F1 (Film) Reviews 2025: Is It Worth Watching? Brad Pitt & Scores

Few films arrive with as much built-in spectacle as one where Brad Pitt actually straps into a Formula One car and races it. By July 2025, it has already generated strong audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes at 82% while critics have been more mixed at 70%, setting up an interesting split worth understanding—here’s what the reviews, box office numbers, and expert opinions actually say about whether this one lands.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 70% from critics, 82% from audience (as of July 2025) ·
IMDb rating: 6.8/10 (over 12,000 user ratings) ·
Production budget: Approximately $300 million ·
Box office revenue: $220 million globally (first three weeks) ·
Runtime: 145 minutes

Is the new F1 film any good?

Critical consensus and aggregate scores

The Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus calls it a “souped-up engine with vintage cool,” praising Brad Pitt’s laidback magnetism and Joseph Kosinski’s kinetic direction (Rotten Tomatoes). The Tomatometer sits at 82% from 367 critic reviews, while the audience Popcornmeter is at 97% (Rotten Tomatoes). IMDb users give it a 6.8/10 based on over 12,000 ratings (IMDb).

IndieWire describes it as a solid summer blockbuster that never quite reaches top gear. The Guardian’s reviewer notes the “panache with which director Joseph Kosinski puts it together is very entertaining” despite the story’s silliness (The Guardian).

Audience vs. critic divide

The gap between critics (82%) and audiences (97%) on Rotten Tomatoes tells an interesting story. Critics tend to point out the weak plot and lack of character depth, while general audiences respond to the racing spectacle and visual intensity. The Roger Ebert review calls it “expertly crafted, but rarely transportative — cold and machinelike” despite its technical brilliance (Roger Ebert).

The BBC review is harsher, calling it “a non-starter” due to a lack of tension, noting the story “simply hops around” without building stakes (BBC). On the other hand, audience reviews on Reddit describe it as “flawed but genuinely enjoyable — see in IMAX” (Reddit r/moviecritic).

What this means: If you value racing realism and IMAX-level spectacle, F1 delivers. If you need a tight plot and emotional depth, you’ll find the engine louder than the story.

Is the F1 movie a hit or a flop?

Box office performance

Opening weekend results were strong: $55.6 million domestically, making it Brad Pitt’s second-biggest opening behind World War Z (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial). IMDb reports the U.S. opening at $57,001,667, with the film opening at the top spot (IMDb). The worldwide opening came in at $146.3 million (Wikipedia).

By its second weekend, domestic gross dropped to $26.1 million, and by the third weekend to $13.1 million (Wikipedia). As of mid-July 2025, the worldwide total stands at roughly $634.1 million (Wikipedia), while IMDb cites $631.7 million (IMDb).

Production costs and break-even point

The production budget is estimated at $300 million, though IMDb lists it at $200 million (IMDb). With marketing costs added, industry analysts suggest the film needs to clear roughly $600–750 million in global box office to break even. At $634 million worldwide, it’s close to that threshold.

Wikipedia reports the film has become the highest-grossing in Brad Pitt’s career, surpassing World War Z, and is being called Apple’s first box-office hit (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: For Apple, a theatrical profit is gravy. The real win is having a headliner that draws subscribers. For traditional box office math, F1 is a borderline success that leans on streaming to close the gap.

Does Brad Pitt really drive in the F1 movie?

Extent of Brad Pitt’s actual driving

Yes — Brad Pitt underwent months of training with a former F1 driver, and he drove modified F1 cars on real race tracks for close-up shots (king5.com (local news)). Professional drivers took over for high-speed stunts and safety-critical sequences. The result is a mix of Pitt’s real driving and pro stunt work that blends seamlessly on screen.

Training and preparation by former F1 driver

The training program was extensive. Pitt worked with an unnamed former Formula One driver who taught him the physics, braking points, and physical demands of driving an F1 car. The king5.com report details how the former driver structured Pitt’s training to build both skill and safety awareness.

This commitment to authenticity is one reason critics praise the racing realism. The Action Elite review notes the IMAX sound is “so immersive it felt like being in the driver’s seat” (The Action Elite). Rotten Tomatoes First Reactions emphasize the film “must be seen on an IMAX screen” (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).

The implication: The driving is real enough to satisfy purists. It’s not a CGI fest — the camera captures actual movement, sound, and speed. That alone lifts the film above typical sports dramas.

Is it worth watching the F1 movie?

Pros and cons

Best format to watch (IMAX recommendation)

Every major review that mentions format says IMAX is the definitive way to see F1. The film was shot with IMAX-certified cameras, and the sound mix is designed for large-format theaters. The Action Elite calls the IMAX experience “immersive” (The Action Elite), and Rotten Tomatoes First Reactions say it’s a must-see in IMAX (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial). If you skip IMAX, you lose a big part of what makes the film work.

Target audience

This movie is for motorsport fans first, spectacle seekers second, and drama purists last. If you love Formula One, you’ll forgive the thin plot because the racing authenticity is top-tier. If you want a character-driven story with emotional stakes, F1 will feel like a long ride to nowhere. The Reddit consensus from r/moviecritic sums it up: “Flawed but genuinely enjoyable — see in IMAX.”

The pattern: F1 is a test of what you go to movies for. If you go for thrill and craft, it delivers. If you go for story and depth, you’ll leave checking your watch.

What do critics say about the F1 film?

Top critic compilation

The Guardian describes it as a “spectacular macho melodrama,” praising the panache of Kosinski’s direction (The Guardian). The BBC calls it “a non-starter” due to a story that “simply hops around without building tension” (BBC).

Roger Ebert’s review notes the film is “expertly crafted crowd pleaser, rarely transportative” (Roger Ebert). IndieWire describes it as a “solid summer blockbuster that never quite reaches top gear” (IndieWire).

A Reddit user on r/moviecritic offers an audience perspective: “Flawed but genuinely enjoyable — see in IMAX.” The Action Elite says the “IMAX sound was so immersive it felt like being in the driver’s seat” (The Action Elite).

Common criticisms

The most consistent complaint across reviews is the lack of dramatic tension. Critics from the BBC, Roger Ebert, and IndieWire all note that while the racing footage is thrilling, the story is thin and the characters lack depth. The Guardian’s review says it’s “silly” but entertaining — a trade-off that works for some and not others (The Guardian).

Praise points

Brad Pitt’s performance and racing authenticity get near-universal praise. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus calls Pitt’s performance “vintage cool” (Rotten Tomatoes). The cinematography, IMAX sound, and Hans Zimmer’s score are highlighted as standout elements that elevate the experience beyond a standard sports movie.

“The panache with which director Joseph Kosinski puts it together is very entertaining.”

— The Guardian review

“No tension to speak of, the story simply hops around.”

— BBC review

“Expertly crafted crowd pleaser, rarely transportative — cold and machinelike.”

— Roger Ebert review

“Flawed but genuinely enjoyable — see in IMAX.”

— Reddit user, r/moviecritic

The editor’s note

For viewers in the U.S., the decision comes down to expectations. If you want a Formula One movie that respects the sport and delivers spectacle, F1 is your best bet this summer. If you want a deep story with character arcs, you might want to wait for the next Christopher Nolan drama. For Apple, the film is already a win — it’s their first bona fide box-office hit and a streaming magnet for racing fans who also enjoy director Joseph Kosinski’s previous work.

For the average moviegoer considering a ticket, the calculation is simple: if you love the roar of engines and the thrill of speed, book IMAX seats. If you need a story that moves you, save your money for a drama. The film lives on its craft, not its writing — and that’s a perfectly honest trade-off.

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