Brad Pitt's 'F1: The Movie' Roars Past $600M, Becomes Year's Top Original Film

Why it matters:Apple Original Films' 'F1: The Movie', starring Brad Pitt, has surged past $600 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing original film of the year. This achievement marks a significant success for both Apple and Pitt, challenging the dominance of established franchises in the current film market.### The big picture:As of August 27, 2025, the film achieved $605.9 million at the global box office. It surpassed the previous record holder, 'Sinners' ($365.8 million), and became Apple's first major box office hit after modest returns from 'Napoleon' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon'. For Brad Pitt, it marks his most successful project to date, outperforming 'World War Z'.### Driving success:Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, the film benefited from extensive access to Formula 1, appealing to both core F1 fans and broader audiences. Its compelling narrative and authentic racing sequences contributed to its widespread appeal.### Key figures: * Global box office: $605.9 million * Top foreign markets include China ($59.2 million), the United Kingdom ($29.5 million), France ($24.7 million), and Germany ($17.2 million). * IMAX contributed a significant $84.7 million to the total gross, highlighting the demand for premium viewing experiences.### What they're saying:Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO, lauded the film for generating "strong viewership trends and especially robust social and digital engagement," highlighting its cultural impact alongside on-track action. He emphasized the movie's role in captivating both existing and new F1 fans.### Unexpected triumph:Despite opening to $57 million domestically and $146.3 million worldwide, industry analysts initially underestimated its potential to reach such significant heights, making its current success even more remarkable.