Apple’s latest original film, “F1: The Movie,” has emerged as the company’s highest-grossing theatrical release, surpassing $293 million globally just ten days after its debut. With a remarkable opening weekend haul of $146 million, the film has outperformed prior Apple projects like Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” which earned $221 million, and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which reached $158 million. In contrast, earlier Apple films such as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Argylle” struggled significantly at the box office. A substantial portion of the film’s revenue can be attributed to IMAX screenings, which generated roughly $60 million, or about 20% of total ticket sales.
Outside North America, the film has grossed $109.5 million, with notable international markets including China ($22 million), the United Kingdom ($17.3 million), Mexico ($12.3 million), France ($11.5 million), and Australia ($9.8 million). Despite its success at the box office, “F1” faced high production costs exceeding $250 million, with marketing expenses adding an estimated $100 million. While it has outstripped Apple’s previous theatrical releases in revenue, the total gross is still below the break-even point for such a large investment. Box office returns typically see studios split profits with exhibitors, often receiving around 50% of domestic ticket sales and a smaller share internationally.
Thus, it appears that “F1” has not yet fully recovered its costs through theatrical sales alone. Looking ahead, “F1” is set to be available on Apple TV+ in 2025 after its theatrical run.
Leave a Reply