Apple just hit the apex of its theatrical ambitions. The tech giant’s racing blockbuster F1: The Movie has surged past $293 million at the global box office, setting a new record as the company’s most successful film release to date. That title was previously held by Napoleon with $221 million, but F1—with its star-studded cast, adrenaline-fueled visuals, and IMAX-powered presence—has taken the lead.

The film’s performance is especially impressive given Apple’s relatively small footprint in theatrical distribution. Prior efforts like Killers of the Flower Moon and Argylle had more modest runs, but F1 was built differently from the start. With $60 million in revenue coming solely from IMAX screens, and a deal that even sidelined Jurassic World Rebirth from U.S. IMAX theaters, F1 shows what happens when Apple fuses Hollywood storytelling with its tech-world precision.

That said, the road to profitability is still long. With production costs reportedly nearing $300 million and marketing spend around $100 million, the film’s break-even point is far from the checkered flag. But for Apple, profitability isn't the only victory lap. As F1 gains traction with moviegoers and fans alike, it cements Apple’s position as a serious force in cinematic storytelling—and proves the company’s media engine is just getting warmed up.