After a strong theatrical run earlier this year, F1: The Movie is now available to stream on Apple TV, marking the end of its transition from cinemas to home viewing. The racing drama, led by Brad Pitt, arrives on the platform after generating more than $629 million at the global box office, making it Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical release to date.
Set within the modern Formula One circuit, the film centers on Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver whose career stalled decades earlier following a serious crash. Once considered a promising talent in the 1990s, Sonny has since drifted into a life as a freelance racer, moving from one series to another without lasting success. His return to Formula One is sparked by an offer from Ruben Cervantes, a former teammate who now owns a struggling F1 team. The premise is straightforward: Sonny is brought in to stabilize the team, mentor a younger driver, and possibly reclaim a measure of personal redemption along the way.
That younger driver, Joshua Pearce, provides much of the film’s dramatic tension. Played by Damson Idris, Pearce represents a new generation of drivers shaped by modern training, branding, and relentless competition. The rivalry between the two drivers drives the story forward, highlighting contrasts in experience, ego, and approach rather than leaning entirely on spectacle.
Visually, F1: The Movie benefits from its access to real-world racing environments. Large portions of the film were shot during actual Formula One race weekends, lending authenticity to the on-track sequences. While the racing scenes are engineered for cinematic impact, the use of genuine locations and events helps ground the film, even when the narrative leans into familiar sports drama territory.
From a business standpoint, the film’s success carries significance beyond its storyline. Its box office performance surpassed other high-profile Apple-backed releases, including Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon. For Apple, F1: The Movie demonstrates that large-scale theatrical projects can translate into mainstream commercial results, not just awards attention. The film has also received multiple Golden Globe nominations, suggesting it resonated with industry voters as well as audiences.
Now streaming on Apple TV, F1: The Movie is included with a standard subscription to the service, which also offers a short free trial for new users and access through Apple One bundles. While the film doesn’t reinvent the sports drama formula, its combination of recognizable talent, real-world racing access, and polished production makes it a notable entry in Apple’s growing catalog of original films.
