'Tron: Ares' opens with $14.3M as Jared Leto film performs worse than 'Morbius'

Tron: Ares has officially opened below expectations, earning $14.3 million on its first day despite anticipation for Jared Leto’s return to blockbuster sci-fi.

The film’s debut places it behind Leto’s earlier comic book outing, Morbius, which collected $17.3 million on its opening day.

While critical reception for Tron: Ares has been mixed, with a 57 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, general audiences appear more forgiving, giving the film a B+ CinemaScore. That suggests that while reviews may have tempered enthusiasm, word of mouth could help stabilise its performance over the coming weeks.

Industry projections had initially placed the film’s domestic opening weekend in the $44 million range, similar to 2010’s Tron: Legacy. However, current figures now estimate a lower total between $35 million and $37 million, underscoring a challenging market for high-budget franchises.

Despite its modest start, insiders note that Tron: Ares benefits from premium format screenings in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX, which could extend its run. Internationally, the film is projected to add another $40–45 million, bringing its global opening to a respectable but unspectacular total.

With an estimated production budget of $180 million, the film will likely need to reach around $450 million globally to break even. Still, audiences have praised Nine Inch Nails’ score, following in the footsteps of Daft Punk’s celebrated soundtrack for Tron: Legacy.

Greta Lee and Arturo Castro star alongside Leto in Disney’s latest instalment of the long-dormant franchise.