In theaters this weekend: ‘F1,’ ‘M3GAN 2.0’ and ‘Sorry, Baby’ : NPR
Hey movie lovers! If you’ve been wondering which films are burning rubber at the box office this weekend, here’s the lowdown — no fancy jargon, just straight talk.
F1 (Apple Original Films/Warner Bros.)
The Verdict: A turbo-charged win for Apple and Brad Pitt
Plot & Direction:
F1 is a high-octane Formula One drama directed by Joseph Kosinski (of Top Gun: Maverick fame) and produced by action maestro Jerry Bruckheimer. The film stars Brad Pitt as a veteran racer returning to the track, and it’s the first big-screen Apple Original Films tentpole — and boy, does it make a statement.
Performances:
Brad Pitt delivers a charismatic performance as always, bringing emotional depth and physical believability to his role. The supporting cast keeps up well, but Pitt is clearly the fuel driving this engine.
Visuals & Cinematography:
With IMAX and PLF (premium large format) showings, F1 offers a cinematic thrill. The racing scenes are adrenaline-pumping and incredibly immersive — think Ford v Ferrari, but glossier and more high-tech. You really feel like you’re in the driver’s seat.
Music & Sound Design:
The score is pulse-quickening and perfectly tuned to every hairpin turn and pit stop. Combined with stunning visuals, the sound mix adds to the immersive theater experience.
Box Office & Buzz:
Preview numbers are revving high — $10M in early showings alone, with an estimated global debut of $115M+. That’s stronger than Ford v Ferrari, Napoleon, or even Killers of the Flower Moon. Social media reach? A staggering 845.6M, even rivaling the likes of Mission: Impossible. Audiences are loving it too — 97% on Rotten Tomatoes audience score!
M3GAN 2.0 (Universal/Blumhouse/Atomic Monster)
The Verdict: The killer doll sequel can’t quite reboot the magic
Plot & Direction:
M3GAN 2.0 tries to pick up where the first left off, but it feels more like a software patch than a full upgrade. Directed by Gerard Johnstone (again), the film leans into more of the same — creepy doll antics, dark humor, and tech-gone-wrong themes.
Performances:
Nothing groundbreaking here. The cast gives serviceable performances, but M3GAN herself feels like she’s glitching a bit — less fresh, more formula.
Visuals & Effects:
While the production is polished, the novelty of M3GAN’s lifelike AI eeriness wears thin this time. It’s sleek but lacks the shock factor of the original.
Music & Tone:
The soundtrack and sound effects do their job, but the overall tone struggles between campy fun and horror. It doesn’t land as confidently as the first installment.
Box Office & Buzz:
Previews brought in $1.5M (lower than the first film’s $2.75M), and projections put it at a modest $10M weekend opening — far from the high teens that were expected. Critics are cooling off too: it’s dropped to 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, a big dip from the original’s 93%. No audience score yet, but it feels like fans are less enthusiastic this time around.
Other Notable Mentions:
- How to Train Your Dragon continues to soar with nearly $200M grossed — this weekend could push it past that mark!
- Pixar’s Elio is holding its ground with a $43M+ total after two weekends.
- 28 Years Later is fading fast, down 67% in its second weekend.
- Lilo & Stitch just crossed a massive $400M milestone — only the second film to do so this year after Minecraft: The Movie.
Final Take:
If you’re craving a big-screen experience, F1 is the one to watch — fast, furious, and fantastic. It’s a major win for Apple and Warner Bros., and proves that prestige meets popcorn thrills can work.
M3GAN 2.0, on the other hand, feels like it’s running on outdated software. It might entertain loyal fans, but it’s not the breakout hit the original was.
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