Last Updated: January 2026 | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Author: MacReview Editorial Team
Apple TV Plus has confirmed that F1: The Movie has become the streaming service’s most-watched film of all time. The Brad Pitt racing drama, which already set records as Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical release, has now achieved similar success in streaming following its December premiere on the platform.
From Box Office Success to Streaming Record
Apple announced the milestone through its official social media channels, declaring that F1: The Movie has surpassed all other films in Apple TV Plus viewership. The film became available for streaming on December 12, 2025, following earlier releases in theaters and on physical media formats including digital, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD.
The exact date when F1 overtook previous streaming records remains unconfirmed, but the achievement comes roughly six weeks after the film’s Apple TV Plus debut. This rapid ascent to the top spot underscores both the film’s broad appeal and the growing reach of Apple’s streaming platform.
Critical Recognition Adds to Commercial Success
Beyond its viewership numbers, F1: The Movie has earned recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with four Oscar nominations, including a nod for Best Picture. While industry observers consider the film unlikely to win the top prize, the nomination itself represents a significant achievement for Apple’s film division. The company has worked to establish credibility in both theatrical releases and streaming content, and F1’s dual success validates that strategy.
The film joins a growing library of high-profile Apple TV Plus movies that have attempted to bridge the gap between streaming and traditional cinema. Other notable titles in Apple’s catalog include The Gorge, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy in a science fiction action role, and Wolfs, which reunited George Clooney and Brad Pitt on screen.
What the Record Means for Apple TV Plus
The streaming landscape remains intensely competitive, with established players and new entrants vying for subscriber attention and retention. For Apple TV Plus, which launched with a relatively modest content library compared to competitors, high-profile successes like F1 provide crucial validation of the platform’s appeal.
The film’s performance demonstrates that Apple’s strategy of investing in theatrical releases before bringing content to streaming can pay dividends. By generating buzz through a traditional box office run, F1 arrived on Apple TV Plus with built-in awareness and demand that likely contributed to its record-breaking viewership.
Apple TV Plus is available as a standalone subscription for $12.99 per month, or bundled with other Apple services through Apple One, which offers a discounted rate for subscribers who want access to multiple Apple platforms.
FAQ
Q: What was the previous most-watched film on Apple TV Plus?
A: Apple has not publicly disclosed which film held the previous record for most-watched content on the platform before F1: The Movie took the top spot.
Q: Do I need a subscription to watch F1: The Movie?
A: Yes, the film requires an active Apple TV Plus subscription to stream. It is also available for purchase on digital platforms and in physical formats including Blu-ray and 4K UHD.
Q: How many Academy Award nominations did F1 receive?
A: F1: The Movie received four Oscar nominations in total, including Best Picture, which is the Academy’s highest honor for a film.
MacReview Verdict
F1: The Movie represents a meaningful milestone for Apple TV Plus, demonstrating that the platform can compete with established streaming services when it comes to delivering blockbuster content. The film’s dual success in theaters and streaming validates Apple’s hybrid release strategy and suggests the company is finding its footing in the entertainment industry. For subscribers, the record-breaking performance of F1 signals that Apple TV Plus is willing to invest in the kind of high-profile productions that drive platform adoption and retention. Whether this success translates into a sustainable pipeline of similar hits remains to be seen, but for now, Apple can claim a legitimate victory in the increasingly crowded streaming wars.
