97% on Rotten Tomatoes and $600 million box office: Apple's 'F1' film surprised everyone
Apple's bet on the big screen has worked. "F1: The Movie", where Brad Pitt returns to the racing suit, exceeded $600 million in worldwide box office receipts and became the company's most successful film in cinemas.
Here's What We Know
The film had a budget of around $250 million and initially predictions were cautious. But the result exceeded even optimistic expectations: the project became not only Apple's highest-grossing film, but also a new record for Pitt. It is his most profitable work at the box office (if you don't count inflation).
The plot revolves around Sonny Hayes (Pitt), who comes out of sports retirement to help a young driver (Damson Idris) on an outsider APX GP team. Their goal is to get a win, without which the team will lose funding. Filming took place right during the actual F1 races of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, making the races on screen look particularly spectacular.
The film is already available to buy and rent on online services, but the company is keeping the release date on Apple TV+ a secret for now. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a high 97% rating and "Certified Fresh" status, and critics are calling it one of the top blockbusters of the year.
Context
Interestingly, Apple has recently relied on streaming and limited distribution in cinemas. Now the success of "F1" gives hope to the film industry: perhaps the company will return to more major releases. For struggling cinemas, that would be a real boon.
Source: Deadline
