Brad Pitt’s racing blockbuster shifts to streaming with real F1 footage and sequel talks.
Brad Pitt’s high-octane sports drama “F1: The Movie” is shifting gears from theaters to streaming, with Apple TV+ confirming a global release date of December 12.
The film, which premiered in cinemas in June, has already made history as the highest-grossing movie of Pitt’s career, pulling in $629 million worldwide. It also marks the biggest success for Apple Original Films and is one of only six films in 2025 to cross the $600 million threshold.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski of “Top Gun: Maverick” fame, the story follows Pitt as a retired Formula One driver who returns to mentor a rookie and revive a failing team. The cast features Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Tobias Menzies, with F1 legend Lewis Hamilton involved as a producer.
One factor behind the film’s authenticity is the way it was shot. Production teams captured racing sequences during real Grand Prix weekends, using actual circuits and integrating live racing environments to give the movie its high-adrenaline realism.
In post-production, the filmmakers digitally replaced real cars with the fictional APXGP vehicles, blending practical footage with visual effects.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer praised the film’s theatrical reception and expressed excitement about reaching a broader audience through Apple TV+. For Apple, “F1” was a much-needed win after big-budget underperformers like “Napoleon” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
With a production cost of $250 million, the film exceeded expectations thanks to strong word-of-mouth, IMAX and Dolby formats, and global appeal — $439 million of its ticket sales came from overseas markets.
However, the movie’s popularity also sparked unintended side effects. Cybersecurity trackers reported a wave of online scams, with fake streaming sites and promotions using the film’s name to trick fans into sharing personal and financial details. These scams spread in multiple countries during the theatrical run.
Looking ahead, Apple isn’t finished with the franchise. Company CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that sequel discussions are already underway, encouraged by the film’s box office performance and global fan response.
With its streaming debut aligned with the holiday season, “F1” is poised to extend its momentum and reach millions more worldwide.
