The latest box office update for Tron: Ares is enough to overtake a Disney movie. After its release in early October, the new installment of the sci-fi franchise had a disappointing box office, making just $33 million during its debut weekend. This was way under the movie’s original projected $40 million, which would’ve at least leveled with the 2010 installment, Tron: Legacy.
After three weeks in theaters, Tron: Ares is now expected to make $63.1 million domestically. This comes after a 58% drop from the previous week, while adding $4.5 million from 2,940 screens. On the other hand, the sci-fi sequel will surpass a Disney box office disappointment, Fantasia 2000, which was released in 1999. The musical anthology made $60 million domestically.
Jared Leto’s Ares staring at a wall of code in Tron: AresWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In addition, Tron: Ares will climb Disney’s domestic highest-grossing charts at #231, just under Nicolas Cage’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which made $63.15 million. It will also be just ahead of Miley Cyrus’ The Last Song, which earned $62.9 million.
With the budget expected to be around $180 million to $220 million, it’s been reported that Tron: Ares could lose up to $132 million at the box office. While the third installment has already passed the original movie in the franchise’s box office, it’s unlikely to catch up with Legacy, which ultimately made $409 million globally.
Tron Movies
Domestic Box Office
Tron (1982)
$33,000,000
Tron: Legacy (2010)
$172,062,763
Tron: Ares (2025)
$63,100,000
Ares’ box office disappointment comes at a time when Disney has faced several struggles within the year. While the Lilo & Stitch remake became the first and only movie this year to make $1 billion, that success has been negated by the underwhelming commercial performances of Snow White, Thunderbolts*, and Fantastic Four: First Steps.
In contrast, their competitive studio, Warner Bros., has seen incredible success, which led to their record-breaking stream of seven movies making over $40 million.
Tron: Ares was directed by Joachim Rønning, with an ensemble cast featuring Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Hasan Minhaj. Jeff Bridges also marks his return in the third installment.
Although critics were mixed about Ares, with a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score, with criticism towards Leto’s performance and lackluster storytelling. However, the visual effects and score were the more redeemable factors. On the other hand, audiences were more welcoming to the new installment, which led to an 89% Popcornmeter. Still, it wasn’t enough to spare the installment from box office disappointment, which has pundits questioning the factors that led to this scenario.
Nevertheless, it appears that the franchise’s future looks bleak, with one report from The Hollywood Reporter indicating that this could be the end of the series. However, as has been witnessed with movies like Thunderbolts*, there is still a chance that the movie could redeem itself via streaming. As of writing, Disney has now announced the streaming release date.
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