Brad Pitt’s latest film, F1 The Movie, has rapidly achieved a significant box office milestone, grossing $172 million worldwide since its release on June 27. This high-octane drama, centered on the intense world of Formula 1 racing, highlights Pitt’s role as Sonny Hayes, a former driver returning to the sport, and showcases a talented supporting cast including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem. The film’s early success reflects both critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm, solidifying Brad Pitt F1 The Movie success as a major cinematic event in 2025.
Critical Acclaim Fuels the Movie’s Popularity
One considerable factor contributing to F1 The Movie’s strong performance is its positive reception from film critics. Aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a Certified Fresh approval rating of 83% based on 293 critic reviews, with 242 of those being favorable. This early critical enthusiasm encouraged audience interest even before the movie’s wide release.
Mae Abdulbaki of ScreenRant offered a detailed review, noting:
“The characters are easy to root for, the relationship buildup is well-paced and occasionally complex, and the racing itself is heart-pounding. F1 has all the elements of a classic underdog movie, but also pits the old against the new in a way that is fresh and intense. There’s not a moment you don’t want Sonny and Joshua… to suck it up and start working together as a team, but it’s a jog and not a sprint to get there. By the time they do, it’s a monumental moment that is earned.”
—Mae Abdulbaki, ScreenRant Reviewer
Such praise highlights the film’s layered storytelling and thrilling race sequences, which combine to create an emotionally compelling and intense viewing experience. Early reviews, published following the premiere at Radio City Music Hall on June 16, set a positive tone that helped build momentum heading into the public release.
Audience Reception Surpasses Expectations
Beyond critics, viewer reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score currently stands at an impressive Verified Hot 97%, far exceeding the critic rating. Over 5,000 user ratings have contributed to an average viewer score of 4.7 out of 5, indicating that audiences not only enjoyed the film but rated it very highly.
In addition to Rotten Tomatoes, other platforms reflect strong audience enthusiasm. The film holds a 3.8 out of 5 rating on Letterboxd, 7.9 out of 10 on IMDb, 7.6 out of 10 on Metacritic, and 8.6 out of 10 on ScreenRant’s user review system. This widespread positive feedback likely helped to broaden F1 The Movie’s appeal and drove additional ticket sales.
Brad Pitt’s Star Power Remains a Major Draw
The film’s lead, Brad Pitt, remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable and enduring stars, which has undoubtedly contributed to the movie’s success. Pitt first gained widespread recognition with his role as J.D. in 1991’s Thelma & Louise and has since built a career marked by both critical accolades and commercial hits.
Films starring Pitt have collectively earned over $9 billion globally, with top earners such as World War Z ($531.9 million), Mr. and Mrs. Smith ($486.1 million), Troy ($483.1 million), Ocean’s Eleven ($450.7 million), and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood ($377.4 million), which was directed by Quentin Tarantino. His acting prowess is further evidenced by two Oscar wins—one as a producer for 12 Years a Slave and another as an actor for Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood—and five additional nominations.
F1 The Movie represents Brad Pitt’s first major leading role release since his performances in 2022’s Bullet Train and Babylon. Neither of those films turned into major commercial successes, making Pitt’s nearly three-year gap from a big-screen lead a factor that has potentially amplified audience interest in this new project.
The Legacy of Top Gun: Maverick Lingers Over the Project
The film reunites key members from the team behind 2022’s box office phenomenon Top Gun: Maverick, including director Joseph Kosinski, screenwriter Ehren Kruger, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Top Gun: Maverick garnered an impressive $1.496 billion worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of that year.
F1 The Movie taps into a similar adrenaline-fueled formula by delivering high-speed racing sequences akin to the aviation thrills seen in Top Gun: Maverick. This energetic approach has engaged many fans who enjoyed the earlier movie, helping to draw audiences seeking comparable cinematic excitement.
Formula 1’s Massive Global Following Powers Film Interest
Although F1 The Movie is not part of an existing cinematic franchise, it benefits immensely from the worldwide popularity of Formula 1 as a sport. The movie leverages this global fan base effectively, appealing to viewers already familiar with the intense competition and culture surrounding F1 racing.
This strategy resembles the one behind the success of 2023’s Barbie movie, which capitalized on the pre-established affinity for the Barbie brand to capture a large audience. Barbie grossed $1.447 billion globally and became the top-grossing film of that year.
F1 The Movie deepens its connection to the sport by featuring cameos from over two dozen real-life Formula 1 drivers and eight key personnel. Furthermore, the production worked closely with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), enabling the filmmakers to shoot on authentic racetracks. This cooperation enhances the film’s realism and visual impact.
Timing the Release to Maximize Domestic Audience Engagement
In the United States, the timing of F1 The Movie’s release just before the Fourth of July holiday week significantly contributed to its domestic box office success. Traditionally, this period sees increased movie attendance, with audiences more inclined to visit theaters during the extended holiday break.
The film’s strong presence in its first full week allowed it to benefit from this seasonal surge, boosting its overall earnings. At the same time, the release of other major titles, such as Jurassic World Rebirth, later in the week meant that F1 The Movie had a window to attract a large crowd before competition intensified.
Adult-Oriented Blockbuster Arrives Amid Family-Friendly Summer Slate
The early summer movie schedule of 2025 was dominated largely by PG-rated family films, including the live-action remakes of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon. These movies had taken the top spots at the domestic box office since Memorial Day, limiting options for adult audiences seeking a different cinematic experience.
F1 The Movie arrived as a PG-13 rated film, offering a more mature storytelling style and thematic content compared to the family-oriented fare prevalent at the time. This positioning helped it tap into viewers’ desire for an adult-oriented blockbuster, standing out in a crowded market.
Though it now faces stiff competition from July releases like Superman, Jurassic World Rebirth, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, being the first of the major PG-13 movies during this period allowed it to capture significant attention and box office traction.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings Characters to Life
In addition to Brad Pitt’s leading role as Sonny Hayes, the cast includes Damson Idris as Joshua ‘Noah’ Pearce, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem. Their performances collectively add depth and intensity to the story of rivalry, redemption, and teamwork that drives the film’s narrative.
Together, these elements combine to create a racing drama that celebrates the essence of Formula 1 while delivering the human stories behind the high-speed action, resonating with both fans of the sport and general moviegoers alike.
With its record-breaking opening and ongoing positive reception from both critics and audiences, F1 The Movie is poised to continue its strong box office run through the summer of 2025. Its blend of star power, exhilarating racing sequences, and emotional storytelling is likely to keep viewers engaged well beyond its initial release window.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Brad Pitt diagnosed with?
A. Knox, who is 16 years old, is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s youngest son. He and his twin sister, Vivienne, are the youngest children in the family. Recently, Knox was seen showing off his athletic build while exercising outdoors in Los Angeles.
Q. What is Brad Pitt’s disability?
A. Prosopagnosia, known as face blindness, is a rare brain disorder impacting around 2% of people, and Brad Pitt might be among them.
Q. What is the disease that Brad Pitt has on his face?
A. Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is a condition where a person cannot recognize faces. A few years ago, actor Brad Pitt publicly discussed his health. He shared that he believed he had prosopagnosia, diagnosing himself with face blindness.
Q. What disability does Brad Pitt have?
A. Here’s some information about the condition: Actor Brad Pitt shared in a recent interview that he has prosopagnosia, a rare neurological disorder also called face blindness.
