The upcoming film Tron: Ares is poised for a robust box office opening, expected to generate between $45 million and $50 million in North American theaters. This sequel to Disney’s iconic franchise is scheduled for release on October 10, 2025, and despite receiving mixed reviews, it is capturing significant audience interest ahead of its debut.
Directed by Joachim Rønning, Tron: Ares explores humanity’s first encounter with artificial intelligence as a digital program crosses into the real world. The international box office projections suggest an additional $40 million to $45 million, potentially bringing its global opening to a total of $95 million. This figure aligns closely with the debut of Tron: Legacy, which opened with $44 million in 2010, not adjusted for inflation.
The franchise began with the original Tron film in 1982, which grossed $50 million worldwide against a production budget of $17 million. In contrast, Tron: Ares has a reported production cost of $180 million, making it the most expensive installment in the series. Early reviews have yielded a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 97 critics, yet audience tracking indicates a more favorable reception than anticipated.
The film features a star-studded cast led by Jared Leto, alongside notable actors such as Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, and Gillian Anderson. Jeff Bridges reprises his iconic role as Kevin Flynn from previous films. The score for Tron: Ares has been composed by Nine Inch Nails, with a release planned through Interscope Records.
In addition to Tron: Ares, other films are entering the competitive box office landscape. Paramount will release Roofman this weekend, starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, with projections estimating an opening between $8 million and $12 million. Meanwhile, Kiss of the Spider Woman, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna, is anticipated to earn between $1.5 million and $3 million.
As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on how Tron: Ares performs against its competitors and whether it can surpass expectations at the box office.