A Surprising Surge: Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie Races Past Box Office Expectations
The highly anticipated *F1* movie, starring the inimitable **Brad Pitt** and helmed by *Top Gun: Maverick* director **Joseph Kosinski**, revved up theaters globally on July 27th. What followed was an opening weekend that far outpaced initial predictions, particularly across international circuits and within the crucial North American market. This high-octane drama, deeply embedded in the thrilling world of **Formula One**, has already set new benchmarks for **Apple Original Films**.
Global Grid: F1’s Explosive International Debut
In its first three days, spanning from Wednesday’s paid previews through Friday, *F1* roared past a staggering **$39.5 million** (approximately ₹328.5 crore) from a total of 78 overseas territories. This impressive figure, reported by industry tracker **Deadline**, underscores the film’s immediate global appeal, signaling a powerful start for the racing epic. The enthusiasm for the spectacle of **Formula One** racing, coupled with the allure of its star power, clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.
India’s Chequered Flag: A Strong Showing on Day 2
The Indian box office offered a compelling display of *F1*’s growing momentum. According to the reliable **Sacnilk**, the film, notably backed by **Lewis Hamilton** and **Jerry Bruckheimer**, launched with a respectable estimated **Rs 5.5 crore net** across all languages on Friday. The English version spearheaded this opening with a significant ₹5 crore haul, while Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu language releases contributed smaller, yet notable, shares.
Day 2 witnessed an exhilarating acceleration. Early estimates for Saturday reveal a substantial jump, with the film pulling in approximately **Rs 8.5 crore**, propelling its cumulative Indian net collection to an impressive **Rs 14 crore**. This robust growth signifies growing word-of-mouth and a strong connection with Indian audiences, particularly those in major metropolitan hubs.
Metro Cities Lead the Pack: Driving India’s F1 Success
The film’s performance in India was markedly stronger in the metro cities, where a passion for **Formula One** and Hollywood blockbusters traditionally runs high. **Chennai** spearheaded the charge with an outstanding occupancy exceeding 62%. **Hyderabad** followed closely at 54%, with **Bengaluru** also showing robust interest at 48%. Conversely, the Hindi version experienced a more moderate reception at around 10.6% occupancy, while Tamil regions showed a steady 19% interest.
Conquering New Territories: International Box Office Dominance
By Sunday, the overseas earnings for *F1* were projected to skyrocket to an astonishing **$80 million to $85 million** (₹668 crore to ₹710 crore). This monumental achievement propels *F1* beyond the international performances of **Brad Pitt**’s previous blockbusters, including the zombie-thriller *World War Z* ($73.8M / ₹616 crore) and Quentin Tarantino’s critically acclaimed *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* ($64.6M / ₹539 crore). When coupled with its robust US numbers, *F1* is on track for a sensational **$140 million-plus** (₹1,169 crore+) global opening weekend, solidifying its position as one of the highest-grossing **Apple Original Films** to date.
Breaking Records Globally: From China to Australia
The film’s international appeal truly shines through its record-breaking performances in key markets. In **China**, *F1* amassed approximately **$6 million** (₹50 crore) by Saturday alone, marking the biggest-ever opening day for an **Apple** film in the country and **Brad Pitt**’s best debut there. Similarly, both **Mexico** and **Australia** reported *F1* as the best opening day for any **Apple** title, demonstrating its widespread resonance.
Victory Lap at Home: F1’s US Domestic Triumph
Stateside, *F1* opened with a powerful **$25 million** (approximately ₹208 crore) across Friday, a figure that includes **$2.8 million** (₹23 crore) from special preview screenings held earlier in the week. This impressive domestic debut positions *F1* as **Apple**’s best domestic opening, even surpassing the first weekend of Martin Scorsese’s **Killers of the Flower Moon**, which had garnered $23.2 million (₹193 crore). The film’s compelling blend of high-octane action and dramatic storytelling appears to have struck a chord with American audiences, mirroring its global success.
