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Brad Pitt’s racing drama “F1: The Movie” will be available to stream globally on Apple TV starting December 12. Following an impressive theatrical run, the film has already made history with over $629 million at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing sports movie ever and a major success for Apple Original Films.
A Racing Film Like No Other
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, best known for “Top Gun: Maverick”, and produced by a heavyweight team that includes Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt himself, and Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, “F1: The Movie” stands out for its authenticity and adrenaline-fueled realism. The movie was partially shot during actual Grand Prix weekends, blurring the line between fiction and real-world racing.
This approach isn’t just visual flair — it immerses the viewer like few sports films do. You can almost feel the heat of the tires and the pressure in the driver’s cockpit. Watching it in theaters, I remember clutching my seat during the Monaco scenes. It feels raw and fast, and it never cheats you with CGI shortcuts.
The cast includes a solid mix of talent: Damson Idris plays the protagonist, with Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem adding plenty of depth and nuance around him. The screenplay, penned by Ehren Kruger from a story he developed with Kosinski, strikes a fine balance between human drama and high-speed spectacle. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
A Monumental Debut for Apple Original Films
Before “F1: The Movie,” Apple Original Films had yet to score a major theatrical win. This cultural and financial success has now changed the game. Apple partnered with Warner Bros. to distribute and market the film worldwide, showing that major studios are open to working with streamers when the stakes — and the story — are high enough.
It’s rare to see a streaming platform test the big screen this confidently and win. And as someone who’s always been curious about the streaming vs. cinema debate, this feels like a reminder that it’s not a battle: it’s evolution. Apple trusted the story and the experience — and so did audiences.
The Audience Loved It Too
- $629 million earned worldwide
- CinemaScore: A
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 97%
- Over 600,000 copies of the soundtrack sold
- Nearly 1 billion streams of the soundtrack globally
These numbers don’t lie. The film struck a chord, not just with speed junkies or motorsport fans, but with all kinds of viewers. The audience saw something genuine. Fast cars, yes — but also heart, ambition, and the weight of legacy.
What also helped was the soundtrack. “F1 The Album” became a phenomenon on its own, with seven of its songs currently dominating the Billboard Top Movie Songs chart. Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching” blew up across short-form video platforms, gathering over four billion views and earning two VMA nominations. It’s the sort of breakout hit that brings a movie to life well beyond the screen.
Still Available to Own
While the film gears up for its Apple TV+ debut, it’s also already available to purchase digitally on AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango At Home. A good move, especially for those who missed it back in theaters or just want to relive it with better sound and comfort. To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
Personally, I plan to rewatch it the day it drops on Apple TV, sound up, lights off. There’s something special about a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be — and shares it without compromise.
