F1: The Movie races to top spot at the box office

That includes $55.6 million in the United States, with $25 million of that coming on the movie's opening day Friday, according to The Numbers. The F1 movie, which stars Brad Pitt and was executive-produced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, was filmed at F1 racetracks through the 2024 season.

Pitt plays an F1 driver who comes out of retirement to help a struggling team while also mentoring an up-and-coming young driver.

According to Forbes, "F1: The Movie" outpaced "Napoleon" ($78.8 million in 2023) for the biggest opening weekend ever for an Apple Studios film. However, with the cost of making "F1: The Movie" reportedly topping $350 million, it will need a continued run of success at the box office to make money.

Filmed during actual Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, the action-packed drama, featuring Damson Idris and Javier Bardem, has been praised for its immersive racing sequences and Pitt’s magnetic performance, earning an 89% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite a $200–300 million budget, F1 has captivated audiences, dominating IMAX screenings and setting a new benchmark for motorsport cinema reports Reuters.

Paul Hanaphy in his review: The highly anticipated Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt has exceeded expectations, delivering a visceral, visually stunning depiction of motorsport that will appeal to both hardcore fans and newcomers.

The film wastes no time with technical explanations, instead diving head-first into white-hot racing action. Director Joseph Kosinski captures the essence of F1 with impressive realism—thanks in part to cameos from Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and team bosses like Toto Wolff and Zak Brown.

While the plot follows a familiar underdog-versus-veteran arc, its execution is immersive and slick, especially in IMAX. Some F1 purists may take issue with exaggerated crashes and reused archive footage, but the film’s authenticity and behind-the-scenes access shine throughout.

Clocking in at over two hours, it occasionally drags, but for fans of the sport, this is essential viewing. The F1 movie opens in cinemas worldwide from June 25, 2025. Read the full review here>>>