‘Formula 1’ Film Starring Brad Pitt Drives Apple To Box Office success
The green light has been lit, and the race has begun, not on a circuit, but in movie theaters around the world. The “F1” film, a high-budget drama starring Brad Pitt, has debuted strongly at the American box office by raising 51.7 million euros (equivalent to 55.6 million dollars) in its first weekend, according to Variety.
It’s a historic moment for Apple, as this film marks their first major commercial success in movie theaters. apple has invested heavily in original content, and the performance of this “F1” film is a welcome validation.
The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top gun: Maverick), has garnered excellent reviews and an “A” rating in Cinemascore surveys, indicating a strong public reception. At the international box office, the film has earned another 82.2 million euros (88.4 million dollars) across 78 markets, reaching a global total of 133.9 million euros (144 million dollars) in just three days.
“F1” tells the story of a former formula 1 pilot, played by Brad Pitt, who returns to the competition, rescued by Javier Bardem, to train a young talent, interpreted by Damson Idris, and revitalize a team in crisis. Despite not being part of any pre-existing film franchise, the film has managed to generate significant interest. This “F1” film’s appeal extends to fans of Brad Pitt and the high-octane world of Formula 1 racing.
Jamie Erlicht, responsible for Apple’s global video, expressed excitement about the results: “We are delighted with the global response to “F1″ and grateful to the public who has embraced the film with such enthusiasm. This success is a testament to Joe’s vision [Kosinski], Jerry [Bruckheimer], Brad [Pitt], and Lewis [Hamilton], along with the hard work of the entire team. They have created an inspiring film experience that reflects the energy and spirit of Formula 1,” he said.
The success of “F1” is especially meaningful for Apple, which fully funded the project with a budget estimated between 186 and 279 million euros (200 and 300 million dollars), excluding global promotion costs. Since Apple lacks its own film distributor, it partnered with Warner Bros., who handled the film’s theatrical release and will receive a growing share of the income based on predetermined box office milestones.
Unlike traditional studios, Apple doesn’t directly rely on box office revenue to justify its investments. The company views audiovisual content as a marketing tool for its technological ecosystem and its Apple TV+ platform. For instance, Apple promoted the “F1” trailer on the main screen of its streaming service and sent notifications to iPhone users offering discounts on tickets.
Despite this, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has clarified that he does not view these projects as a means to boost device sales: “I don’t think I will sell more iPhones for this. We are in the entertainment world to tell great stories, and we also want it to be a good business.”
Until now, Apple’s attempts to achieve success on the big screen had been partially unsuccessful. Films such as Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon or Ridley Scott’s napoleon failed to recoup their large budgets through box office earnings. While “Coda,” released directly on streaming, won the Oscar for Best Film, it did not generate significant economic benefits. In this context, “F1” represents Apple’s most robust endeavor to break into the realm of major blockbusters.
“A lot in this movie seems simple,as if it were a guaranteed success,but it is not,” says David A. Gross, consultant for the FranchiseRe firm. “movies about sports,and especially those about motoring,have a very uneven history. But this time, everything is working.”
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton have promoted “F1” as the most authentic film about motoring. The production team utilized the latest IMAX cameras and filmed during several real world championship races, from Silverstone to Abu Dhabi. Brad Pitt even drove at speeds exceeding 290 km/h. This realism has been a major draw for the public, and premium theaters accounted for 55% of national sales, with IMAX contributing 25.7 million euros (27.7 million dollars), or 19% of the total.
“With the most realistic racing sequences ever filmed, “F1″ demands to be seen in IMAX, and the public has understood perfectly,” explained Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “Kosinski and Bruckheimer have pushed our technology to new frontiers.”
While “F1” solidified its top position at the box office, its competitors were relegated. “M3GAN 2.0,” the sequel to the popular horror film, remained in fourth place with a global collection of just 15.8 million euros (17 million dollars), falling short of the 42 million euros achieved by the first installment in its debut. Although its budget is modest at 23.2 million euros, its tepid reception suggests that the original viral phenomenon has not been sustained.
“How To Train Your Dragon” fell to second place, adding 18.1 million euros in its third weekend, and “Elio,” from Pixar, continues to struggle, barely reaching 67.8 million euros worldwide, far from covering its budget of 139.5 million.
The Enduring Appeal of Formula 1 Films
Formula 1 racing has always been a captivating subject for cinema. The blend of high-speed action, technological innovation, and intense competition creates a natural backdrop for compelling stories. Successful Formula 1 films often capture the essence of this exhilarating sport. They offer audiences a glimpse into the lives of drivers, the challenges they face, and the sacrifices they make. The latest “F1” movie looks set to continue this trend and maybe start a new one.
The presence of big named actors like Brad pitt will always help to get people interested in a film about sports and in particular, motor sports. this combined with state of the art equipment, used in real F1 races, will undoubtedly help contribute to the enduring success of the “F1” movie.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ‘F1’ Film
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What is the F1 film about?
The F1 film tells the story of a former Formula 1 driver, portrayed by Brad Pitt, who returns to the sport to mentor a young talent and revive a struggling team.
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How much has the F1 film earned so far?
The F1 film has grossed $55.6 million in the american box office and $88.4 million internationally, totaling $144 million worldwide in its first three days.
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Why is the success of the Brad Pitt F1 film critically importent for Apple?
The success of the F1 film is significant for Apple as it represents their first major commercial hit in cinemas, following previous attempts that did not fully cover their budgets.
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What is Apple’s strategy behind producing films like the F1 movie?
Apple views its audiovisual content, including the F1 movie, as a marketing tool for its technological ecosystem and its Apple TV+ platform, rather than solely relying on box office revenue.
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What makes the F1 film authentic?
The F1 film is promoted as the most authentic film about motoring, featuring realistic racing sequences filmed at real world championship races using the latest IMAX cameras.
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Who are the key people working on the movie about F1?
Brad Pitt stars in the F1 movie,which is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
What are your thoughts on the new “F1” film? Share your comments below and let us know if you plan to see it!
