Box Office Drama: Will Tron Ares Fail to Meet Expectations?
The Latest Box Office Predicament
We previously anticipated Tron: Ares to defy mediocre reviews and debut with a $40 million weekend, as indicated in our recent article (https://www.joblo.com/box-office-predictions-tron-ares-to-lead-the-weekend-with-a-so-so-opening/). However, Deadline (https://deadline.com/2025/10/box-office-tron-ares-1236577172/) reveals that the film is falling short, with an estimated opening in the $35-7 million range. This is a far cry from the $44 million Tron: Legacy earned during its opening weekend fifteen years ago, before adjusting for inflation.
But here's where it gets controversial: Tron movies have historically struggled to captivate audiences. The 1982 original underperformed, and Legacy didn't quite live up to Disney's sequel aspirations. Jared Leto's involvement adds an intriguing twist; his box office appeal is debatable, as evidenced by Morbius' infamous flop. Despite this, Tron: Ares seems to be resonating with viewers, earning a B+ CinemaScore.
Star Power vs. Box Office Reality
Channing Tatum's Roofman is projected to open with a modest $8 million, a surprising outcome for a star-led film. The movie's quality, as praised in our review (https://www.joblo.com/roofman-tiff-review/), may fuel word-of-mouth promotion, but it's concerning that such films struggle in theaters. It begs the question: Are star-driven dramas finding their home on streaming platforms instead? If Roofman had been released a decade ago, it might have been a different story. Meanwhile, One Battle After Another is on track for third place with $6.7 million, totaling $54 million. This modest success might still be profitable, and it's the type of film that studios should be backing, as evidenced by WB's decision to let Amazon produce Heat 2 (https://www.joblo.com/heat-2-leonardo-dicaprio/).
What's your take on the box office trends? Do you think Tron: Ares will find its audience worldwide? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
About the Author:
Editor-in-Chief - JoBlo, a movie enthusiast with a diverse taste in cinema.
