In a summer dominated by mega-franchises, sequels, and IP juggernauts, F1 The Movie—released June 27, 2025—has quietly pulled off one of the most remarkable box office stories of the year. Joseph Kosinski’s high-octane racing drama, fronted by Brad Pitt, has now grossed an impressive $571,161,000 worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), making it the eighth-highest-grossing film of the year so far. That’s no small feat for a film that isn’t tied to an existing cinematic universe.
At a time when studios are increasingly wary of original blockbusters, F1 The Movie has become the outlier everyone’s talking about. With an 82% Rotten Tomatoes critics score and strong word of mouth, it managed to outpace major titles like Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Disney’s live-action Snow White. Even more impressive—it’s Brad Pitt’s highest-grossing starring role, eclipsing decades of box office successes.
A Perfect Lap: Why the Film Hit So Hard
Apple reportedly poured hundreds of millions into production and marketing, selling F1 The Movie as a “must-see theatrical experience.” Hiring Kosinski, who turned Top Gun: Maverick into a $1.49 billion global phenomenon, was a strategic masterstroke. His knack for combining cutting-edge visuals with emotionally grounded storytelling is fully on display here.
Then there’s Pitt—charismatic, seasoned, and believable behind the wheel. Audiences have long trusted him to deliver, and here he plays to his strengths: understated charm, smoldering intensity, and just enough vulnerability to keep the stakes human. That mix has made him a bankable asset for nearly 30 years, but F1 The Movie might mark the start of a late-career renaissance.
Context in the 2025 Box Office Race
Highest-Grossing Films of 2025 (Worldwide)
| Rank | Film | Gross | RT Critics Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ne Zha 2 | $1,899,873,280 | 96% |
| 2 | Lilo & Stitch | $1,028,328,424 | 72% |
| 3 | A Minecraft Movie | $955,149,195 | 48% |
| 4 | Jurassic World Rebirth | $800,368,830 | 51% |
| 5 | How to Train Your Dragon | $623,587,255 | 76% |
| 6 | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | $595,555,354 | 80% |
| 7 | Superman | $579,194,652 | 83% |
| 8 | F1 The Movie | $571,161,000 | 82% |
What stands out here is the company F1 The Movie keeps—titles either backed by multi-decade franchises or brand recognition. By contrast, F1 is an original concept, albeit drawing inspiration from the global popularity of Formula One. That it’s keeping pace with billion-dollar behemoths speaks volumes about the power of execution over IP.
Lessons for Hollywood
- Stars Still Matter – Pitt’s name on the poster still moves tickets. In an era when studios often claim “the brand is the star,” his draw is a reminder that audience connection to actors hasn’t faded.
- Directors Can Be Brands Too – After Top Gun: Maverick and now F1, Kosinski has become a bankable name, the rare modern filmmaker whose style and reputation can sell a movie.
- There’s Room for Racing Films – With Rush and Ford v Ferrari already proving the genre’s cinematic potential, F1 The Movie could open the door for more high-budget motorsport dramas.
- Originality Isn’t Dead—If You Market It Right – By positioning itself as a high-stakes, visually spectacular drama rather than “just another racing movie,” F1 The Movie proved that fresh stories can thrive when treated like event cinema.
Looking Ahead
Awards chatter is already building, with some predicting a Best Picture nomination at the 2026 Oscars. Whether or not that happens, F1 The Movie has already achieved something rarer: it’s shifted Hollywood’s perception of what can succeed at the summer box office. If studios take note, we might see a more adventurous slate in the years ahead—though history suggests they’ll try to franchise it first.
F1 The Movie isn’t just a box office surprise—it’s a reminder that audiences will still show up for new stories, provided they’re told with style, heart, and a little bit of adrenaline.
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Runtime: 156 Minutes
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writers: Joseph Kosinski, Ehren Kruger
Producers: Brad Pitt, Chad Oman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jeremy Kleiner, Lewis Hamilton, Joseph Kosinski, Dede Gardner
Do you think F1 The Movie will spark a wave of new racing dramas, or will Hollywood stick to its safe bets?
