A scene from Disney’s sci-fi, Tron: Ares. Image by Leah Gallo via Variety
Disney’s highly anticipated sci-fi sequel, Tron: Ares, struggled to ignite audiences during its North American debut. The film earned a modest $33.5 million from 4,000 theaters over the weekend, a disappointing start for the long-running franchise.
With a production budget of $180 million, not including marketing costs, the movie faces a steep climb to profitability. Internationally, Tron: Ares added $27 million, bringing the global total to just $60 million.
Expectations vs. Reality
Before its release, analysts predicted a domestic debut between $45 million and $50 million. The visually striking film, featuring neon-soaked action and advanced CGI, performed best in premium formats, with IMAX, Dolby, and 3D screens accounting for 67% of ticket sales.
Despite earning a “B+” CinemaScore — indicating viewers generally enjoyed the film — the audience largely consisted of young men. Nearly 70% of ticket buyers during opening weekend were male. This narrow demographic prevented the film from expanding its reach and matching the $44 million launch of 2010’s Tron: Legacy. Still, it outperformed the original 1982 Tron, which opened to $4.7 million and later gained cult status.
Starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, and directed by Joachim Rønning of Pirates of the Caribbean fame, the story explores humanity’s first encounter with artificial intelligence as a digital program enters the real world.
“The movie was tracking well initially, but interest stalled in the final 10 days before release,” noted David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. “Science fiction often performs better overseas. This effects-driven, good-versus-evil story resonates globally.”
Other October Releases Also Struggle
The weekend proved challenging for new releases beyond Tron: Ares. Channing Tatum’s dramedy Roofman earned $8 million from 3,340 theaters, hitting the lower end of projections. Independently financed, Jennifer Lopez’s musical Kiss of the Spider Woman bowed at No. 13 with a mere $840,000 from 1,300 screens.
Roofman, based on a true story of a former soldier and thief hiding in a Toys “R” Us, cost $19 million to produce, posing minimal financial risk. It earned a “B+” on CinemaScore and holds 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Analysts believe positive word-of-mouth could sustain its run.
Kiss of the Spider Woman, a $34 million production acquired by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate, follows a queer window dresser in an Argentinian prison imagining vivid stories to escape imprisonment. The remake faces the challenge of living up to the 1985 original, which grossed $17 million globally.
Holdovers and Specialty Titles
Leonardo DiCaprio’s comedic action epic One Battle After Another remained in third place with $6.7 million, down 38% from the previous weekend, totaling $54.5 million domestically. The film, costing over $130 million, requires strong continued box office performance to recoup its investment.
Sony’s faith-based Soul on Fire debuted at $3 million from 1,720 theaters. With an “A” CinemaScore, the inspirational story about a burn survivor has struck a chord with audiences.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine fell 70% in its second weekend, grossing $1.7 million from 3,321 venues. With a $50 million budget and $10.1 million earned to date, the sports drama is shaping up as a major financial loss.
Limited releases fared modestly. Luca Guadagnino’s #MeToo thriller After the Hunt earned $154,467 from six locations, while A24’s psychological drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You brought in $89,164 from four screens. Both films will rely on wider expansion to gauge commercial success.
Box Office Momentum Shifts
After a strong September, the last few weeks have underperformed, highlighting the volatile nature of the box office. “Momentum changes quickly,” Gross noted. With no major October blockbuster, domestic ticket sales are only 4% ahead of 2024, underscoring the challenges facing studios this fall.
