The Formula One film F1: The Movie starring Brad Pitt topped the North American box office over the weekend, earning $55.6 million in its opening weekend, according to studio estimates. The racing drama marked one the strongest debuts for an original sports film in recent years, which is also the first major theatrical win for Apple Original Films.
Directed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski, “F1” follows Pitt as a retired Formula One driver who is convinced to return to the popular motorsport to coach a slick rookie (Damson Idris) and save a failing team. Apple’s head of worldwide video, Jamie Erlicht, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled by the global response to ‘F1′ and grateful to the audiences who’ve embraced the film with such enthusiasm This success is a testament to the vision of Joe, Jerry [Bruckheimer], Brad, and [F1 champion] Lewis [Hamilton], along with the efforts of the entire cast and crew. Together with Formula 1, they’ve created an inspiring cinematic journey that captures the energy and spirit of the sport.”
Coming in at No. 2 is How to Train Your Dragon with $19.4 million, followed by Elio at No. 3 with $10.7 million, M3GAN 2.0 at No. 4 with $10.2 million and 28 Days Later at No. 5 with $9.7 million.
Rounding out the Top 10 were: Lilo & Stitch at No. 6 with $6.9 million, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning at No. 7 with $4.2 million, Materialists at No. 8 with $3 million, Ballerina at No. 9 with $2.1 million and Karate Kid: Legends at No. 10 with $1 million.
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