Apple has finally found its stride in the theatrical race, with Brad Pitt’s high-octane Formula One drama, F1, roaring to an impressive $55.6 million domestic opening weekend, according to variety.com. This marks the tech giant’s first bona fide box office hit, laying the groundwork for a potentially profitable future in the competitive film industry.
Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, F1 defied expectations for an original, adult-skewing tentpole, garnering an additional $88.4 million internationally for a robust global debut of $144 million. This strong performance is a testament to the film’s positive reviews and an “A” CinemaScore from audiences, signaling strong word-of-mouth ahead. Apple, which financed the roughly $250 million production, partnered with Warner Bros. for distribution, a strategic move to leverage established theatrical expertise.
While F1 sped ahead, the horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 struggled to ignite, debuting with a disappointing $10.2 million domestically and $17 million worldwide. The film, a follow-up to 2023’s viral sensation, failed to recapture the original’s momentum, suggesting the murderous AI doll might have been a one-off phenomenon rather than a franchise cornerstone.
This weekend’s results highlight a shifting landscape at the box office, where original, quality content can still break through. F1 now has a clear path to becoming Apple’s highest-grossing film, surpassing previous efforts like Killers of the Flower Moon ($158 million worldwide) and Napoleon ($221 million worldwide). Industry analysts, including David A. Gross of FranchiseRe, are optimistic, noting that despite the mixed track record of sports dramas, “everything is working” for F1.
