Tron: Ares didn’t get off to the best start at the box office, but its support from audiences may be stronger than it appears. Ares is the third attempt by Disney to reboot the Tron franchise, this time with a new AI character played by Jared Leto. Programs are emerging from the Grid and into the real world in a battle between two gigantic tech conglomerates.

Ares is only the third film in a franchise that has existed for 43 years. There are decade-long gaps between each film, and Ares‘ opening weekend box office could explain why. The film made $60.5 million worldwide, coming in well below its projections. With a $180 million production budget, it’ll be a tough task for the film to become profitable for Disney.

With a 57% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, Ares may not have the best legs at the box office, especially with competition like Black Phone 2 and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere on the horizon. However, like the other two Tron movies, Ares‘ best days may be in the future, rather than in the theater.

The First 2 Tron Films Became Cult Classics After Similar Results As Ares

With a TV show, video games, and a theme park ride, it may seem like Tron is a more popular franchise than it actually is. The images of the Grid and its iconic games, like the lightcycle duels, are well-known to many, even if they haven’t seen the films. However, the truth is that the Tron franchise has never been a massive moneymaker for Disney.

The 1982 film was met with mixed reactions from critics and audiences, but was only a minor success at the box office, grossing $33 million worldwide. It faced criticism for its story, but was unanimously praised for its effects, visual aesthetic, bold sci-fi concepts, and synth score composed by Wendy Carlos.

It may not have been a hit when it premiered, but Tron developed a strong following, especially from people who watched it as kids. In 2010, Tron: Legacy rebooted the franchise with similar results. It received a 51% critic score on RT and grossed $400 million on a $170 million budget. Similarly, people were split on the story, but amazed by the visuals and the Daft Punk score.

Years later, many look back fondly on Legacy and believe the movie was underappreciated for its revolutionary effects and sci-fi storytelling. So far, Tron: Ares has already followed its predecessors in two ways: it received mixed reviews from critics, and it is underperforming at the box office.

However, critics still say it looks amazing visually, and that it has a great soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails. While moviegoers aren’t showing up in large crowds to see it, those who did check it out seem to like it. The film earned a B+ CinemaScore and has an 87% audience score on RT.

Ares is likely not going to be profitable for Disney, but history suggests it could be a hit once it lands on Disney+ and gain popularity over time. Tron’s not a cash cow for Disney, but it does have a stronger fan base than its box office returns would suggest. Tron: Ares does set up a sequel, but it may be another 15 years before that comes out.

Release Date

October 10, 2025

Runtime

119 minutes

Director

Joachim Rønning

Writers

Jesse Wigutow, David DiGilio, Steven Lisberger, Bonnie MacBird

Producers

Jared Leto, Jeffrey Silver, Sean Bailey, Steven Lisberger, Emma Ludbrook