Apple Original Films, in collaboration with Warner Bros., achieved an impressive $10 million in preview earnings this week with their Formula One movie featuring Brad Pitt. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this film marks a significant milestone as Apple’s first major theatrical release. It surpassed preview grosses of notable Apple films like Ridley Scott’s *Napoleon* ($3 million) and Martin Scorsese’s *Killers of the Flower Moon* ($2.6 million).
Notably, it also outperformed the previews of *Ford v Ferrari*, which garnered $2.1 million in previews. Breaking down the figures, the Formula One film raked in $7 million from showings that began at 3 PM and an additional $3 million from earlier IMAX previews. With strong early results, projections indicate a potential opening weekend gross of over $50 million.
Warner Bros. contributed 50 percent toward the film’s global print and advertising expenditure. The production budget has been cited as $200 million, although some sources suggest it might be as high as $300 million. Regardless, the film is expected to earn approximately $115 million globally at its opening.
The audience score stands at an impressive 97%, with 84% of critics labeling it as “certified fresh.” On the other hand, the preview earnings for *M3GAN 2.0* were notably lower than those of the original, which earned $2.75 million. The sequel will be hard-pressed to reach $20 million this weekend, having grossed $1.5 million in previews.
Critics have given mixed reviews, with a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a decline in enthusiasm for the franchise’s gimmick. The movie, which reportedly cost $25 million to produce before marketing, is being positioned as counterprogramming for the summer box office. In additional box office news, *Lilo & Stitch* is set to surpass the $400 million mark this weekend, becoming the second film to achieve this milestone this year, following the success of *A Minecraft Movie*.
Leave a Reply