Brad Pitt's Formula 1 Sports Drama Makes Streaming Debut on Apple TV Following Major Theatrical Run

The highly anticipated sports drama centered on Formula 1, titled 'F1: The Movie,' starring Brad Pitt, has officially concluded its theatrical engagement. Beginning Friday, December 12, 2025, the film transitioned to a global streaming release exclusively on the Apple TV platform. This move signals the end of a significant theatrical window for what has proven to be one of Apple Studios' most commercially successful original productions of the year.

The picture achieved remarkable financial success during its cinema run, bringing in approximately 631.5 million dollars worldwide. This staggering figure solidifies its position as the highest-grossing film in Apple Studios' history. To put this into perspective, it significantly outpaced previous major releases, including Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon,' which earned 223 million dollars, and Martin Scorsese's 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' which grossed 157 million dollars. The 631.5 million dollar global tally also marks a personal best for Brad Pitt, surpassing his previous record of 540 million dollars set by the 2013 blockbuster 'World War Z.' Production costs for the film were estimated to fall between 200 and 300 million dollars, with Pitt himself reportedly receiving a 30 million dollar salary for his role.

Joseph Kosinski took the helm as director, reuniting with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Ehren Kruger. This trio had previously collaborated successfully on the 2022 hit, 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The narrative centers on Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver who steps back into the intensely competitive world after a thirty-year absence. His mission is to mentor the young driver, Joshua Pierce, portrayed by Damson Idris, who races for the fictional APXGP team. Maintaining an unwavering commitment to realism, the actors underwent rigorous training sessions to master the operation of genuine racing machinery.

Lewis Hamilton, who served both as a producer and a crucial technical consultant, played an instrumental part in ensuring the film’s authenticity, which included closely monitoring Pitt’s driving capabilities. In pursuit of authentic on-track speed, the production team collaborated with Mercedes F1 engineers. They modified six Dallara chassis, originally designed for Formula 2 cars, to create custom vehicles capable of achieving the necessary velocity. Furthermore, the storyline involving Sonny Hayes draws some inspiration from the real-life accident involving racer Martin Donnelly in 1990. The film, which garnered positive attention from the National Board of Review, initially premiered in New York on June 16, 2025, followed by a wider domestic release across the United States on June 27, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in conjunction with Apple Original Films.

The Apple TV debut on December 12 effectively closes the chapter on its theatrical journey, now making the spectacle available to subscribers across the globe. The film’s immense popularity, further evidenced by a 97 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, has spurred Apple into securing a five-year partnership with Formula 1. This agreement will see Apple TV exclusively broadcasting all F1 races within the United States starting next year. The ensemble cast also features notable talents such as Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem alongside Pitt and Idris.