Apple's film "F1" surpasses Napoleon as its top earner, raking in $293 million.
In the world of tech giants turning to Hollywood, Apple's latest venture, **"F1: The Movie"**, has proven to be a significant success. After just ten days of release, the film has generated over $293 million globally, surpassing Apple's previous theatrical releases, such as Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" ($221 million) and Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" ($158 million)[1].
Domestically, "F1: The Movie" has made a strong impression, earning over $100 million in the US[1]. The film, starring Brad Pitt as a has-been Formula One driver, has been a hit with audiences, particularly on IMAX screens, which accounted for approximately 20% of the global revenue[1][3]. In the US alone, 23% of ticket sales came from premium IMAX screenings[3].
The film's success is a stark contrast to other Apple Studios releases like "Fly Me to the Moon" ($42 million) and "Argylle" ($96 million), which underperformed at the box office[1]. Despite the impressive gross, "F1: The Movie" has not yet fully recouped its high production and marketing costs, estimated at over $350 million[1].
"F1: The Movie" has faced strong competition from films like "Jurassic World Rebirth", "Superman", and "Fantastic Four: The First Steps". However, its positive word-of-mouth and international appeal have contributed to its staying power[1]. As of now, the film has earned $109.5 million outside of the United States and Canada[1].
Apple's future film strategy won't hinge solely on the success of "F1: The Movie". The tech giant has already experienced success on the small screen with shows like "Severance" and "Ted Lasso" on AppleTV+[4]. The company is expected to release the film on its streaming platform later in 2025 to further boost its returns[1].
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also helmed "Top Gun: Maverick", "F1: The Movie" has undeniably marked a step in the right direction for Apple's theatrical ambitions[5]. Whether it will lead to a continued focus on big-screen productions or a return to television remains to be seen.
[1] Variety, "Apple's 'F1' Movie Crosses $200 Million at Global Box Office", 2025. [2] Box Office Mojo, "F1: The Movie (2025)", 2025. [3] Deadline Hollywood, "IMAX Reports Record-Breaking Weekend for Apple's 'F1: The Movie'", 2025. [4] The Hollywood Reporter, "AppleTV+ Renews 'Severance' for a Second Season", 2024. [5] The Wrap, "Joseph Kosinski on Directing 'F1: The Movie' for Apple", 2024.
In the realm of Apple's ventures into movies-and-tv entertainment, the success of "F1: The Movie" has been unprecedented, generating over $293 million globally. Domestically, the film has made a significant impact, especially on IMAX screens, bringing in over $100 million in the US.
