Apple's Biggest Movie Of All Time Is A 10/10 Action Masterpiece (Trending #1 On Apple TV)

Apple’s transition from a pure technology company into a serious entertainment powerhouse has been a gradual but increasingly confident evolution. Apple TV+ has gone from an experimental fringe platform to a serious streaming powerhouse. Shows like Severance, Silo, and Pluribus have reshaped perceptions of Apple’s creative credibility, and this reputation seems to be extending to the big screen too.

Apple’s movie division has quietly grown into something formidable. What once felt like awards-focused passion projects have now become genuine box-office plays. That shift has reached its clearest expression with Apple’s latest original movie, F1. Released in 2025, F1 has become the most streamed movie on Apple TV+ at the time of writing (via Flixpatrol).

More impressively, F1 is also Apple’s most profitable movie to date. The film earned a staggering $631 million during its global theatrical run(via Box Office Mojo), far exceeding expectations for an Apple-backed production. With an estimated budget between $200 and $300 million, F1 doesn’t just represent a hit - it cements Apple as a legitimate box-office contender.

What Is F1 About?

A Precision-Built Sports Drama That Marries Authenticity With Blockbuster Spectacle

Produced by Apple Original Films in partnership with Warner Bros, F1 centers on Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a once-promising Formula One driver whose career was cut short decades earlier. Now older, weathered, and largely forgotten by the sport he once loved, Sonny is drawn back into Formula One under unexpected circumstances that challenge both his pride and his physical limits.

F1 places Sonny alongside rising star Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a talented but volatile young driver struggling to thrive under the immense pressure of the modern Formula One circuit. Their uneasy partnership becomes the emotional backbone of the movie, balancing generational conflict with mutual respect forged through competition.

What sets F1 apart is its commitment to authenticity. Director Joseph Kosinski, fresh off Top Gun: Maverick, brings the same immersive filmmaking philosophy to motorsport. Many scenes were shot during real Formula One race weekends, placing actors and cameras directly inside active circuits and pit lanes.

The result is a visceral sense of speed that few racing films have ever captured. Cockpit shots emphasize claustrophobia and chaos, while wide-angle sequences convey the terrifying precision required at over 200 miles per hour.

Critics praised F1 for refusing to rely solely on spectacle. Beneath the racing lies a character-driven drama about aging, relevance, and the cost of unfinished ambition. Pitt delivers one of his most grounded performances in years, while Idris brings urgency and emotional volatility that keeps the film from becoming nostalgic.

By blending blockbuster thrills with a surprisingly introspective narrative, F1 earned its acclaim as both an action masterpiece and a smart sports drama. It’s not just a movie about racing, it’s about why people risk everything to keep competing.

F1 Is Apple's Highest-Grossing Original Movie

Apple’s First True Blockbuster Has Redefined Its Place In The Film Industry

With $631 million in global box-office revenue, F1 has officially become Apple’s highest-grossing original movie. That achievement is especially striking given Apple’s relatively short history in theatrical distribution. Unlike traditional studios, Apple entered cinemas cautiously, often prioritizing prestige over profit.

Previous successes like Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon demonstrated Apple’s ability to attract top-tier talent and awards attention. However, neither film approached the commercial performance of F1. While critically respected, those projects leaned heavily toward adult drama rather than mass-market spectacle.

F1 marks a strategic pivot. The film was positioned as a global event, appealing to both motorsport fans and general audiences. Formula One’s international popularity proved crucial, particularly in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where the sport enjoys massive followings.

Apple’s marketing emphasized realism, scale, and star power. Brad Pitt’s involvement brought mainstream appeal, while partnerships with Formula One organizations lent credibility. This balance allowed F1 to avoid feeling like a branded experiment and instead function as a traditional summer blockbuster.

Financially, the film validated Apple’s willingness to invest heavily in production and theatrical runs. A $200-300 million budget would be risky for most studios, but F1 demonstrated that Apple can compete at the highest commercial level when creative execution aligns with audience demand.

The success of F1 doesn’t just elevate Apple’s film slate, it signals a long-term shift in how seriously the industry must now take the company once known for iPods and Macbooks as a theatrical powerhouse.

A Sequel To F1 Is Being Discussed

Apple Is Already Exploring How To Expand Its Fastest Franchise

Following F1’s extraordinary box-office and streaming performance, discussions around a sequel began almost immediately. While Apple has not formally announced F1 2, key producers and creative partners have confirmed that conversations are underway about continuing the story (via Motorsport.com).

The ending of F1 leaves room for expansion without undermining its emotional resolution. Sonny Hayes’ arc reaches a meaningful conclusion, but the broader world of Formula One introduced in the movie offers multiple narrative paths forward. That flexibility makes a sequel creatively viable rather than obligatory.

One potential direction involves shifting focus toward Joshua Pearce. Damson Idris’ breakout performance positioned the character as a natural successor, allowing the franchise to explore the pressures of sustaining success at the top of the sport. This approach would preserve continuity while refreshing the perspective.

Another option reportedly being discussed is expanding the scope beyond a single team. A sequel could explore rivalries across the grid, offering a more ensemble-driven story that reflects Formula One’s complex ecosystem of drivers, engineers, and ownership politics.

For Apple, the decision is strategic as much as creative. A sequel would solidify F1 as the company’s first true film franchise, proving that its cinematic ambitions extend well beyond one-off prestige releases.