After being a box office smash around the world, F1: The Movie It's now available on Apple TV. The production, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, has made the definitive leap to streaming and has become one of the platform's biggest draws, especially for those who are still craving Formula 1 after the end of the season.
The feature film, which premiered in theaters last summer to a much better reception than many expected, It arrives in homes across Spain and Europe on Friday, December 12th.It does so with all its technical capabilities intact, with top-notch image and sound quality, and with the added advantage of being able to watch it included within the Apple TV monthly subscription, without additional payments.
Release date and how to watch "F1: The Movie" on Apple TV
Apple has set December 12 as the worldwide streaming release date of "F1: The Movie" on Apple TV, making it one of the Apple TV premieres in DecemberFrom that day forward, any user with an active subscription can play it directly, without needing to rent or buy it, something that did happen in the first months of digital availability.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, the film is included in the service's standard catalog. An Apple TV subscription costs €9,99 per month and provides full access to the rest of the original series, documentaries, and films. For those who haven't yet signed up, the company has launched a 7-day trial period linked to the film itselfThis is valid even for users who have already taken advantage of previous offers, as many viewers are discovering.
During that trial week, you can watch "F1: The Movie" and the entire catalog. Without aditional costsThe subscription can be cancelled at any time from the account settings; if done before the end of the promotional period, the remaining days of free access will be retained.
In addition, the film is coming to Apple TV. with the highest technical quality available on the platformincluding Dolby Vision for the image and Dolby Atmos for soundProvided the device and the television or soundbar are compatible, it's a way to experience something quite close to the cinema, but brought into the living room.
A story of redemption at the pinnacle of Formula 1
The plot of "F1: The Movie" revolves around Sonny Hayes, a Formula 1 talent whose career was cut short in the 90s Thirty years after a near-fatal accident, now a nomadic pilot competing wherever he gets paid the most, his life takes a turn when he receives a call from an old acquaintance.
That old friend is Rubén Cervantes, now owner of an F1 team on the verge of collapsePlayed by Javier Bardem, Cervantes desperately needs a game-changer to save the team from sporting and financial ruin. His idea is risky: to convince Sonny to return to Formula 1 and lead the team's revival in what could be his last season behind the wheel.
Hayes will have to share a garage with Joshua Pearce, a young, impulsive, and very talented pilotplayed by Damson Idris, the film explores the generational clash between veteran and rookie, creating a complex relationship where teammate is also rival. Throughout the championship, the film delves into the balance between collaboration and competition in an environment where every millisecond counts.
The protagonist's journey is not limited to the clues: The film presents Sonny's return as a quest for personal redemption.In this story, he will have to confront the ghosts of his past, the physical and mental aftereffects of the accident, and the pressure of a world that doesn't wait for second chances. The script plays with the tropes of sports drama, but combines them with a staging very focused on the realism of the competition.
High-level cast and cameos from the real paddock
One of the project's biggest draws is its cast. Brad Pitt takes on the role of Sonny Hayes With the approach of a veteran driver, a bit worn but still competitive. Alongside him, Damson Idris brings to life Joshua Pearce, the rookie destined for stardom who isn't willing to relinquish the spotlight easily.
The main cast is completed by Javier Bardem as Rubén CervantesThe team manager and a key figure in the plot, along with actors like Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Joseph Balderrama, who portray engineers, team directors, and other characters from the paddock. The result is a collection of performances that sustain both the tense sporting scenes and the more personal moments.
Added to all this a long list of special appearances by real Formula 1 figuresThis is unusual for productions of this type. Throughout the film, names like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Sergio "Checo" Pérez, and Oscar Piastri, among others, appear on screen playing themselves alongside their racing teams.
Hamilton's involvement goes beyond a simple cameo: The seven-time world champion is listed as a producer He has been one of the main driving forces behind ensuring the film respected the sport's codes and its real-world atmosphere. His involvement facilitated access to F1 teams, circuits, and resources, which is evident in the level of detail in many sequences.
Filming at real Grand Prix racetracks and using specific camera technology
If there's one reason people are talking about "F1: The Movie," it's because his commitment to authenticity in the racing scenesInstead of recreating the competition entirely by computer, Joseph Kosinski's team opted to film during real Grand Prix weekends in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, sharing the track with current Formula 1 cars.
The action sequences were used heavily modified Formula 2 single-seatersWith the collaboration of Mercedes and other technical suppliers, these cars were aesthetically adapted to resemble modern Formula 1 cars and equipped with safety systems suited to the demands of filming with actors at high speeds. Both Brad Pitt and Idris Damon drove them after a training process, always under professional supervision.
Kosinski's team developed new camera setups inspired by the previous work on "Top Gun: Maverick"Devices were installed in unusual locations on the single-seaters to capture the driver's point of view with a level of immersion previously seen more in video games than in film. These devices included systems that utilize iPhone-derived technology, adapted to withstand extreme vibrations and high speeds.
The footage obtained on the track is complemented by visual effects that They allow you to replace cars and decorate scenes as the story required.But always based on real footage. This combination of practical filming and VFX results in races where fans recognize maneuvers, curves, and iconic circuits like Silverstone, where some of the most spectacular sequences were filmed.
Box office, critical reception and streaming phenomenon
During its run in theaters, "F1: The Movie" became one of the biggest commercial surprises of 2025With a budget exceeding $200-250 million, the gamble by Apple and the studios involved generated doubts before the premiere, but the results ended up dispelling any misgivings.
Globally, the film has raised around $629-630 millionIt became the highest-grossing sports film of all time and Brad Pitt's most successful project to date. Furthermore, it's Apple's most successful original feature film of the year and one of the best live-action releases in recent US history.
Critical reception has accompanied that economic performance. On aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes, Around 80% of professional reviews are positiveThe film has garnered praise for its staging, track photography, and a soundtrack that enhances the sense of speed. Motorsports media outlets have also commended the way the sport is portrayed, despite the inevitable dramatic liberties.
Among the general public, user portal ratings place it among the highest-rated films of 2025 within the action and sports genre. Many viewers who came without high expectations have highlighted the balance between spectacle and narrative, and the feeling of watching F1 "from the inside" with an unusual level of closeness.
Formula 1 for fans… and for those who aren't so much fans
Although the logical target audience is Formula 1 and motor racing fansThe story's approach aims to go beyond its niche audience. The script opts for a classic sports drama, easy to follow even for those unfamiliar with the rules or race strategies, bolstered by the charisma of the main cast.
Pit lane scenes, technical briefings, and sponsor pressure are all on screen, but They don't overwhelm with incomprehensible jargonThe rivalry between Hayes and Pearce, the internal problems of the fictional APXGP team, and the fight for survival on the grid provide enough context for any viewer to get hooked without needing to be an expert in qualifying or tires.
At the same time, The nods to the regular F1 fan are very presentAppearances by real drivers, references to iconic circuits, recognizable riding styles, and paddock details usually only seen in documentaries. The mix makes the film work both as general entertainment and highly engaging content for those who follow the World Championship weekend after weekend.
With a large budget, filming on real circuits, a cast full of well-known names, and a streaming release that includes it in the Apple TV subscription, "F1: The Movie" It is establishing itself as one of the great cinematic events of the year. and as a very attractive option for those looking for a story of motorsports, rivalry and second chances without leaving the sofa.
