Brad Pitt’s latest sports thriller, F1: The Movie, is racing toward an impressive start at the Indian box office. The film has exceeded all expectations in its advance bookings. As of 8 PM on Thursday, it had sold over 55,000 tickets across India’s top three multiplex chains – PVRInox and Cinepolis. By midnight, this number is expected to cross 65,000.
IMAX Screens Are the First Choice for Viewers
There’s high demand for the IMAX format in the film’s advance bookings, as the producers have promoted it as a grand visual experience. Audiences are excited to watch this racing drama on the biggest screen possible.
Opening Day Collection Expected to Touch ₹5 Crore
According to trade experts, F1 is likely to earn close to ₹5 crore on its opening day in India. That’s an excellent start for a non-franchise Hollywood release in the country.
Strong Weekend Advance Sales
The buzz isn’t limited to the opening day – weekend ticket sales have also been strong. This indicates that F1 is on track for a successful opening weekend in India.
A Standalone Film Making a Big Impact
What’s notable is that F1 isn’t part of any existing Hollywood franchise or cinematic universe. Yet, it has managed to generate massive advance bookings. So far, Oppenheimer holds the record for the highest advance bookings among non-franchise Hollywood films in India – and F1 may soon take the second spot.
Among the Top 25 International Films in Advance Sales
F1: The Movie has earned a place among the top 25 international films released in India based on advance bookings, likely landing near the 23rd position.
₹20 Crore+ Expected Over the Opening Weekend
Industry estimates suggest that the film’s net box office collection in India over the opening weekend could be around ₹20 crore, with the gross box office collection (GBOC) reaching up to ₹24 crore. Future success will largely depend on word-of-mouth. Early reviews from Western audiences are quite positive.
A Golden Friday for Indian Cinemas
All in all, the strong opening of F1: The Movie has brought a wave of optimism to Indian cinema exhibitors. With the pace it’s picking up, Brad Pitt’s racing film could very well set new records at the box office.
