$AAPL Surges on F1 Film Success — But There’s Another Win for Long-Term Shareholders
Court: N.D. California
Case: 4:19-cv-02033
Apple’s $200M racing film F1, starring Brad Pitt, has racked up $237M globally since its June 26 release — marking the company’s biggest theatrical hit to date. The movie’s strong performance sent 
AAPL up 6% in five trading sessions, giving its media arm a rare financial win after years of costly flops like Argylle and Napoleon.
With the potential to become Apple’s first true film franchise, F1 might signal a turning point in Apple TV+ strategy. But while analysts focus on the box office buzz, another major development is flying under the radar: Apple quietly agreed to settle a long-standing investor lawsuit tied to its China sales disclosures in 2018.
📌 Key Facts- In November 2018, Apple downplayed concerns about iPhone demand in China.
- By January 2019, it slashed revenue guidance by $9B — the first such move since the iPhone’s debut.
- AAPL dropped 10% on the news.
- Investors sued, claiming Apple misled them about the company’s exposure to China-related risks.
Apple has agreed to a $490M settlement to resolve the case. Shareholders who bought AAPL before the January 2019 announcement may be eligible for a payout.
- The original deadline has passed, but late claims are being accepted.
- Eligibility depends on purchase date, not current holdings.
- Payouts usually take 8–12 months after court approval.
If you’ve held AAPL since before 2019 — or you’re just riding the stock’s Hollywood momentum — it may be worth checking if you qualify.
You can check more information about the settlement here and file for a payout.
What do you think: is F1 the start of Apple’s box office era, or just a one-off? Let’s hear it below.