Disney’s Tron: Ares kicked off its run with a $33.5 million domestic debut, pulled from roughly 4,000 theaters this weekend. The sci‑fi sequel entered the market with eyes on a bigger haul, but the result falls short of typical expectations for a blockbuster of its scale.
Globally, the film has inched to about $60 million, with overseas markets contributing around $27 million. The production price tag sits near $180 million, excluding marketing costs, underscoring the need for a stronger international footprint to balance the budget.
Audiences most notably saw the movie in premium formats, which helped account for about two‑thirds of ticket sales. Despite a generally positive exit response—CinemaScore around B+—the film failed to broaden its appeal beyond its core sci‑fi audience. That result lags behind the 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy, which opened to $44 million.
Two fellow newcomers also faced headwinds: Roofman opened with about $8 million across 3,340 locations, while Kiss of the Spider Woman debuted to roughly $840,000 from 1,300 screens. Each title carries a relatively modest budget and marketing outlay, leaving them with a steep climb to profitability.
Holdovers rounded out the top of the box office: One Battle After Another drew about $6.7 million, followed by Soul on Fire with around $3 million. The weekend underscored a subdued October, with overall ticket sales running behind blockbuster‑driven venues of years past.
Industry analyst David A. Gross notes momentum can swing quickly, and a soft domestic start doesn’t determine a film’s fate. The international market has historically provided some lift for sci‑fi sequels.
Source: Original article
