Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film was released globally on June 27 and has quickly become one of the most talked-about cinematic spectacles of the year. In Nigeria, it’s proving to be a crowd-puller.
Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, F1 has grossed ₦133.9 million in just three weeks, making it one of the top-performing international releases in Nigeria for 2025.
The film launched with a strong ₦56.5 million opening weekend and has maintained impressive momentum, even with competition from recent Nollywood heavy-hitters.
The story behind the speed
In F1, Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 driver who returns to the track to mentor a young phenom and help a struggling team reclaim its former glory.
The film co-stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem, with Lewis Hamilton serving as co-producer, bringing authenticity to the film’s high-octane world.
Shot during actual Grand Prix weekends, F1 blends behind-the-scenes racing drama with breathtaking real-world footage, giving audiences a visceral feel for the sport’s grit and glamour.
With a reported production budget between $200–300 million, F1 has already grossed over $463 million globally, including $155 million from the U.S. and $307 million from international markets, buoyed by enthusiastic audiences across Europe, Asia, and now Africa.
These figures place F1 ahead of several past blockbusters, surpassing the global totals of A Star is Born ($436M), The Bourne Ultimatum ($442M), and John Wick: Chapter 4 ($447M). At this pace, F1 could accelerate toward the coveted billion-dollar club.
