Apple’s $350 Million Bet on ‘F1’ Begins to Yield Results

Apple’s new original film, “F1: The Movie,” has rapidly become the company’s highest-grossing theatrical release, amassing over $293 million globally within just ten days of its debut. During its opening weekend alone, the film raked in an impressive $146 million.

It has surpassed previous Apple productions, including Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” which grossed $221 million, and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” earning $158 million. The film’s impressive box office performance stands in contrast to some of Apple’s earlier projects, such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” which earned only $42 million, and “Argylle,” which brought in $96 million.

A significant factor contributing to “F1″‘s success has been its IMAX screenings, which accounted for $60 million, or roughly 20% of total ticket sales. Beyond the North American market, “F1” has grossed $109.5 million, with notable international earnings coming from China ($22 million), the United Kingdom ($17.3 million), Mexico ($12.3 million), France ($11.5 million), and Australia ($9.8 million).

Despite the film’s remarkable box office numbers, the estimated production costs surpassed $250 million, with added marketing expenses of around $100 million. This raises questions about whether the film can break even, as box office revenue is typically shared between studios and exhibitors, with studios receiving around 50% of domestic sales.

Thus, “F1” has likely not yet recouped its full investment through theatrical ticket sales. Following its theatrical run, “F1” is anticipated to be available on Apple TV+ later in 2025.

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