“We elected not to go out and procure a catalog. I know that’s a faster way into the business, but it didn’t feel like Apple at the end of the day.” – Tim Cook
— Tim Cook, gpt5-web-search
“It was very, very complicated trying to have Apple and F1, two massive organizations that are very controlling of their own brands, to play along.” – Joseph Kosinski
— Joseph Kosinski, gpt5-web-search
F1: The Movie earned $293 million globally in just ten days. That number rewrote the rules of what Apple could achieve in Hollywood. Years earlier, CODA had done something just as shocking — it won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2022, the first streaming-service film ever to do so. ($293 million globally in ten days; CODA won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2022 was confirmed by Variety and TechCrunch) ( au.variety.com ) ($293 million globally in. ($293 million globally in.
But Apple’s approach has never followed the conventional Hollywood playbook. It blends streaming prestige with blockbuster ambition.
F1: The Movie breaks new ground at the box office
F1: The Movie became Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical film ever. It earned over $293 million worldwide in ten days. IMAX screenings banked about $60 million. That’s roughly 20% via large-format format. (macrumors.com)
The budget was nearly $250 million. It’s Apple’s costliest film yet. Distribution came through a partnership with Warner Bros. Apple retained streaming rights. (macrumors.com)
The result sent ripples through Hollywood. Apple now debates launching its own theatrical distribution division. That could shift power over scheduling, theaters, and ad budgets. (macrumors.com)
- Peak global earnings in record time.
- IMAX became core to Apple’s box office strategy.
- Enormous budgets raise questions about profitability thresholds.
- Evolving distribution model suggests greater control ahead.
CODA’s Best Picture win rewrote streaming’s credibility
In March 2022, CODA won Best Picture at the Oscars. It was the first streaming-service film to take that top award. That historic sweep also included Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur, and Best Adapted Screenplay for writer-director Siân Heder. Analysts note Apple’s acquisition right after Sundance proved transformative for the platform’s ambitions. (techcrunch.com)
The industry took notice. Studios and streamers reassessed how they qualify for Oscars. Awards marketing and theatrical windows came under scrutiny. The old guard tried to understand what had just happened. (latimes.com)
- Streaming platforms gained Oscars legitimacy.
- Theatrical runs became necessary for awards hopefuls.
- Minorer films adopted marketing and release tactics once reserved for blockbusters.
Who is Siân Heder?
Siân Heder, born June 23, 1977, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an American writer and filmmaker. She directed CODA and Tallulah. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama with a BFA. (wikipedia.org)
CODA won her the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film also won Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur. (wikipedia.org)
In 2021, Apple bought rights to CODA for $25 million after a competitive bidding war. Then Heder signed a multiyear taken together deal with Apple. That gave Apple first look on her features and exclusive series rights. (thewrap.com)
What is Apple Studios?
Apple Studios LLC is the film and television production subsidiary of Apple Inc. It was founded in October 2019. It produces original series and films for Apple TV+ and theatrical releases. (wikipedia.org)
It was founded under leadership of Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht. The company oversees Apple Original Series and Apple Original Films. (wikipedia.org)
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