Brad Pitt’s action-packed sports thriller F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski, has soared with a strong opening at the international box office. Released theatrically on June 27, the film has surpassed initial estimates and is now Apple Original Films’ largest theatrical opener so far.
International Box Office: $144 Million and Rising
F1 took in a staggering $144 million globally on its first weekend. North America alone added up to $55.6 million from Thursday to Sunday, including the $10 million in previews. Overseas, it took in $88.4 million from 78 territories and led the box office in 74 of them. Top contributors are the UK ($9.2M), China ($9M), Mexico ($6.7M), and India ($2.8M). F1 nearly doubled the $80 million pre-release estimate, indicating high audience interest and word of mouth.
Positive Reception But Tough Competition Ahead
With a phenomenal “A” CinemaScore and 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, F1 is riding great word-of-mouth. Some analysts now project that it might speed past $600 million worldwide, although conservative estimates put it around $425 million. That being said, the film will have intense competition from future summer blockbusters such as Jurassic World: Rebirth and Superman, which may affect its momentum.
Also Read: F1 Box Office Collection Day 1: Brad Pitt’s Film Hits the Track with Rs 5.25 Crore
$500 Million Required for Theatrical Break-Even
The production cost of the movie is put at $200–250 million, and marketing costs at $125 million, making it close to $350 million. Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier, F1 needs to gross a minimum of $500 million worldwide to break even theatrically. Though $40 million of product placement and tax rebates alleviate some pressure, steady box office is essential. As an Apple Original, eventual streaming on Apple TV+ could provide long-term value, but its theatrical run is central to its short-term success.
