Jared Leto’s New Movie Falls Short of ‘Morbius’ on Opening Day
Disney’s Tron: Ares has hit theaters, topping the box office on its opening day, but the sci-fi sequel came in well below pre-release projections.
The film earned $14.3 million on Friday, including early screenings on Wednesday, from about 4,000 theaters. Industry tracking had predicted the movie could debut with more than $45 million.
The opening is also behind the first-day performance of Tron: Legacy, which earned $17.5 million in 2010. Critics have given Tron: Ares mixed reviews, though audiences were slightly more favorable. CinemaScore reported a “B+” grade from moviegoers.
Despite leading the box office, the film failed to outgross Morbius, which made $17.3 million on its first day, including Thursday previews, and went on to debut at $39 million.
This October, they are coming to our world.
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) July 17, 2025
Watch the brand-new trailer for Tron: Ares and experience it in theaters, filmed for IMAX, October 10. pic.twitter.com/a2z8Pnn3Ei
Tron: Ares, directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Jesse Wigutow from a story he co-created with David Digilio, is the third installment in the Tron franchise and a sequel to Tron: Legacy (2010). The ensemble cast includes Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, and Gillian Anderson. Jeff Bridges returns as Kevin Flynn.
The film has had a long production history. A sequel was first considered in 2010, with plans shifting toward a soft reboot in 2017 featuring Leto. Garth Davis was initially set to direct but left in early 2023.
Filming began in Vancouver in January 2024 and wrapped in May, after delays caused by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Nine Inch Nails composed the score, with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross also serving as executive producers, alongside Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski.
Tron: Ares premiered in Los Angeles on October 6 and opened widely in the U.S. on October 10. While the film showcases strong visuals and a notable cast, its box office numbers suggest it may struggle to meet expectations.
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