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Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Bridges discussed Tron: Ares‘ poor box office performance. “It’s interesting, though, how movies are received at opening weekend,” he said. “I remember Heaven’s Gate was considered, you know, very disappointing or a flop, but nowadays it’s considered kind of a masterpiece … So it’s interesting how things can grow on you … Even as an individual, often, I have not liked a movie. And then a couple weeks or months later, I’ll see it again. I’ll say, ‘What was I thinking?’”
Can Tron: Ares Become a Cult Favorite on Home Media?
While Bridges was discussing the opening weekend of Tron: Ares, his comments could actually apply to the Tron franchise as a whole. The previous two installments followed a similar trajectory of struggling at the box office before gaining a wider following later on. Ares has followed suit in terms of box office reception, grossing only $33.2 million domestically in its debut. As of this writing, the film has earned just $63.7 million in the United States and $124.1 million worldwide, lagging behind fellow Jared Leto vehicle Morbius.
Disney is set to lose over $100 million on Tron: Ares, so there’s no chance it can turn things around at the box office. The bigger question will be whether or not it finds its audience after it hits home media platforms. In today’s landscape, it’s become commonplace for box office flops to surge to the top of the streaming charts. Disney has already seen films like Snow White and Captain America: Brave New World become massive hits on streaming, so it’s possible Tron: Ares can accomplish this as well. In the post-pandemic era, moviegoing habits have drastically changed, and with shorter theatrical windows, it’s easier for casual audiences to wait until a new release is available at home.
