Disney’s latest sci-fi adventure, ‘Tron: Ares’, has made a significant splash at the box office, pulling in nearly $5 million during its Thursday preview screenings. This early success sets a promising stage for its opening weekend, with projections indicating a robust performance that could reach or even exceed $40 million.
The film’s impressive preview numbers suggest strong audience interest, a welcome sign for Hollywood as it navigates a mixed box office season. Despite overall trends showing a slight improvement over last year, some high-profile adult dramas have struggled to connect with audiences.
‘Tron: Ares,’ starring Jared Leto and directed by Joachim Rønning, has also garnered a positive reception from critics and audiences alike, boasting an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This score marks a notable improvement compared to its predecessor, ‘Tron: Legacy,’ which received a 64% rating.
However, the film faces stiff competition from major sporting events, including the MLB playoffs and NFL games, which are expected to draw away a significant portion of its target demographic. While ‘Tron: Ares’ has outperformed ‘Tron: Legacy’ in midnight previews, it trails slightly behind recent blockbusters like ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ and ‘Alien: Romulus’ in preview earnings.
In related news, Miramax and Paramount’s romantic caper ‘Roofman,’ starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, also had a modest start, earning $1 million in Thursday previews.