Brad Pitt’s latest film, F1, is already making waves at the box office. The sports drama features Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a driver making a grand return to the racetrack after a lengthy absence. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem.
Distributed by Warner Bros. and Apple Studios, with Apple serving as the lead production company, F1 benefits from support by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which contributed existing race footage to enhance the film’s authenticity.
Just days after its release, F1 has already surpassed the $250 million mark worldwide. Its international gross stands at $184.1 million, while it has secured $109.5 million domestically, totaling $293.6 million globally. Remarkably, it is the first Apple Studios film to achieve this feat, showing resilience with only a 44% global drop during its second weekend. This momentum suggests it will continue to perform well in the upcoming weeks.
Implications for F1 and Apple
Apple’s Challenges in Theaters
While Apple has invested heavily in theatrical productions, the studio has yet to find a major box office hit. In just ten days, F1 has already become Apple’s highest-grossing film, outpacing previous ventures like Argylle, Fly Me to the Moon, and Wolfwalkers. The studio struggled with distribution and marketing limitations, often resulting in limited screens or direct releases on Apple TV+.
In comparison, Apple’s second-highest-grossing film, Napoleon, grossed $218 million, followed by Killers of the Flower Moon earning $156 million. This makes F1 a much-needed success for Apple, signifying a shift in the studio’s box office prospects.
Analyzing F1‘s Box Office Milestone
Profitability Challenges Ahead
Generally, films need to gross 2.5 times their production budget to cover marketing and distributor cuts successfully. With its current performance, F1 must earn between $500 million and $750 million to achieve profitability, depending on final costs. While reaching $500 million is feasible, the higher threshold seems ambitious.
The landscape has shifted, however, as streaming platforms like Apple TV+ offer an additional revenue stream. Even if F1 struggles theatrically, its success on streaming could bolster Apple’s overall fortunes. The film’s current box office achievements should already reflect positively for the company’s growing ambitions.
For fans of cinematic triumphs, F1 offers an electrifying experience together with a glimpse into Apple’s potential rejuvenation in the competitive film market, reinforcing the idea that the studio’s future may yet shine brightly.