Apple’s F1 Opens $55M North America, $144M Global

Apple Studios has achieved its biggest box-office success with "F1 The Movie," which debuted to $55.6 million in North American theaters and $144 million globally, marking a record opening for the company. The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, and leverages the popularity of the "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" series, featuring immersive IMAX footage that accounted for over half of its domestic gross. Despite a hefty production budget estimated between $200 million and $250 million, the film's strong opening weekend, critical acclaim with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, and an A CinemaScore suggest positive momentum for profitability. The movie's demographic breakdown shows a diverse audience, with a majority male viewership, and its release positions Apple firmly in the summer blockbuster arena through a partnership with Warner Bros. Industry analysts highlight the comprehensive marketing campaign and the film's ability to revive interest in car racing movies, a genre that historically struggles at the box office. Upcoming competition includes Universal's "Jurassic World: Rebirth," but "F1" currently leads the market, outperforming other recent releases such as "How to Train Your Dragon" and "M3GAN 2.0."