‘F1’ Launches with a Modest $55 Million, ‘M3gan 2.0’ Fails to Impress

June 30, 2025

NEW YORK – Apple has achieved its inaugural box office milestone.

The film, referred to as “F1 Movie,” premiered in North American theaters over the weekend, generating $55.6 million domestically and $144 million globally. This impressively sets a record for the largest opening for a tech company, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

While Apple’s original films have had their share of successes—like the Oscar-winning “Coda” in 2021—the outcomes have been quite mixed. Some projects, such as “Algir” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” didn’t fare as well. Bigger budget films like Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and Martin Scorsese’s “Murder on the Flower Moon,” for instance, have been better at drawing viewers to its Apple TV+ platform rather than theaters.

However, “F1” marks Apple’s entry into the lucrative summer blockbuster arena. The company secured the project after a competitive bidding process involving production teams behind the 2022 hit “Top Gun: Maverick.” Apple collaborated with Warner Bros. to distribute the film, featuring star names like Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Kerry Condon.

With a hefty production budget of over $200 million, “F1” still has a long way to go to turn a profit. Nonetheless, it’s currently speeding ahead.

“The film’s remarkable debut demonstrates the excitement surrounding Formula 1, paired with the emotional and thrilling narrative crafted by the entire cast and creative team,” stated Zach van Amburg, who oversees Apple’s global video along with Jamie Ellicht. “Their passion and innovative spirit contributed to an unforgettable cinematic experience.”

Typically, car racing films don’t always attract large audiences, with examples like Ron Howard’s “Rush” and Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” struggling at the box office. Yet, “F1” capitalized on the growing F1 fandom spurred by the successful series “F1: Drive To Survive.” It sought to recreate the adrenaline rush similar to “Top Gun: Maverick,” with director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer adding their touch to an action-packed experience for adults.

In a move reminiscent of “Top Gun: Maverick,” the filmmakers implemented an IMAX camera in the cockpit of “F1,” with IMAX and large screens making up 55% of ticket sales. The demand for such screens in the summer further aids its three-week film run.

Warner Bros. was counting on “F1” to perform strongly internationally, considering the sport’s greater popularity outside the U.S. According to Jeffrey Goldstein, the distribution chief at Warner Bros., along with Pitt, the international appeal was the film’s “secret sauce.” The $144 million global debut also marked Pitt’s biggest opening weekend.

Goldstein explained, “We developed multiple campaigns tailored to different regions around the world. We focused on creating buzz. Screening the film in various locations got people talking.”

The reviews for “F1” have been very positive, and audience reaction—receiving an “A” from Cinemascore—was even better. This suggests that “F1” is likely to hold its ground in the upcoming weeks, despite some tough competition like “Rebirth of Jurassic World.”

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at ComScore, commended Warner Bros. for treating “F1” as a major theatrical event. The studio is also behind other significant releases this year.

“For Apple, this highlights the value of having a prominent theatrical release,” Dergarabedian noted. “It boosts their brand presence.”

Universal’s “M3GAN 2.0” was expected to challenge “F1,” yet it fell short, not managing to replicate the box office success of the 2022 original, which earned $30 million on opening weekend and totaled $180 million.

“M3GAN 2.0” managed to attract $10.2 million from 3,112 theaters. While the original profited from viral marketing, the sequel’s underperformance was notable. The film, produced at a modest $25 million, still has potential, with a spinoff titled “soulm8te” slated for release next year.

Meanwhile, the previous box office champion, “How to Train Your Dragon,” took a second weekend dip, earning $19.4 million. This live-action adaptation from Universal Pictures has grossed over $200 million domestically in just three weeks.

On a less favorable note, Pixar’s new title “Elio” saw a disappointing debut, pulling in $10.7 million over its second weekend. This has resulted in a two-week total of just $42.2 million for Walt Disney Co.