It seems that Apple has its first box office hit.
The company has already created critically recognized and award-winning films for Apple TV+. In fact, while Netflix has He reportedly spent millions on Oscar campaignsApple’s “Coda” remains the only movie produced by a streaming service to win the Oscar for the best picture.
It has, however, a different story in the box office – at best, returns have not gone through ambitious budgets and with “Argylle”, the company had a spectacular flop. Last year, Apple Reportedly To reduce budgets and theatrical editions, leading to canceled works and criticism by directors.
Things have finally returned with “F1” – currently the number one movie in theaters, on-track to earn $ 55.6 million This weekend at the domestic box office. With $ 144 million in world ticket sales, “F1” will soon surpass “Napoleon” ($ 228 million) as an Apple movie.
The director of “F1”, Joseph Kosinski, who previously rushed “Top Gun: Maverick”, and in many ways, the new film sounds like a loose copy of the “Maverick” formula, combining the realistic movie camera (Brad Pitt really drives these cars!) With a well -known narrative of an older veteran who had to work with a young start that one thing or two should learn about old -fashioned, analogue axis.
The “F1” (distributed in the US by Warner Bros.) probably benefited from the growing US Formula One racing popularity, partially powered by Netflix’s Docuseries “Drive to Survive”. Much of it was filmed in real Formula One races and driver Lewis Hamilton also signed as a producer.
Apple Tim Cook even joined Hamilton for A story of a variety coverage In which Cook said the company was able to “bring some things Apple in the film, such as our camera technology”. The plan, he added, was “to support the whole company – our retail business and everything”. (All customers were not happy with cross promotion.)
While Apple’s bet seems to be performing, it is not yet clear whether “F1” – with a reported budget of more than $ 200 million – will really win theaters. Before its release, a box office analyst said to the vulture Even in success, the movie “can end up being a very expensive commercial for the original content on Apple TV”.
