Disney’s much-anticipated sci-fi sequel Tron: Ares has had a disappointing start at the box office, earning just $33.5 million from 4,000 theatres across North America during its opening weekend. The film added $27 million from international markets, bringing its total global earnings to $60 million.
The performance of Tron: Ares is well below expectations, especially given its massive $180 million production budget, not including marketing expenses. Before its release, analysts predicted a domestic debut between $45 million and $50 million.
While the film delivered impressive visuals and action scenes, its appeal remained limited. Premium formats such as IMAX and Dolby contributed significantly, accounting for 67% of total ticket sales. However, nearly 70% of the opening weekend audience was male, showing that Tron: Ares struggled to reach a wider demographic.
Despite earning a “B+” CinemaScore, the film failed to match the $44 million opening of its predecessor, Tron: Legacy, released in 2010. Still, it surpassed the original 1982 Tron, which earned $4.7 million in its debut.
Directed by Joachim Rønning, Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters. The film explores humanity’s first encounter with artificial intelligence, continuing the franchise’s legacy of blending technology and emotion.
Industry analyst David A. Gross from Franchise Entertainment Research commented that early tracking was strong but declined sharply before release. He noted that effects-driven sci-fi films like Tron: Ares often perform better internationally, where visual storytelling appeals to broader audiences.
Other new releases also struggled this weekend. Channing Tatum’s Roofman debuted at $8 million, while Jennifer Lopez’s Kiss of a Spider Woman opened with just $840,000.
Overall, the North American box office remains sluggish, with domestic ticket sales only 4% higher than in 2024. Whether Tron: Ares can recover through international markets and long-term word-of-mouth remains to be seen.
In other news read more about: Rihanna Celebrates 20 Years Since Debut Album Release
