‘F1’ surpasses ‘Napoleon’ as Apple’s top-grossing film with $293 million

Apple Races to Victory with Box Office Smash

Apple’s bold move into blockbuster filmmaking just hit a major milestone, and it’s turning heads across Hollywood. With a high-octane racing story, a megastar cast, and stunning visuals, one film has just zoomed past all expectations.

In just ten days, it raced ahead of a major historical epic to take the crown as Apple’s top-grossing movie ever. But what exactly made this film such a breakout hit?

Introduction to a Box‑Office Win

Apple’s racing epic F1: The Movie has just achieved a career high for the company in theaters. This thrilling drama starred Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.

It peaked at $293 million worldwide in only ten days. That total overtook Napoleon, making F1 Apple’s top‑grossing theatrical release so far, hinting at widespread approval and love for the movie.

Launch Timeline and Milestone

The film debuted in theaters and IMAX starting June 27, 2025, after its premiere on June 16. In those ten days, it pulled in $293 million worldwide.

That number surpassed Ridley Scott’s Napoleon (which grossed $221 million) and Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon ($158 million). It marked a turning point for Apple’s theatrical presence.

Why Napoleon Was the Former Champ

Napoleon hit theaters in 2023 with high expectations and A‑list talent. It was a big, spread film with grand production designs.

Its total of $221 million set the bar for future Apple releases, leading to high expectations for the upcoming movies. Yet F1 managed to surpass that long‑standing lead in just ten days.

Box‑Office Breakdown

During opening weekend, F1 earned $55.6 million in North America and $144 million worldwide. That strong debut represents a major boost over Apple’s past theatrical shows.

It showcased demand for live‑action, crowd‑pleasing cinema, hinting at a shift in viewer tastes. Its rapid climb in global earnings helped it surpass Napoleon quickly.

Power of IMAX Ticket Sales

IMAX screenings made up 19% of the worldwide debut weekend gross. That’s huge, IMAX rarely grabs nearly one‑fifth of ticket sales.

The thrilling racing visuals translated well to a premium viewing format and led to a high-quality viewing experience. That format boosted F1’s overall box‑office performance versus past Apple movies.

Star Power: Brad Pitt & Damson Idris

The lead casting includes Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt with rising star Damson Idris. Their chemistry and acting drove audience interest in the film, and kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

Pitt’s presence likely drew casual moviegoers into theaters. Combined with clever marketing, their names added real appeal.

Director & Creative Team

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, who’s famous for Top Gun: Maverick, the film benefits from a high‑octane cinematic style. Kosinski’s expertise with action makes F1 visually spectacular and makes the movie a treat to watch.

Combined with Hans Zimmer’s score, it creates an immersive audio‑visual ride. That creative team helped elevate Apple’s film quality dramatically.

Film’s Production Costs

While exact figures vary, sources report a production budget of $200–300 million. Jerry Bruckheimer called the rumored $300 million “a little exaggerated.”

Even at the lower end, it’s one of the most expensive Apple Originals, and it has surely given a return, too. That financial weight emphasizes how big a bet F1 was for Apple.

Global Audiences Fuel Success

Outside North America, F1 earned about $109.5 million in markets like China, the UK, Mexico, France, and Australia. The racing genre resonates internationally thanks to the global popularity of Formula 1.

That appeal helped it overtake Napoleon despite its historical focus. It shows international tastes lean toward cinematic thrills.

Critical Response & Word of Mouth

Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, and critics praised its thrilling energy. Rotten Tomatoes currently has a score of 97%, reflecting strong reviews.

That positive buzz kept people talking and drove ticket sales, hinting at the power of a good narrative. This momentum helped F1 outpace Apple’s previous flops and mid‑tier hits.

Comparison to Apple’s Other Films

Other Apple titles like Fly Me to the Moon and Argylle underperformed with big budgets and modest returns. Killers of the Flower Moon won praise but didn’t end up matching big‑screen revenues.

Compared to these, F1 is a clear standout in financial success. It proves Apple can produce mainstream theatrical hits.

Strategic Marketing Tactics

Apple rolled out promotions via Apple Pay discounts, Worldwide Developers Conference teasers, and in‑store events. They even used Apple Music for thematic cross‑promotion.

IMAX’s dominance in ticket sales shows that it targeted premium formats. This layered strategy clearly ended up paying off at the box office.

Cultural Phenomenon Effect

The surge of F1 popularity from shows like Drive to Survive set the stage for the movie’s reception. The film tapped into that excitement and built on it.

It’s more than entertainment, it’s cultural relevance. This trend shows how media ecosystems can amplify movie success.

In other news, Damson Idris thought he’d be fired after intense F1 scene with Brad Pitt.

Future of Apple at the Box Office

Industry analysts are already discussing a possible sequel given F1’s success. Apple may shift more toward theatrical projects if results continue. Ed Sheeran’s ‘Drive’ roars to life as the surprise rock anthem of the F1 movie.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.