Tron: Ares Rockets to Streaming Fame After Box Office Flop

After years of anticipation, the next chapter in the Tron saga finally hit cinemas last year, only to cop a rough time at the box office and split opinions among critics. Despite the lukewarm reception and a financial result that left Disney with a bit of a headache, the film has now found a new lease on life, racing to the number one spot on Disney+ both here and overseas.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, known for his work on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and penned by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, Tron: Ares returns punters to the digital world of The Grid. Jared Leto leads the cast as Ares, a sophisticated programme who manages to break out of the digital realm and into the real world, taking on a risky mission that marks a first encounter between humans and artificial intelligence.

Streaming Turnaround After Box Office Woes

Since landing on Disney+ just a week ago, Tron: Ares has shot straight to the top of the streaming charts. This quick rise suggests that interest in the franchise is far from dead, even if the film’s cinema run was a bit of a fizzer. The numbers tell the story: Tron: Ares pulled in only $142 million at the box office, well short of its hefty $180–220 million budget, making it Disney’s lowest earner for 2025.

Reviews were all over the shop. Critics were keen on the film’s “sensory feast of vivid neon hues and a hypnotic soundtrack”, but weren’t sold on the story, leaving it with a “rotten” 53% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, on the other hand, seemed to have a much better time, giving it an 84% on the Popcornmeter and praising “its colourful visual effects to Nine Inch Nails' rollicking beats.” Both sides agreed the visuals and music were top-notch, but only viewers felt that was enough to make up for the film’s other shortcomings.

Cast, Characters, and the Future of the Franchise

Whether Disney will take another crack at the Tron universe is anyone’s guess, especially after the financial hit. Still, the film’s streaming success could change a few minds at the top. If Tron: Ares keeps pulling in viewers, there’s a chance we’ll be back in The Grid sooner than expected.

The cast is stacked, with Jared Leto joined by Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Cameron Monaghan, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson, Sarah Desjardins, and Jeff Bridges, who’s been with the franchise since the start.

"TRON: Ares" follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings.