F1 The Movie, directed by Top Gun: Maverick‘s Joseph Kosinski and featuring Brad Pitt as the fictional Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes, is quickly becoming one of Pitt’s most successful films. Hayes, a driver who makes a comeback to racing after a previous accident had halted his career, is at the center of the film’s plot.
The premiere of F1 The Movie on June 27 marked a significant milestone with a domestic opening of $57 million, setting a record for the highest-grossing debut weekend for an Apple Studios film.
According to Deadline, by the morning of its second Saturday, F1 The Movie is expected to accumulate between $24 and $25 million domestically over the three-day span, bringing its total domestic earnings to approximately $109 million. This achievement places the movie among the top nine films of the year to eclipse the $100 million mark domestically.
This impressive sum will also position F1 The Movie as the 12th highest-grossing domestic film in Brad Pitt’s career, surpassing several of his other well-known films such as Interview with the Vampire ($105.3 million), Se7en ($100.9 million), Moneyball ($75.6 million), and Thelma & Louise ($45.4 million).
Implications for F1 The Movie
Potential to Rank Among Brad Pitt’s Top 5 Domestic Films
The future trajectory for F1 The Movie in terms of box office rankings within Brad Pitt’s filmography remains uncertain. Yet, it has a tangible chance of entering his top 10 highest-grossing domestic films. To achieve this, it needs to surpass the domestic gross of Inglourious Basterds, which stands at $120.8 million, necessitating an additional $12 million approximately.
With a drop of about 55% in its second weekend, similar to its third weekend projection, the film is expected to earn another $11 million around by July 13, indicating a strong likelihood of it securing a spot in the top 10. Advancing into the top 5, however, will be more challenging.
Here’s a comparison of Brad Pitt’s films that currently sit between F1 The Movie and the fifth spot:
|
Rank
|
Title
|
Domestic Box Office
|
|---|---|---|
|
#5
|
Megamind (2010)
|
$148.4 million
|
|
#6
|
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
|
$142.5 million
|
|
#7
|
Troy (2004)
|
$133.3 million
|
|
#8
|
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
|
$127.5 million
|
|
#9
|
Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
|
$125.5 million
|
|
#10
|
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
|
$120.8 million
|
|
#11
|
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
|
$117.1 million
|
|
#12
|
F1 The Movie (2025)
|
~$109 million
|
To rise above Megamind and secure the fifth spot on Brad Pitt’s list, F1 The Movie needs an additional $40 million. While this goal is ambitious, it could take at least another month or more to achieve, especially given the stiff competition it faces with major releases like Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps all vying for audience attention in July.
Our Perspective on the F1 The Movie Milestone
A Remarkable Performance for an Apple Studios Release
Despite a substantial production budget reported to be between $200 and $300 million, the domestic performance of F1 The Movie is notable. It’s important to consider that Apple Studios doesn’t solely depend on box office returns as they also utilize theatrical releases to boost brand visibility and promote subsequent streaming on Apple TV+.
Furthermore, F1 The Movie stands out as Apple Studios’ biggest hit to date, surpassing all but two of their prior releases in domestic gross. This milestone underscores the film’s success not just as a project in isolation but as a significant achievement within the broader Apple Studios portfolio.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
