Apple's high-octane drama "F1: The Movie" hits theaters worldwide this June, marking a bold stride into cinematic storytelling for the tech giant. Starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a once-promising Formula One driver coaxed out of retirement to help save a struggling team, the film is more than just a race against time on the track—it’s a gamble on Apple’s big-screen ambitions.
With a budget exceeding $200 million, "F1: The Movie" is Apple's most expensive foray into theatrical releases to date. The film aims to capture the thrill and drama of Formula One racing, leveraging the sport's surging popularity, especially in the United States, where Netflix’s "Drive to Survive" has introduced a younger, eager audience to the high-speed world of F1.
Internationally, the film targets a hefty $75 million or more from 77 markets, with Warner Bros. handling distribution. The involvement of seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton as a producer adds authenticity and star power, while director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer bring pedigree, having collaborated on the 2022 blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick." Apple is also sweetening the deal for moviegoers by offering a $10 discount for those purchasing two or more tickets via Apple Pay on Fandango, a clever incentive to boost box office numbers.
At its core, the film tells the story of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a 50-something veteran who returns to the pinnacle of motorsport to help his friend Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) save the flailing APXGP team. Hayes’ arrival stirs tension, particularly with the team’s young star Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris, whose social media savvy masks a driver struggling to fulfill his potential. Meanwhile, Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), the team’s technical director and the first woman in F1 history to hold such a senior role, finds a kindred spirit in Hayes as they work together to turn the team’s fortunes around.
The racing sequences are a standout, filmed with the cooperation of F1 authorities, allowing Kosinski to shoot alongside real cars on the track. The use of modified Formula 2 cars equipped with cameras, driven by the actors themselves, lends an immersive quality rarely seen in racing films. Idris recounts a particularly thrilling moment at Silverstone’s Copse corner, where he went flat out in front of Lewis Hamilton, describing the experience as both terrifying and exhilarating. "I just really wanted to push myself," he said, recalling the adrenaline rush that had him "screaming" behind the wheel.
Despite the technical prowess and gripping visuals, critics have noted the film’s narrative shortcomings. The plot, rife with clichés and Hollywood dramatization, stretches believability—rules are bent, and the team’s rapid rise from underdogs to contenders feels fanciful. Female characters, including McKenna and pit crew member Jodie, have drawn criticism for shallow portrayal, often relegated to stereotypical roles that undermine their professional significance. The film’s handling of characters of color, such as Pearce and his manager Cash (Samson Kayo), has also been described as lacking depth and consistency.
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Hayes has been met with mixed reactions. While his charisma shines through, some reviewers found his performance lacking emotional depth, describing it as a series of smirks rather than a compelling character arc. Tobias Menzies’ role as the APX board member Peter Banning was called out for its one-dimensional villainy, missing opportunities for nuance.
Nevertheless, "F1: The Movie" succeeds in capturing the visceral thrill of racing. The film’s cinematography delivers breathtaking onboard shots that plunge viewers into the cockpit, conveying the isolation and focus drivers experience as the lights go out and the race begins. The integration of the fictional APXGP team into real-world racing events, complete with cameos from notable F1 figures like Toto Wolff, Zak Brown, and Fernando Alonso, blurs the line between fiction and reality, enhancing the film’s appeal to motorsport fans.
Commercially, the film is poised to lead the domestic box office this weekend, with projections ranging from $35 million to as high as $60 million. It faces competition from "M3GAN 2.0," the sequel to Universal and Blumhouse’s 2023 sleeper hit, which aims for a $20 million opening amid a crowded summer slate that includes the live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" remake, Sony’s "28 Years Later," and Disney Pixar’s "Elio."
"M3GAN 2.0," directed by Gerard Johnstone and featuring Allison Williams reprising her role as the scientist who upgrades the murderous doll to combat a humanoid military robot, carries a modest $25 million budget. Its performance will test whether the creepy doll remains a box office darling or fades as a one-off viral success. A spinoff titled "Soulm8te" is already slated for 2026, underscoring the franchise’s ongoing potential.
Apple’s venture with "F1: The Movie" is a significant moment in the intersection of technology, entertainment, and sports marketing. While the film may not win accolades for its screenplay or character development, it stands as a vivid, adrenaline-fueled spectacle that could expand Formula One’s global fanbase. It also highlights Apple’s unique position in the entertainment industry, where a company with a $3 trillion market cap can approach filmmaking with a different calculus than traditional studios, blending content creation with brand-building and technological innovation.
As the film races into cinemas, it remains to be seen whether it will cross the finish line as a critical and commercial winner. But for now, "F1: The Movie" offers a thrilling ride into the fast-paced world of Formula One, complete with all the speed, drama, and spectacle fans crave—and a few bumps along the way.
