflix and Apple Fuel Audience Interest
Formula 1’s popularity in the U.S. has been on the rise thanks in part to Netflix’s hit docuseries Drive to Survive. That momentum clearly benefited F1: The Movie, which also saw a heavy marketing push from Apple.
Produced as an Apple Original Film, the project reportedly cost over $200 million, according to Variety. Apple went all-in, promoting the film during Tim Cook’s keynote at the Worldwide Developers Conference and even offering discounts for iPhone users. Apple Music further boosted buzz by promoting the movie’s soundtrack.
A Major Theatrical Win for Apple
F1: The Movie represents a big swing for Apple in the theatrical space. Previous projects like Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, received strong critical reception but brought in only $68 million domestically.
This latest success positions Apple as a serious player not just in streaming, but in big-budget, crowd-pleasing cinema.
