Apple’s “F1: The Movie” has raced to the top of the box office, grossing an impressive $293 million globally.
#F1 just raced past $300M at global #boxoffice and is on track to surpass $400M and $500M barriers too! #F1TheMovie
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) July 7, 2025
This makes it the highest-grossing theatrical release for the tech giant, surpassing its previous hits like “Napoleon” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
#F1 finished in 2nd place behind those dinos with $26.1M this wknd, down 54% in 2nd lap. 10-day #boxoffice is $109.5M beating $103.4M final of last #BradPitt summer movie Bullet Train. Intl hot for #F1TheMovie with $56.3M wknd, $184.1M cume putting global at $293.6M. Heading to…
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) July 6, 2025
The film, which stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, has been a strategic move for Apple as it aims to boost its influence in the film industry. Despite the high production costs, estimated between $200 million and $300 million, and a substantial marketing budget of around $100 million, “F1” has proven to be a success.
A significant portion of the film’s earnings, about $60 million or 20%, has come from IMAX theaters.
Zooming to the front of the pack is @sarahwhit10 for @CNBC with super speedy reporting on the significance of the success of #F1TheMovie @F1Movie for @Apple @AppleTV – https://t.co/xvfkrYuFf4 – #F1 is an extremely important movie for #Apple and for the industry at large,” said…
— Paul Dergarabedian (@PDergarabedian) July 7, 2025
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, emphasized the importance of “F1” for Apple, showcasing how a streaming service can create a film tailored for big-screen success while leveraging its vast technological reach for promotion.
Apple’s box office triumph
Apple’s collaboration with IMAX played a crucial role in the film’s achievement.
In #China’s #BoxOffice, racing film #F1TheMovie keeps living the dream like a phoenix rising from the ashes!#BradPitt’s #F1 still benefiting from WOM grossed $1.4M on 2nd TUE, just a -17.6% drop from first TUE over 34k screenings (-5k from last TUE, but +4k from yesterday), for… pic.twitter.com/63MhYmurW7
— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) July 8, 2025
The use of IMAX’s camera technology and a three-week exclusive release in IMAX theaters significantly contributed to its box office performance. While Apple’s primary focus remains on its tech devices, the company’s venture into entertainment with high-quality content like “F1,” along with its award-winning shows such as “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” reflects its growing influence in the pop culture landscape.
Apple services chief Eddy Cue highlighted the profitability and business potential of their media ventures, emphasizing that the company’s investments in entertainment are not merely to support hardware sales but to establish a sustainable and successful business in the entertainment industry. The success of “F1: The Movie” marks a significant milestone for Apple, demonstrating its ability to produce blockbuster films and challenge traditional Hollywood studios. As the company continues to invest in original content, it will be interesting to see how Apple’s presence in the entertainment industry evolves and impacts the streaming market.