Box Office: ‘F1’ Takes Pole Position With a $144 Million Debut Weekend As M3GAN 2.0 Flops

Brad Pitt’s F1 has rocketed out of the gate, taking pole position at the global box office with a robust $144 million debut, $88.4 million of that from overseas. It’s the first real theatrical victory for Apple, which has previously stumbled in the multiplex with big-ticket entries like Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton, F1 sees Pitt step into the shoes of a retired racer mentoring a brash up-and-comer, played by Damson Idris. Outside the U.S. and Canada, where it earned $55.6 million, top-performing countries included the U.K. ($9.2 million), China ($9 million), and Mexico ($6.7 million).

Apple’s gamble is far from over. With a price tag nearing $250 million, F1 needs serious staying power to recoup its costs. But early signs suggest it might have legs. F1 has inspired audiences around the globe with its underdog story and perfect blend of high-octane racing and human-centered storytelling. A big part of that impact came from Imax, which captured $27.7 million globally, or 19% of total grosses, a top-tier result for the format.

Meanwhile, Universal’s M3GAN 2.0 failed to scare up much business. The AI horror sequel opened with $17 million globally, including $10 million domestically where it debuted in 4th and took just a further $7 million from 80 international markets. Mexico led with $1.2 million. While the original film rode meme status to $180 million, this follow-up seems to be missing its viral spark.

Family films continued to punch above their weight. Lilo & Stitch added $13.1 million, pushing its worldwide tally to $946 million. It’s now just days away from crossing the billion-dollar threshold, with a sequel already confirmed. In second place, How to Train Your Dragon added $19.4 million domestically, lifting its global total to a soaring $454 million.

Sony’s 28 Years Later rounded out the top five, pulling in $9.7 million in North America and boosting its worldwide haul to a sturdy $103 million.

Not every animated outing is thriving. Pixar’s Elio is still struggling in 3rd, adding $11.4 million this weekend. With only $73 million globally so far, and a $150 million production budget, it’s looking more like a missed connection than a summer sleeper.

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