It’s not every year that a tech giant like Apple manages to shake up both the film industry and international box offices, but 2025 has proven to be a banner year for Apple’s movie division. With two very different, yet equally compelling, films dominating headlines and streaming charts, Apple has made its mark in a way few could have predicted. On one hand, there’s The Lost Bus, a harrowing, R-rated drama based on true events from the 2018 Paradise, California wildfire. On the other, F1: The Movie—a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled racing epic starring Brad Pitt—has shattered box office records in India and beyond. Both films have not only captured audiences’ imaginations but have also redefined what success looks like for original movies in the streaming era.
The Lost Bus tells the remarkable story of a bus driver and a school teacher who risked their lives to save 22 children during the devastating Paradise fire. Directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay, America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig, and Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby Hartwig, the film was shepherded to the screen by producer Jamie Lee Curtis. According to ComicBook.com, Curtis was deeply moved after hearing Kevin McKay’s story on NPR. In her own words, “I pulled my car over on the side of the road. I called Jason Blum, who’s my business partner, and I said, Jason, I want to buy this book. I’m sending you links. It’s going to be expensive to buy, but I believe it’ll be the most important thing either one of us do in the movie business.” That book—Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson—became the foundation for the film.
Upon its release on Apple TV+ in early October 2025, The Lost Bus immediately shot to the top of Apple’s streaming charts, surpassing other popular titles like Highest 2 Lowest, All of You, The Gorge, and Fountain of Youth. Despite this impressive debut, the film’s buzz in mainstream conversation has been curiously muted. Critics, however, have taken note: the film boasts an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even higher audience score of 92%. Reviewers have praised Greengrass’ direction, the film’s unflinching intensity, and the heartfelt performances of the lead actors. Yet, as ComicBook.com points out, “there’s not much in the way of advertisement happening for the film,” which may explain why it hasn’t generated as much chatter as one might expect for such a powerful story.
Part of the challenge, it seems, is the scale of Apple TV+ itself. While the platform has made significant strides, it still doesn’t command the same global awareness as streaming behemoths like Netflix or Prime Video. Even so, Apple’s theatrical release strategy—employed for both The Lost Bus and F1: The Movie—is beginning to pay dividends, especially in markets where the cinematic experience remains king.
Nowhere has this been more apparent than in India, where F1: The Movie has achieved what few Hollywood films ever manage: a 100-day theatrical run, grossing over ₹125 crore at the Indian box office. According to Pinkvilla and IMDb, this makes it the highest-grossing Hollywood film of 2025 in India and the 15th highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in the country. Directed by Joseph Kosinski—whose previous work on Top Gun: Maverick set a high bar for action filmmaking—the film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired racing legend who returns to mentor a young driver, Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris). Rounding out the cast are Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon, both of whom bring gravitas to their supporting roles.
What sets F1: The Movie apart from other sports dramas is its relentless commitment to authenticity. The film was shot at real Formula 1 Grand Prix events, using actual F1 cars and capturing the electric atmosphere of race weekends. Producer Lewis Hamilton—himself a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion—ensured that every detail, from pit stop choreography to racing tactics, rang true for motorsport fans. As a result, the film has resonated not just with racing enthusiasts but also with general audiences who crave visceral, practical-effects-driven action over CGI spectacle. As Pinkvilla notes, the movie’s “spectacular racing sequences justify premium ticket prices,” and the IMAX experience in particular has drawn repeat viewers eager to feel the roar of F1 engines rumbling through theater speakers.
The numbers speak for themselves. With a production budget of $300 million (approximately ₹2,565 crore), F1: The Movie needed to perform well globally—and it has, grossing over $450 million worldwide as of early October 2025. The film currently holds a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb, with critics and audiences alike praising its technical mastery, Pitt’s compelling performance, and the chemistry between the two lead actors. While some reviewers have pointed out the film’s adherence to familiar sports drama tropes, most agree that its execution elevates even the most predictable moments.
So why has F1: The Movie struck such a chord in India? For one, the country’s growing appetite for Formula 1—fueled in part by the popularity of Netflix’s Drive to Survive—created fertile ground for a big-budget racing film. The movie’s extended theatrical run, far outlasting most Hollywood releases in the region, is a testament to strong word-of-mouth, cross-demographic appeal, and the magnetic pull of high-octane storytelling. As Pinkvilla observes, it’s rare for an international film to remain in theaters for more than a few weeks, yet F1: The Movie has defied the odds, becoming a genuine cultural phenomenon.
Both The Lost Bus and F1: The Movie highlight Apple’s evolving strategy in the film world—balancing streaming debuts with targeted theatrical releases, investing in original stories, and prioritizing quality over quantity. While The Lost Bus may not have benefited from a massive marketing blitz, its critical and audience acclaim suggest it could become a slow-burn success, especially as word spreads. Meanwhile, F1: The Movie has proven that audiences still crave authentic, immersive experiences that only the big screen can deliver.
Looking ahead, both films will eventually find new audiences on Apple TV+, further extending their reach. But for now, their achievements—one quietly topping streaming charts, the other roaring through theaters in India and beyond—underscore a simple truth: great stories, told well, still have the power to move us, no matter the platform.
