Disney’s upcoming film, Tron: Ares, is poised for a significant debut this weekend. The movie is estimated to generate between $80 million and $90 million during its global opening. Comscore data indicates that the current fall box office has achieved a total of $673.8 million, an increase of $10.8 million compared to the same period last year.
Current Box Office Trends
The 2022 fall box office was heavily influenced by Warner Bros’ Beetlejuice, which grossed $294.1 million domestically and $452 million worldwide. In contrast, the films that have performed well in recent weeks catered to niche audiences. These include Crunchyroll/Sony’s Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which earned $125 million, and AMC’s Taylor Swift: Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which took in $34 million.
Additionally, New Line’s horror film, Conjuring: Last Rites, led the genre with $168.2 million domestically and $459.6 million worldwide. However, Tron: Ares is expected to capture a broader audience.
Box Office Predictions and Insights
Current studio and tracking predictions suggest a domestic opening of $40 million to $45 million across approximately 4,000 theaters. Tron: Ares features advanced ticket sales that began on September 4, yielding $7 million thus far. This is comparable to previous performances, like Alien: Romulus, which debuted with $42 million.
Key Cast and Production Details
- Jeff Bridges reprises his role as Kevin Flynn.
- Jared Leto plays Ares and also serves as a producer.
- Joachim Rønning, known for films like Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, directs the movie.
The production budget stands at $180 million, a $10 million increase from its predecessor, Tron: Legacy. Despite facing challenges in Asian markets due to a lack of nostalgia, predictions are optimistic for European and Latin American audiences.
International Release Strategy
Tron: Ares will roll out in international markets this weekend, except for China, where it will debut on October 17. Major territories include France and South Korea, with previews starting in various countries. Notably:
- Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Mexico will receive the film on Thursday.
- The UK, Japan, Spain, and India will follow on Friday.
Comparative Opening Analysis
For context, the previous Tron movie, Tron: Legacy, opened at $39.9 million in the same markets and ultimately grossed $172 million domestically and $400 million globally. This new installment looks to build upon that success despite increased production costs.
Public and Critical Reception
Advanced reviews of Tron: Ares have been mixed, with a current rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes. In comparison, the original 1982 Tron holds a 61% rating, while Tron: Legacy stands at 51%. Marketing efforts have included a European promotional tour and a Hollywood premiere featuring live performances by Nine Inch Nails.
As the film industry’s fall season gains momentum, all eyes will be on Tron: Ares to see if it meets its ambitious box office targets.
