Disney’s Tron: Ares Crashes in Disappointing Box Office Debut

Disney’s highly anticipated franchise revival, Tron: Ares, has stumbled badly at the box office. The film opened to a domestic total of just $33.5 million from 4,000 theaters. This performance falls significantly below industry projections.

The disappointing start puts the future of the Tron franchise in serious jeopardy. According to Reuters, the film carries a hefty net production budget of $180 million. Its global opening of $60.5 million offers little reassurance.

How Ares Stacks Up Against Its Predecessor

The new film’s opening is a stark contrast to its predecessor. Tron: Legacy debuted to $44 million domestically fifteen years ago. That film went on to earn over $400 million globally during its theatrical run.

The financial underperformance is a major setback for the studio. Ares was a passion project for former Disney executive Sean Bailey. Its weak launch suggests audiences were not drawn back to the digital Grid.

Broader Box Office Impact and Hopes for Recovery

The film now relies heavily on positive audience scores to find its footing. Its Rotten Tomatoes audience score is a strong 87 percent. This is much higher than its lukewarm 57 percent critics’ score.

Elsewhere, the romantic crime-caper Roofman also opened softly. It earned an estimated $8 million against a modest budget. In limited release, Julia Roberts’ thriller After the Hunt posted a strong per-theater average.

The underwhelming performance of Tron: Ares signals a major franchise misstep for Disney. The film’s disappointing box office debut leaves its future, and the future of the entire series, on very unstable ground. Studio executives must now decide if the Grid is worth saving.

Info at your fingertips

How much did Tron: Ares cost to make?

The film’s net production budget was reported to be $180 million. This figure does not include the massive global marketing costs. It needs to earn significantly more to break even.

How does this opening compare to Tron: Legacy?

*Tron: Legacy* opened to $44 million in 2010. *Ares* opened with just $33.5 million. The new film’s start is over 20% weaker than the previous installment.

What are the audience scores for the film?

Audience reception is notably more positive than critical reviews. The film has an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also received a B+ grade from CinemaScore.

Who are the main stars of Tron: Ares?

Jared Leto stars as the program Ares. He is joined by Greta Lee as ENCOM CEO Eve Kim. Evan Peters also features as the villain Julian Dillinger.

Why is the box office performance so crucial?

Such a weak opening for an expensive film often prevents sequels. The financial risk is deemed too high. This likely ends plans for further *Tron* movies.