The movie "Formula 1", starring Brad Pitt, became the new box office leader in North America, collecting $55.6 million in its debut weekend. The picture significantly exceeded industry forecasts, which estimated starting fees at $50 million. Total worldwide sales reached $144 million.
The project, with a budget of over $200 million, has become Apple's biggest film initiative in its quest to occupy a niche in traditional film distribution. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery. Representatives of the company noted that the release received wide support from viewers and film critics. The rating on the review aggregator exceeded 80%, which confirms the positive response of the audience.
A key element of Formula 1's success was its visual realism. Most of the scenes are shot on real tracks during the championship stages, using miniature cameras built into the cars. Real sports commentators are also involved in the film, which increases the effect of presence and authenticity of what is happening.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer emphasized the uniqueness of the project, noting the unprecedented access to the teams, drivers and infrastructure of Formula 1 provided to the film crew. This allowed not only to convey the technical details, but also the emotional atmosphere of motorsport.
For Apple, this release is an important part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in the feature film market. The company considers rental releases as a stage of promotion of films before their appearance on the Apple TV+streaming service. A model that combines traditional film distribution and subsequent online release is becoming a key tool for attracting a wider audience and increasing brand awareness.
