Apple’s F1: The Movie has crossed the finish line in record fashion, generating more than $293 million globally in its opening weekend—making it the highest-grossing theatrical release in Apple’s history. The film, distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery, surpassed the $221 million global total of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon from 2023.
The studio’s strong IMAX strategy contributed significantly to the film’s success, generating $60 million—about 20% of total revenue—from IMAX screenings alone. In the U.S. and Canada, IMAX accounted for 25% of the film’s domestic box office. The film will expand to IMAX screens in Japan next month.
Though approaching $300 million in ticket sales, F1 still has a long road to profitability. Production reportedly cost between $200 and $300 million, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing. Apple also shares revenue with Warner Bros. and theaters, further narrowing its returns.
Still, analysts view the performance as a strategic win for Apple. “It’s a perfect example of how a streaming platform can build a film for the big screen and then push it across small screens globally,” said Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore. For Apple, the film reinforces its growing presence in entertainment—even if its true profits lie far outside the box office.
