A major sci-fi franchise is facing a harsh reality check: Disney's 'Tron: Ares' isn't exactly electrifying the box office as predicted. While it's poised to take the top spot, the numbers are significantly lower than anticipated, leaving many wondering if this revival will truly resonate with audiences. But here's where it gets controversial... is it the film itself, changing audience tastes, or just a case of overhyped expectations? Let's dive into the opening weekend numbers.
The latest installment in the 'Tron' saga pulled in $14.3 million across Friday and preview screenings (including those early access showings on Wednesday) from 4,000 theaters. This figure falls short of the pre-weekend projections, which had estimated a debut well over $45 million. Ouch! To put it in perspective, even 'Tron: Legacy,' released back in 2010, had a stronger opening day with $17.5 million, eventually leading to a $44 million opening weekend. Early reviews for 'Ares' have been lukewarm, though audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a slightly more positive 'B+' grade.
This slow start is definitely a concern for Disney, who invested a considerable $180 million into this PG-13 franchise comeback. 'Tron: Ares' was strategically positioned as one of the few big-budget IP releases between the summer blockbuster season and the Thanksgiving holiday rush, heavily relying on international markets to recoup its costs. The 'Tron' franchise has always occupied a unique space, straddling the line between a retro cult classic and a mainstream commercial success. The original 'Tron' film in 1982 was only the 22nd highest-grossing North American release of that year. 'Tron: Legacy,' however, managed to earn over $400 million worldwide against a $170 million budget. Will 'Ares' follow suit, or will it be a costly misfire?
The film features a cast of franchise newcomers including Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, alongside the return of original star Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn. Joachim Rønning, known for his work on Disney projects like the final 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, a 'Maleficent' sequel, and the recent Daisy Ridley drama 'Young Woman and the Sea,' directed 'Tron: Ares.' Disney's marketing campaign also prominently featured the original score by Nine Inch Nails, aiming to recapture some of the buzz generated by Daft Punk's iconic soundtrack for 'Tron: Legacy.'
Meanwhile, Paramount's 'Roofman,' starring Channing Tatum, is also underperforming initial expectations. The comedic thriller, inspired by real-life events, earned $3.25 million across Friday and previews from 3,362 locations. The film was hoping to reach its pre-weekend forecast of at least $8 million for its opening. And this is the part most people miss... While not a massive blockbuster contender, 'Roofman' operates on a much smaller budget, making its success less dependent on a huge opening weekend.
Miramax developed, produced, and financed 'Roofman,' rated R, with a relatively modest $19 million budget. Paramount provided significant promotional support, including a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The film has received positive reviews from critics, and CinemaScore also gave it a 'B+' grade. The studio is hoping that positive word-of-mouth will help sustain its performance in the coming weeks.
Director Derek Cianfrance, known for his emotionally intense dramas like 'Blue Valentine' and 'The Place Beyond the Pines,' took a lighter approach with 'Roofman.' The film stars Tatum as a charming criminal who robbed numerous McDonald's restaurants before escaping prison and famously living in a Toys "R" Us store. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, LaKeith Stanfield, Ben Mendelsohn, and Uzo Aduba.
In other box office news, Sony is releasing Affirm Films' 'Soul on Fire' in 1,720 locations. This faith-based drama, directed by Sean McNamara (known for 'Soul Surfer'), is aiming for a fifth-place debut after earning $1.3 million across Friday and previews. Projections estimate a $3 million opening weekend. Interestingly, its target audience seems to love it, giving it an 'A' grade on CinemaScore.
However, 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' is struggling to make an impact, earning only $343,000 across Friday and previews in a semi-wide release of 1,330 locations. It's unlikely to crack the top 10. The R-rated adaptation of the Tony-winning Kander and Ebb musical premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January to respectful reviews but was only acquired in March by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. The film was independently financed for over $30 million, and with this kind of opening, it's unlikely to be profitable for its backers. The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Gabriel Luna, and Tonatiuh, and is directed by Bill Condon.
Warner Bros.' awards season contender, 'One Battle After Another,' earned $2 million on its third Friday, showing a 41% drop from the previous week. The epic, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, lost its premium large format screens to 'Tron: Ares.' While it's holding relatively well, with a domestic total of $49.8 million after 15 days, the path to profitability is becoming increasingly narrow for this expensive R-rated original film. Maybe it can still win at the Oscars.
Universal's 'Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie' is holding steady in fourth place with $920,000 on Friday and projected for a $3.7 million third weekend, down just 30% from last week. Its domestic total is expected to reach $26.7 million through Sunday on a $32 million DreamWorks Animation production.
'The Conjuring: Last Rites' continues to perform well, earning another $900,000 on Friday, down just 27% from last week. Over a month into its run, Warner Bros. and New Line's horror sequel has now grossed $170.4 million domestically.
Notably, 'The Smashing Machine' is experiencing a significant drop, failing to maintain momentum after a disappointing $5.9 million opening weekend. The Dwayne Johnson drama, directed by Benny Safdie and initially positioned as an awards contender, earned approximately $530,000 on Friday, representing a sharp 72% decline from the previous week. As A24's most expensive production to date, with a $50 million budget, it's quickly fading from theaters. This highlights the risk of investing heavily in films that don't immediately connect with audiences.
So, with 'Tron: Ares' underperforming, 'Roofman' hoping for word-of-mouth success, and several other films vying for attention, what do you think is contributing to these box office results? Are audiences becoming more selective about what they see in theaters? Is the appeal of established franchises waning? Or are there simply too many films competing for the same audience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
