Tron: Ares and Roofman underwhelm at box office
The reboot Tron: Ares and the caper film Roofman are coming in below their opening weekend estimates. Initial reports confirm that both Tron: Ares and Roofman underperformed at the box office on their opening weekend of October 10-12, 2025. Tron: Ares, a highly anticipated blockbuster from Disney, earned a disappointing mid-$30 million range, while the Channing Tatum-led film Roofman struggled to a projected $8 million. Tron: Ares earned less on its opening day than its predecessor, 2010's Tron: Legacy, which took in $44 million over its opening weekend.
With a reported production budget of $180 million, the film's $35–$37 million domestic opening weekend leaves a long and uncertain path to profitability. Critics were not enthusiastic, giving the film a "rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers praised the visuals and the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack but found the storytelling and script to be underwhelming. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes was significantly higher than the critics' score, and it received a B+ CinemaScore. However, this audience reaction was not strong enough to encourage an urgent weekend turnout.
Roofman starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst is expected to earn around $8 million for its opening weekend. Produced for a budget between $17 million and $19 million, Roofman has a much clearer path to breaking even than Tron: Ares and may still prove profitable through its theatrical run and VOD sales. Critical reviews were largely positive, with the Rotten Tomatoes score coming in at 82%. Many critics praised the performances of Tatum and Dunst, along with director Derek Cianfrance's empathetic and heartfelt take on the true story.
Some analysts suggest that audience habits have changed post-COVID, with moviegoers being more selective and only turning out for films that create a significant "fear of missing out".
Both films faced competition from major sporting events, including NFL games and MLB playoffs, as well as new and lingering titles in the marketplace. In the case of Tron: Ares, its underperformance may reflect a fatigue with expensive, visual-effects-driven franchise entries that lack strong critical approval or character development.