Disney’s latest high-tech adventure, Tron: Ares, was expected to electrify the box office this October. Instead, it has become one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Despite strong visuals, an acclaimed franchise legacy, and Jared Leto’s star power, the movie’s PG-13 sci-fi story couldn’t attract the kind of audience Disney hoped for.
Released on October 10, 2025, Tron: Ares opened to a modest $33.5 million in the U.S. — well below projections that suggested a debut closer to $45 million. Globally, the movie’s opening weekend reached about $60–65 million, and after three weeks, According to The Numbers reports, its worldwide total sits at approximately $126 million. While those figures might sound decent, they’re not nearly enough for a film made on a $180 million budget.
Even though Tron: Ares topped the U.S. box office during its first weekend, analysts quickly labeled it a financial underperformer. To break even, experts estimate the movie would need to earn at least $450 million worldwide — a number it’s unlikely to reach. This result makes it one of Hollywood’s most disappointing big-budget releases of 2025, joining titles like Black Phone 2 and Blue Moon that also fell short of expectations.
The film, directed by Joachim Rønning, stars Jared Leto as Ares, a program created to bridge the gap between the digital and human worlds. The cast also includes Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Jeff Bridges, who reprises his iconic role as Kevin Flynn.
Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi action and some language, the movie features dazzling visuals and complex emotional beats. However, critics note that its darker tone, slower pacing, and limited humor may have made it less appealing to families and casual viewers — audiences that typically boost Disney’s box office totals.
According to reports, October 2025 has turned out to be one of the weakest months for Hollywood in nearly 30 years. The total U.S. box office reached around $425 million, the lowest since 1997. For comparison, that year’s October brought in $385 million — which would be about $779 million today, adjusted for inflation.
Still, not everything about Tron: Ares has been negative. With a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score, it has found appreciation among sci-fi fans for its immersive world-building and stunning CGI design. Even with its box office struggles, the movie managed to become the 27th film of 2025 to cross the $125 million mark worldwide — a modest milestone in a difficult theatrical year.
Veteran actor Jeff Bridges recently spoke about the movie’s reception, offering a grounded perspective. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said, “It’s interesting how movies are received at first. Some films are called flops, but years later, people love them. You never know.”
Whether Tron: Ares eventually finds a second life as a cult favorite remains to be seen. For now, Disney’s ambitious sci-fi sequel serves as a reminder that even a glowing PG-13 adventure with cutting-edge visuals can fall short when audiences aren’t fully on board.