Formula 1 starts with $55 million, making it Apple’s top box office hit

Apple TV+ stepping into the big-screen world, they hit a major milestone with their latest release, “F1 The Movie.” This action-packed film raked in an impressive $55.6 million in North American theaters and a whopping $144 million globally over the weekend. It’s an exciting win for Apple, marking their biggest box-office opening to date.

Despite a mixed track record in theaters, with notable successes like “CODA” and some misses like “Argylle,” Apple’s latest venture, “F1,” has revved up a lot of buzz. With a star-studded cast including Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Kerry Condon, this movie was Apple’s ticket into summer blockbuster territory. Collaborating with Warner Bros., Apple ensured this film would be a thrilling ride.

Taking a page from the success of the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series, “F1” capitalized on the motorsport hype and put audiences in the driver’s seat with thrilling IMAX camera moments. In fact, IMAX and large-format screens made up 55% of ticket sales, proving that audiences wanted the full, immersive experience.

Overseas, where Formula 1 racing enjoys a strong following, “F1” was also expected to perform well. With a global launch of $144 million, it marked Brad Pitt’s biggest opening weekend. Reviews for the film have been positive, and audiences have given it an “A” rating via CinemaScore, hinting at strong legs in the weeks to come.

While competing films like “Jurassic World Rebirth” are gearing up for release, “F1” seems poised to hold its ground in the box office race. Analysts praise Warner Bros. for making “F1” a cinematic event and boosting Apple’s brand through its success.

Despite facing stiff competition from movies like “M3gan 2.0,” “F1” has zoomed ahead at the box office, proving that Apple’s move into big-screen entertainment is paying off. Stay tuned for more updates on how “F1” continues to race ahead in the weeks to come.