After one full week in theaters worldwide, the sports drama F1 has surged past a significant box office milestone, reaching $170 million globally. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, the film has overtaken the total global earnings of 12 Monkeys, one of Pitt’s critically acclaimed classics. This achievement signals strong momentum as F1 heads into its second weekend, drawing attention for its growing box office performance despite its high production costs.
F1 Beats 12 Monkeys’ Lifetime Earnings by a Narrow Margin
On Thursday, F1 crossed the $170 million mark worldwide, surpassing the $168 million lifetime gross of 12 Monkeys, released in 1995 and directed by Terry Gilliam. This sci-fi thriller also featured Bruce Willis alongside Pitt and arrived just months after Pitt’s breakthrough in David Fincher’s Se7en. Both films played a vital role in establishing Brad Pitt as a leading Hollywood star. While 12 Monkeys had a reported budget of $29 million, it earned Pitt an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, cementing its status in film history.
Years later, Pitt secured a win in the same Oscar category for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 12 Monkeys was met with critical acclaim and currently holds an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics consensus reads,
“The plot’s a bit of a jumble, but excellent performances and mind-blowing plot twists make 12 Monkeys a kooky, effective experience.”
—Rotten Tomatoes Critics
The audience rating for 12 Monkeys also remains strong, standing at 88% on the same platform.
The Significant Budget and Audience Reception Driving F1’s Success
In contrast, F1 boasts a near-perfect audience score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 83% critics rating. Although production costs have been rumored to reach as high as $300 million, Joseph Kosinski has denied this figure. Despite its hefty expenses, the film is on track to become one of Brad Pitt’s most successful projects. World War Z currently leads Pitt’s box office hits with over $530 million earned nearly ten years ago. F1’s impressive audience ratings hint at strong longevity, setting the stage for continued box office growth.
Plot and Principal Cast of F1
F1 is a gripping sports drama that centers on Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver recovering from a catastrophic crash in the 1990s. Brad Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes, who is recruited by a struggling team owner to mentor a young racing prodigy, Joshua Pierce, played by Damson Idris. The story follows their evolving partnership as they aim to reclaim glory in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
