Box Office Showdown: Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Dominates with $55.6M Launch as ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Stalls at $10M

Apple Original Films has stormed into the cinematic arena with F1: The Movie, a high-octane triumph that has shattered box office records and marked a historic milestone for the tech titan’s fledgling film division. Starring Brad Pitt, the film blazed to a $55.6 million opening weekend in North America, setting a blazing new benchmark for Apple’s theatrical ambitions. Partnering with Warner Bros., the duo unleashed a relentless marketing blitz, surpassing all expectations and igniting a global phenomenon.

Across international markets, F1 roared to an astonishing $88.4 million, amassing a colossal $144 million worldwide debut. This meteoric rise outpaces Brad Pitt’s previous blockbuster World War Z ($112 million) and cements F1 as the biggest international opener of his career, unadjusted for inflation. The film’s commanding performance ensures its dominance over Imax screens until Superman arrives on July 11, leveraging Dolby Cinemas and premium large-format venues to thrilling effect.

Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s chief analyst, lauded the achievement: “F1: The Movie from Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. has delivered a turbocharged finale to June, achieving an electrifying overperformance.” He credited the film’s meticulously crafted promotional campaign for its box office dominance.

For Apple, this victory is a pivotal moment, reigniting its theatrical aspirations after the underwhelming performances of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick visionary Joseph Kosinski, F1 has captivated audiences, earning near-perfect exit polls, an ‘A’ CinemaScore, and glowing critical acclaim.

Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of worldwide video, celebrated the triumph: “This success reflects the unwavering vision and passion of Joe, Jerry, Brad, Lewis, and the entire cast and crew. In partnership with Formula One, they’ve crafted a cinematic odyssey that captures the exhilarating spirit of the sport.”

Yet, profitability remains a steep challenge. With a net production budget of approximately $200 million—ballooning to nearly $300 million with marketing costs—Apple’s unconventional business model may redefine success beyond traditional financial metrics.

The film follows Pitt as a battle-scarred former F1 driver mentoring a rising star, played by Damson Idris, under the strategic guidance of Javier Bardem’s team leader. Opting to center the story on Formula One, a sport with a niche U.S. following, was a bold gamble, especially given the modest $26.9 million domestic and $97 million global haul of Ron Howard’s Rush.

The project’s pedigree shines through its creative team, with Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton co-producing alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, Pitt, and his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner. Hans Zimmer’s evocative score further elevates the film’s visceral intensity. Notably, 58% of ticket sales stemmed from premium large-format screens, with Imax contributing a staggering $27.7 million—the fourth-highest performance in the company’s history.

In stark contrast, Universal’s M3GAN 2.0 stumbled out of the gate, limping to a $10.2 million domestic debut, landing in fourth place. The horror sequel, projected to perform stronger, paled against its predecessor’s $30.4 million opening in January 2023, with a mere $3.4 million on its first day. Globally, it mustered just $17.2 million, strained by its $25 million budget. Despite a B+ CinemaScore, critics panned its shift toward a sci-fi-heavy, Terminator-esque narrative, diluting its horror roots. Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster aimed to attract young female audiences as counterprogramming to F1, but the strategy faltered.

Elsewhere, Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon soared past $200 million domestically, reaching $454.4 million globally, while Pixar’s Elio plummeted 50% in its second weekend to $10.7 million, struggling against its $150 million budget. Sony’s 28 Years Later also faltered, dipping to $9.7 million in its second frame, though it crossed $100 million worldwide.

Disney, however, sailed triumphantly with its live-action Lilo & Stitch, surging past $400 million domestically and $946 million globally, trailing only A Minecraft Movie as 2025’s second Hollywood juggernaut. Competing with Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning ($562 million globally), it underscored Disney’s box office prowess.