F1: The Movie

🏎️ Overview & Plot

• Title: F1 (marketed as F1: The Movie) – a live-action sports drama immersing the viewer in authentic F1 racing CineMaterial+1CineMaterial+1Business Insider+15Wikipedia+15F1 The Movie+15.
• Director: Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick).
• Writer: Ehren Kruger, co-writing with Kosinski Apple+15F1 The Movie+15Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website+15.
• Story: Brad Pitt stars as veteran racer Sonny Hayes, coaxed back into Formula 1 by his old teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to help save the struggling fictional team APXGP. He drives alongside rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), leading to a powerful story of rivalry, legacy, and redemption AP News+15F1 The Movie+15Rotten Tomatoes+15.

🎥 Cast & Creative Team

• Starring:
  • Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes
  • Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce
  • Javier Bardem as Ruben Cervantes
  • Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo in key roles Wikipedia+9F1 The Movie+9Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website+9.
• Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton (via Dawn Apollo Films), Brad Pitt, and others including Plan B Entertainment and Apple Original Films Wall Street Journal+12F1 The Movie+12Apple+12.
• Composer: Hans Zimmer scored the film, while the soundtrack features various artists on F1 the Album F1 The Movie+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2.

📅 Production & Release

• Filming began mid‑2023, taking place at real F1 race events over 18 months—including the British Grand Prix, Silverstone, and Abu Dhabi—to capture live grids, drivers, teams, and fan energy GQ+1Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website+1.
• Produced with full collaboration from Formula 1, FIA, all ten teams, and real drivers including Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz appearing on camera .
• Release Dates: International debut on June 25, 2025; U.S. and North America release on June 27, 2025, in theaters and IMAX via Warner Bros. Apple+7Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website+7Formula 1® – The Official F1® Website+7.

💰 Budget & Box Office

• Estimated production budget ranged between $200–300 million Wikipedia+1AP News+1.
• Box office total: approximately $397.6 million globally, making it one of the biggest hits of the year Wikipedia.
• Opening weekend: $55.6 million in the U.S., accounting for 55% through IMAX screenings—a record opening for Apple Original Films AP News.

🎬 Behind the Scenes & Authenticity

• Pitt and Idris trained by professional drivers, filmed real‑time during Grand Prix weekends using modified race cars with onboard IMAX cameras for immersive authenticity f1movie.com.my+3GQ+3Wall Street Journal+3.
• Brad Pitt famously improvised a complex track scene when his communication system failed mid‑shoot, showcasing his dedication and realism under pressure Cinemablend.
• Damson Idris credited Lewis Hamilton as a mentor in real life, noting Hamilton’s involvement as a producer and advisor on racing scenes and character study .

🎶 Soundtrack: F1 the Album

• Released June 27, 2025, featuring a lineup of global acts including Ed Sheeran, Rosé, Doja Cat, Burna Boy, Tiësto, and Hans Zimmer among many others Wikipedia.
• Highlight track: “Drive” by Ed Sheeran (with John Mayer & Dave Grohl) released June 20, 2025 Wikipedia.

✨ Why It Matters

• Set a new standard for realism in sports cinema by integrating narrative into the actual F1 ecosystem.
• Marked Apple Original Films’ first major theatrical blockbuster, building a bridge between streaming prestige and big‑screen spectacle .
• Elevated Brad Pitt’s action‑hero credentials and reignited interest in cinematic motorsport stories.

📊 Quick Snapshot