After years of revving in development limbo and burning through a rumored $300 million budget, F1: The Movie has finally crossed the first finish line—and it’s a checkered flag of critical acclaim. With early screenings held ahead of its June 25 UK theatrical release, the long-anticipated racing epic starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris is being celebrated as a cinematic adrenaline rush that blends real-life Formula 1 intensity with Hollywood spectacle.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and written by Ehren Kruger (Top Gun: Maverick, Ghost in the Shell), the film stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a once-legendary driver coaxed out of retirement to mentor and compete alongside rising star Joshua “Noah” Pearce, played by Idris. Their journey together—mentored by team manager Ruben (Javier Bardem)—propels them across the globe’s most iconic tracks, from Silverstone to the Vegas Strip.
With Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton, and Pitt himself producing, and real F1 collaboration baked into the film’s DNA, expectations were sky-high. And judging by the first critical responses, the film not only delivers—it soars.
“WOW! F1 is an action-packed thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score and cinematography are flawless,” raved Variety’s Jazz Tangcay on X. She called Pitt and Idris “great,” and signed off with “Absolutely obsessed.”
Clayton Davis, also from Variety, chimed in, “It’s the Jerry and Joe Show! Bruckheimer and Kosinski really do make audacious entertainment together.” He urged fans to “race to see this one in IMAX,” while highlighting the film’s Oscar-worthy visuals, particularly the work of cinematographer Claudio Miranda.
Nerdist’s Maude Garrett was equally floored: “It’s so freaking good. It has all the adrenaline, heart, pacing, story, and character that completely fleshes out this movie into excellence.” Garrett even joked she might now be an F1 fan purely because of the film.
The Wrap’s Drew Taylor delivered perhaps the most glowing praise yet, calling the movie, “absolutely incredible… one of the coolest, most entertaining movies you’ll probably ever see.” He emphasized that the film has both “sizzle” and “soul,” declaring it “an eye-popping, edge-of-your-seat pop epic.”
The popular podcast The Nerds of Color summed it up as: “A fun, fast-paced thrill ride with a ton of heart!” They hailed the race sequences as the film’s standout, saying they “truly put you in the driver’s seat.”
As the buzz builds ahead of its global release, one thing’s for sure—F1: The Movie isn’t just a love letter to motorsports, it’s a full-throttle, big-screen experience that delivers the kind of spectacle summer moviegoers crave. With soaring critical praise, star power, and the backing of racing royalty like Lewis Hamilton, F1 looks primed to dominate the box office like a front-row pole sitter at Monaco.
Strap in. This one’s not slowing down anytime soon.
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