Brad Pitt’s highly anticipated Formula One movie is set to hit theaters globally on June 25, 2025, with a North American release following on June 27, 2025. This announcement comes from a collaboration between Formula One and Apple Original Films, with Warner Bros. Pictures handling distribution, including IMAX screenings.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on “Top Gun: Maverick,” and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film promises to be a cinematic spectacle. The production has been in the works for over a year, with filming taking place during various Grand Prix weekends. The movie features Brad Pitt as a former driver making a comeback, alongside Damson Idris, who plays his rookie teammate at the fictional APX GP team.
The cast also includes notable names like Academy Award winner Javier Bardem and best supporting actress nominee Kerry Condon. The film aims to capture the excitement and drama of Formula One racing, with scenes shot during real F1 races, involving all ten teams on the current grid.
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is a co-producer, adding authenticity to the project. The production team has even set up a garage and pitwall stand for the fictional APX GP team, integrating seamlessly into the real-world F1 environment.
The movie’s plot centers around Pitt’s character, a seasoned driver returning to the sport, and his dynamic with Idris’s rookie character. This storyline is expected to resonate with both F1 fans and general audiences, offering a blend of high-speed action and emotional depth.
The film’s production faced challenges, including delays due to the Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) strike last year. However, filming has since resumed, with upcoming shoots planned at the British Grand Prix and other races leading up to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.
Formula One hopes this movie will build on the success of the Netflix docu-series “Drive to Survive,” which has significantly boosted the sport’s popularity, especially in the U.S. With three U.S. races now on the calendar in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas, the sport is experiencing unprecedented growth.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari at the end of the season, expressed his excitement about the project. “We’ve already seen the great work and impact of the Netflix show, and I think this will take it to new heights beyond that,” he said.
The film’s release strategy includes a substantial theatrical run, with a window of at least 30 days, ensuring it reaches a wide audience. This approach mirrors Apple’s previous partnerships with Paramount and Sony for films like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon.”
In addition to Pitt and Idris, the ensemble cast features Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, Samson Kayo, and Callie Cooke. The movie aims to immerse audiences in the world of Formula One, celebrating the skill and heroism of the drivers while showcasing the intense competition.
Apple Original Films and Formula One released a joint statement highlighting the film’s significance. “The movie is a landmark for the sport and cinema, filmed in real-time during grands prix around the world and involving the Formula 1 community, including all 10 teams, the drivers, the FIA, and race promoters,” the statement read. “The new feature film is set in the exhilarating and cinematic world of Formula 1 and will immerse audiences in the spectacle of the most popular annual sports series.”
With the film’s production continuing at full throttle, anticipation is building for its summer 2025 release. The combination of a star-studded cast, real-time racing footage, and the involvement of the F1 community promises a thrilling cinematic experience.
As the release date approaches, fans and moviegoers alike are eagerly awaiting what could be one of the most exciting films of 2025. The collaboration between Apple, Warner Bros., and the Formula One community sets the stage for a movie that could redefine sports cinema.
