Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Races to No. 1 at North American Box Office with $55.6 Million Debut
F1: The Movie, featuring Brad Pitt as a former Formula One star seeking redemption, roared to the top of the North American box office in its opening weekend, pulling in an estimated $55.6 million, according to industry data released Sunday.
“This is a phenomenal debut for an original action-sports drama,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, noting the film has earned strong praise from both critics and audiences. The racing drama is a collaboration between Apple and Warner Bros.
Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, based on the 2010 animated hit, dropped to second place with $19.4 million. The family-oriented film follows the story of a young Viking named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), who forms an unlikely bond with a dragon named Toothless.
In third place was Disney/Pixar’s new animated original, Elio, which earned $10.7 million. The film centers on a boy mistakenly identified by aliens as Earth’s ambassador. The voice cast includes Academy Award-winner Zoe Saldana.
Universal’s horror sequel M3GAN 2.0 opened in fourth place with $10.2 million, falling short of expectations. “The concept of an AI-powered, child-sized robot doll captivated audiences the first time, but interest has clearly waned,” Gross noted.
Columbia Pictures’ 28 Years Later secured fifth place with $9.7 million. Directed by Danny Boyle, the sequel continues the story decades after the original Rage Virus outbreak. Both critics and viewers have responded favorably.
The rest of the top 10 included:
- Lilo & Stitch – $6.9 million
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – $4.2 million
- Materialists – $3 million
- Ballerina – $2.1 million
- Karate Kid: Legends – $1 million
