Apple's Brad Pitt-Starrer 'F1' Races Past $500 Million At Box Office, Becomes Its Biggest Theatrical Hit
Apple's film "F1," starring Brad Pitt, has surpassed $500 million at the global box office, making it Apple's biggest theatrical hit to date. The film, produced by Apple Original Films and distributed by Warner Bros., outperformed previous records, including Ridley Scott's "Napoleon." This success is part of Apple's strategy to enhance its streaming service, Apple TV+, as it seeks to license more films and expand its content library. Apple shares have also seen a 4.25% increase in the past month.
Apple Inc. AAPL has officially cemented its place in Hollywood with "F1" crossing the $500 million mark at the global box office—its most successful theatrical release to date.
What Happened: "F1," produced by Apple Original Films and distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. WBD, has soared to $509 million in worldwide ticket sales, reported by CNBC.
The movie has surpassed the company's previous record set by Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" at $221 million.
The racing drama, which stars Brad Pitt and was shot using IMAX cameras, benefited from a strong three-week exclusive IMAX release window.
This marks a major milestone for Apple, which has only recently started releasing its films widely in theaters.
Other titles like "Killers of the Flower Moon" ($158 million), "Argylle" ($96 million), and "Fly Me to the Moon" ($42 million) fell short of this box office benchmark.
Why It Matters: Apple’s foray into the film industry has been a strategic move to bolster its streaming service, Apple TV+.
A July 2024 report said Apple was in talks with major Hollywood studios to license more films for Apple TV+, aiming to grow its content library and attract a broader audience.
Moreover, Apple’s decision to make its Apple TV App available on Android devices earlier this year demonstrated the company’s commitment to expanding its streaming service’s reach.
Price Action: Apple shares gained 4.25% in the past month, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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