Tron: Ares Disappoints Despite #1 Finish
Despite a notable budget and a marketing campaign to match, Disney’s Tron: Ares failed to light up the box office with its neon glow, generating a disappointing $33.5 million, which fell well short of expectations. In contrast, the film Roofman served as savvy counter-programming, performing as anticipated with an estimated $8 million. The week’s box office results lagged behind the previous week, when Taylor Swift dominated the charts, and also trailed compared to the same period in 2024, when Terrifier 3 delivered an unexpected surprise.
Top Title: Tron: Ares (Disney) | $33.5M / 4,000 Screens / $8,375 PSA | Week 1
Top Opener: Tron: Ares (Disney) | $33.5M / 4,000 Screens / $8,375 PSA | Week 1
Best PSA: After the Hunt (Amazon/MGM) | $154.46K / 6 Screens / $25,745 PSA | Week 1
The audience was predominantly male, making up 68% of ticket sales compared to 32% female. Those under 25 accounted for only 30% of sales, while individuals aged 25-54 contributed 60% of the total revenue. Here’s a closer look at the demographics…
How did these changes happen? Despite generating ancillary revenue from video games, soundtracks, and theme park attractions, Tron has never been recognized as a successful theatrical franchise. It is more akin to a cult oddity, primarily known for paving the way for other computer-oriented films like The Matrix. Another issue is that, rather than building on the previous film, this movie features an almost entirely new cast, including Jared Leto. The cast skews older, with minimal name recognition and limited appeal to audiences under 25. While the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack has received praise, the 90s industrial rockers have little resonance with younger viewers. Original lead Jeff Bridges has been relegated to a near-cameo, a decision that may have alienated the existing fanbase of the franchise.
It’s reasonable to think that Disney may have greenlit this movie as a promotional tool for the TRON Lightcycle Run ride at two of its parks, particularly given the 15-year gap since Legacy. As an example of corporate synergy, Tron: Ares might have fulfilled its intended purpose, even if it does not generate substantial box office revenue. The studio employed a similar strategy with 2017’s Cars 3, which was met with critical disappointment and was one of Pixar’s weakest performers at the time, earning $152.9 million domestically. However, it managed to offset that shortfall by generating significant revenue from merchandising.
Overseas, Tron: Ares generated $27 million from 51 key markets, covering almost the entire international footprint except for China, which is set to launch on the 17th. The top three markets included Mexico ($2.9 million), the UK ($2.4 million), and France ($1.9 million). IMAX screens contributed $10.4 million globally, with $6.6 million coming from domestic earnings, accounting for 20% of the film's stateside opening. The total global revenue for the film currently stands at $60.5 million.
Number 2- Roofman
Paramount Pictures | NEW
$8M 3-Day Opening Weekend