Brad Pitt’s long-awaited blockbuster F1: The Movie has shifted gears from theaters to streaming platforms after smashing past $600 million at the worldwide box office, making it the actor’s most successful film to date. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the adrenaline-fueled story was co-produced by seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends with appearances from real F1 drivers.
The film opened internationally on June 25 and in North America on June 27, setting records as Pitt’s largest-ever global opening. According to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the release has already had a ripple effect across the sport. During an earnings call, he revealed that F1 reached its largest-ever social media audience in Q2, generating over 20 billion impressions—more than double the same period in 2024—thanks in part to buzz around the movie. “Driven by both an exciting season on track and cultural buzz around the F1 movie, F1 drew its largest reach ever on social media,” Domenicali said.
By its fifth week in theaters, F1: The Movie had earned more than $500 million globally, making it the highest-grossing Apple film ever. Its final global box office haul topped $600 million, cementing its place as one of the biggest sports-themed blockbusters of all time.
On August 22, the movie became available digitally on major platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. UK platforms such as Sky Store are also carrying the release. Rental and purchase prices range from $20–$25 (£15.99–£19.99), while subscription costs for the platforms themselves run around $13 per month for Apple TV (or $116 annually) and $11 per month for Amazon Prime (or $123 annually).
A physical release on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD is also planned, though dates have yet to be confirmed. Apple has announced that the movie will eventually be available on its Apple TV+ subscription service, further expanding accessibility.
The film’s synopsis follows Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a former F1 phenom of the 1990s whose career was derailed by a near-fatal accident. Decades later, Hayes is approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), now the desperate owner of a struggling Formula 1 team. Hayes is convinced to climb back into the cockpit “for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world.” Alongside him is hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), setting up a tense mentor-versus-protégé storyline as the two navigate racing, rivalry, and redemption.
The supporting cast includes Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Kim Bodnia, with Bardem and Idris anchoring the team dynamics opposite Pitt. Lewis Hamilton’s involvement as producer helped secure unprecedented access to F1 paddocks and tracks, giving the film authenticity and a front-row seat to the intensity of real Grand Prix weekends.
F1: The Movie has been hailed for its visceral racing sequences, captured during live events at Silverstone, Hungary, and other tracks, where the film’s fictional “APXGP” team was staged alongside actual F1 machinery. The blending of Hollywood storytelling with real-world racing action has been widely praised for capturing both the spectacle and the stakes of Formula 1.
As Domenicali pointed out, the impact of the film extends beyond ticket sales. The cultural crossover between Hollywood and motorsport is expanding Formula 1’s footprint with new audiences. By showcasing the sport through the lens of a blockbuster, F1 has positioned itself as more than a racing series—it is now part of mainstream pop culture.
With streaming now underway and physical release on the horizon, F1: The Movie is set to reach millions more fans globally, extending its life well beyond the summer box office. For Formula 1, the film represents a marketing coup as well as a landmark cultural milestone, blending Hollywood star power with one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.