BOX OFFICE: ‘F1’ To Reach $115M+ Opening, Apple Original Films Driving Toward First Box Office Hit
Courtesy of Jay Hirano Photography / Shutterstock.
Apple Original Films is hitting the gas with its latest theatrical release, ‘F1,’ and it looks like audiences are eager to see Brad Pitt’s latest blockbuster.
According to insiders, the PG-13 film — distributed by Warner Bros. — is seeing strong momentum in the U.S. thanks in part to a glowing 88% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (from 122 reviews). Domestic presales are currently ahead of Ridley Scott’s upcoming ‘Gladiator 2’ (tracking around $55M), significantly ahead of Pitt’s own ‘Bullet Train’ ($30M), and more than four times the presales of the 2019 racing hit ‘Ford v. Ferrari’ ($31.4M).
While ‘F1’ was always expected to perform well overseas due to the global popularity of Formula One racing — with projections topping $75M internationally — the film is now picking up speed in North America. Insiders suggest a $40M–$50M opening weekend across 3,800 theaters is likely, although box office tracker NRG recently adjusted its forecast downward to $38M. That said, early IMAX ticket sales for Thursday and Friday are reportedly strong.
If ‘F1’ surpasses expectations, it could mark a turning point for Apple Original Films’ theatrical efforts. The streamer has struggled with big-screen releases such as ‘Argylle’ ($96.2M worldwide), which starred Henry Cavill, ‘Wolfs’ starring Pitt and George Clooney, and Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ which grossed $158.7M domestically against a $200M budget.
Warner Bros. has secured a three-week IMAX window for ‘F1,’ and the film will also screen in Dolby Cinemas, premium large formats (PLFs), motion seats, drive-ins, and dine-in theaters.
Historically, racing movies have had a bumpy ride at the box office. Universal’s 2013 Formula One film ‘Rush,’ directed by Ron Howard and starring Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, and Daniel Brühl, earned only $26.9M domestically — just 28% of its $97M global haul. By comparison, James Mangold’s ‘Ford v. Ferrari’ opened to $31.4M, went on to gross $117.6M domestically and $226.2M globally, and earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
Going further back, Tom Cruise’s ‘Days of Thunder’ (1990) earned $82.6M domestically and $157.9M worldwide (unadjusted), finishing as the 12th highest-grossing film that year.
Internationally, ‘F1’ launches today in 78 markets, including France, Italy, the UK, and South Korea. Germany, Brazil, and Mexico will join on Thursday, followed by Spain, China, Japan, and others later this week. Major markets expected to lead in turnout include Australia, Japan, the Middle East, and key European territories.
The global promotional campaign has been in high gear, featuring appearances (and filming) at F1 racetracks and events in Montreal, Mexico City, Abu Dhabi, and London. Tom Cruise even attended the London premiere on Tuesday, to support Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski (‘Top Gun: Maverick’).
Warner Bros. has closely partnered with Apple Original Films on the film’s marketing and distribution. Sources say Warner Bros. contributed 50% of the P&A (prints and advertising) spend and will recoup those costs jointly with Apple before collecting a distribution fee estimated at around 12%.
Ahead of the release, Warner Bros. held 200 IMAX fan screenings on Monday, with additional previews starting Thursday at 3PM.
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