Apple Scores $144M Global Box Office Debut with F1

Apple's film "F1," starring Brad Pitt, has achieved a major box office success, grossing $55.6 million domestically and $144 million worldwide during its opening weekend, marking Apple's biggest theatrical launch to date. The film, with a production budget reportedly exceeding $200 million, was distributed by Warner Bros. and benefited from Apple's extensive corporate support and cross-marketing efforts, including promotion by CEO Tim Cook and F1 champion Lewis Hamilton. "F1" outperformed expectations, dominating the box office in 74 of 78 international markets and excelling particularly in Europe, the UK, and IMAX screenings, where technology innovations enhanced the realistic racing experience. While the film's strong global reception signals a promising direction for Apple's theatrical strategy, industry analysts caution that profitability remains uncertain given the high production and promotional costs. The success of "F1" contrasts with Apple's previous mixed theatrical results and leverages the popularity of Formula 1 fandom and the expertise of the "Top Gun: Maverick" creative team to deliver an adrenaline-fueled, critically acclaimed summer blockbuster.