The once-promising sci-fi gamble that struggled to find its footing in theaters is now preparing for a streaming encore, even as its theme park footprint quietly winds down.
After years in development, Disney finally brought audiences back to the digital frontier with TRON: Ares (2025), the third theatrical chapter in the studio’s long-running science-fiction property. The film, directed by Joachim Rønning of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), repositions the franchise by pushing its virtual concepts into the real world, asking what happens when the Grid no longer stays contained behind a screen.
Taking place long after the events of Tron: Legacy (2010), the story follows a dramatic escalation in the TRON mythos. For the first time, a Program created within ENCOM’s systems crosses over into human society, setting the stage for direct interaction between people and sentient artificial intelligence born entirely in the digital realm.
That Program is Ares, portrayed by Jared Leto. Unlike earlier TRON figures driven by rebellion or curiosity, Ares is engineered for precision and infiltration. His mission places him on a collision course with Eve Kim, played by Greta Lee, the newly installed CEO of ENCOM. Eve’s corporate vision and hunger for technological influence raise uncomfortable questions about power, control, and how far innovation should be allowed to go.
The ensemble surrounding Leto and Lee broadens the film’s scope. Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, and Gillian Anderson appear in pivotal roles that flesh out the political maneuvering and philosophical tension underpinning the plot. Jeff Bridges also returns, tying Ares back to the franchise’s origins through the enduring legacy of Kevin Flynn.
Aesthetic choices play a major role in defining TRON: Ares. The film opts for a heavier, more mechanical look than previous entries, paired with a driving score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails. While reviewers admired the visual ambition and sonic identity, reactions to the storytelling were split.
Critics cited uneven pacing and character development, while audiences tended to respond more favorably to the immersive atmosphere and expansion of the TRON universe, even if some felt the emotional resonance didn’t quite match Tron: Legacy.
Financially, the film faced steeper challenges. Carrying a reported production cost between $180 and $220 million, TRON: Ares opened softly in North America and ultimately brought in roughly $142 million worldwide. Although it briefly claimed the top spot during its debut weekend, ticket sales fell quickly, suggesting limited momentum beyond the initial release.
When global marketing expenses are taken into account, industry analysts widely expect the project to register a sizable loss for Disney, casting uncertainty over whether the franchise can sustain another large-scale theatrical outing.
Still, Disney appears committed to keeping TRON visible through other avenues. The studio has announced that TRON: Ares will begin streaming on Disney+ on January 7, offering the film a chance to reach viewers who passed on its theatrical run. Once available, it will join Tron (1982), Tron: Legacy, and the animated Tron: Uprising, giving subscribers access to the full saga in one library.
The movie’s release also intersected with Disney’s theme park strategy. As part of a cross-promotional push, Walt Disney World Resort’s TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction at Magic Kingdom received a temporary overlay tied to the film. According to reports from cast members, that overlay is scheduled to conclude in January 2026, marking the end of the movie’s presence in the parks.
How do you feel about the future of the TRON franchise? Let us know in the comments down below!
I am glad for a movie like that on 4k disc on Jan 6 th