The latest installment in the Tron franchise, Tron Ares, claimed the top spot at the US box office this weekend with a domestic opening of 33.5 million dollars. Despite leading the charts, analysts say the performance falls short of expectations for a major science fiction blockbuster.
The film faced financial pressure from the start. With a production budget estimated at 180 million dollars, it will need strong international support to recover costs and reach profitability. Global markets are expected to play a crucial role in determining its success.
Critics and audiences have given mixed reactions. While Tron Ares impresses with striking visuals and high energy sequences, many viewers feel it lacks the emotional depth and narrative strength of a memorable franchise revival. The long gap since Tron Legacy has also made it harder to reengage the fan base.
This opening falls below Tron Legacy, which debuted with 44 million dollars in its first weekend. Industry watchers are keeping a close eye on its second week performance, international earnings, and streaming potential to see if it can make up ground.
Other weekend releases trailed behind. Roofman opened with 8 million dollars, while One Battle After Another earned 6.6 million dollars in its third week, supported by strong word of mouth. Still, Tron Ares remains the most talked about release of the weekend, even if its early numbers suggest a challenging road ahead.