Why 'Tron: Ares' Is Projected to Lose Over $132 Million for Disney
Disney’s Tron: Ares is turning into one of the studio’s steepest box office setbacks of 2025, with industry sources confirming the sci-fi sequel is expected to lose over $132 million. The film, directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Jeff Bridges, reportedly carried a net production cost of $220 million—much higher than the $170–$180 million previously circulated.
Disney’s Tron: Ares is projected to lose over $132 million after underperforming globally despite a massive $220M production budget.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Through its second weekend, Tron: Ares had earned a worldwide total of $103 million, including an $11.1 million domestic weekend marked by a steep 67% drop. Analysts estimate that even if the film reaches a $160 million global gross, its final losses will remain substantial.
At that projected box office total, Tron: Ares would generate approximately $72.2 million in theatrical rentals, $37.6 million in home entertainment, and around $100 million in television revenue, with additional airline rights bringing overall returns to about $214.8 million. These figures fall short of the $347.5 million total expenditure, which included $102.5 million in global marketing costs and promotional events such as light cycle tours and a Nine Inch Nails concert at the film’s Los Angeles premiere.
Industry observers attribute the film’s poor performance to a lack of clear creative vision and the franchise’s limited mainstream appeal. The Tron brand, which originated in 1982, has long been considered a cult property rather than a box office powerhouse. Tron: Legacy in 2010 offered moderate success, grossing nearly $400 million, but its follow-up struggled to connect with modern audiences.
Sources indicate that Rønning had sought a new script by Ford v Ferrari writer Jez Butterworth, though the studio proceeded with Jesse Wigutow’s draft. Later, Captain Phillips screenwriter Billy Ray was brought in for targeted rewrites during reshoots. Despite these adjustments, the final product failed to generate strong word of mouth, receiving a CinemaScore of B+, identical to Tron: Legacy.
Audience data revealed that Tron: Ares resonated mainly with older demographics, with 70% of its audience over 25 years old. The 13–17 age group accounted for just 6% of ticket buyers, suggesting limited engagement with younger moviegoers. Meanwhile, the 18–24 demographic gave the film its lowest recommendation score at 44%.
The movie’s challenges have reignited discussion about the viability of mid-tier sci-fi franchises outside of established universes like Star Wars or Star Trek. Even with the Tron brand’s presence in Disney theme parks, particularly at Shanghai Disneyland and Walt Disney World, that popularity did not translate to the box office.
Analysts note that many iconic franchises have recovered from past failures, pointing to the Alien, Planet of the Apes, and Superman series as examples of long-term revitalization. Whether Tron will eventually find a similar resurgence remains uncertain, but Tron: Ares has struggled to power up Disney’s sci-fi ambitions in 2025.
