Apple’s high-octane 'F1: The Movie' surges to the top of North American box office charts

Apple’s latest blockbuster, “F1: The Movie”, raced to No. 1 in U.S. and Canada cinemas this past weekend, pulling in an impressive $55.6 million, according to Comscore. The film—starring Brad Pitt as a retired Formula 1 driver making a dramatic return to the sport—exceeded industry expectations that ranged from $45–$55 million.

Globally, the picture has already sprinted to $144 million, with the majority of its international haul coming from Europe and Latin America, where F1 enjoys a massive following. To put that in perspective, the movie spent north of $200 million in production, excluding marketing costs, meaning it must continue its winning streak to turn a profit.

Experts believe “F1: The Movie” cracked the code for racing films, which historically struggle compared to action franchises like “Fast & Furious”. Its director, Joseph Kosinski, leaned on the technical flair that made “Top Gun: Maverick” a hit, while audience feedback earned top marks—an “A” CinemaScore grade.

The hit is also riding momentum from Netflix’s “Drive to Survive”, which helped ignite U.S. interest in Formula 1, and Apple’s own promotional heft. The tech giant promoted the film across products and platforms—highlights included mentions during Apple’s WWDC keynote, soundtrack drops on Apple Music, and even exclusive ticket discounts for iPhone users.

Warner Bros., which handles global theatrical distribution, combined efforts with Apple to highlight Lewis Hamilton—F1 world champion and co-producer—for international audiences, while leaning into Pitt's appeal domestically. The result? A synced campaign that has delivered Apple’s most successful theater rollout to date.