F1 The Movie Races to Streaming Success After Record-Breaking Box Office Run

Introduction: A Cinematic Triumph for Formula One

F1 (marketed as F1 the Movie) is a 2025 American sports drama film starring Brad Pitt as Formula One (F1) racing driver Sonny Hayes, who returns after a 30-year absence to save his former teammate’s underdog team, APXGP, from collapse. The film has become a cultural phenomenon, bridging the gap between motorsport enthusiasts and mainstream cinema audiences, whilst demonstrating Apple Studios’ commitment to high-budget theatrical releases.

Box Office Success and Streaming Debut

F1 has grossed $189.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $441.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $631.4 million. In early August, it became the highest-grossing Brad Pitt film in history, surpassing the $540 million theatrical run of World War Z (2013). Following its theatrical success, within just a single day of its streaming release on Apple TV, F1 is already the number one streaming film in nearly 100 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Critical Reception and Creative Team

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 82% of 358 critics’ reviews are positive. The website’s consensus reads: “Driven by Brad Pitt’s laidback magnetism and sporting a souped-up engine courtesy of Joseph Kosinski’s kinetic direction, F1 the Movie brings vintage cool across the finish line.” The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, reuniting the creative team behind Top Gun: Maverick, with F1 driver Lewis Hamilton also involved in the film as both a producer and actor.

Conclusion: Future Prospects and Industry Impact

Opening to $146.3 million worldwide, the film is considered to be Apple Studios’s first box office hit, and the first film from the studio to top the box office on its opening weekend. The film’s success has sparked discussions about a potential sequel, with Kosinski confirming to Variety in November 2025 that they are talking to Apple about potentially working out a franchise. For audiences, F1 The Movie represents a milestone in sports cinema, combining cutting-edge cinematography with authentic racing action filmed at actual Formula One events. Its availability on Apple TV ensures that this high-octane drama will continue to attract new audiences and solidify its place as a landmark achievement in motorsport filmmaking.