Ares’ Real Budget Reveals Disney’s Huge Loss on Sci-Fi Movie

Disney‘s Tron woes have worsened significantly following Ares’ second week in theaters.

Despite heavy promotion from Disney, Tron: Ares failed to light up the box office during its opening weekend, coming in under expectations with a three-day haul of $33.5 million domestically. In its second weeked, Ares plummeted 67%, earning a mere $11.1 million. The sci-fi sequel’s box office currently stands at $103 million, and it’s not expected to get much higher.

How much is Disney set to lose from Tron: Ares?

According to Deadline, Tron: Ares’ final gross is expected to be around $160 million, meaning that the movie will not turn a profit for Disney. The third installment in the Tron franchise will reportedly net the studio an estimated $132.7 million loss, which was calculated by Deadline after learning that the true budget for the sci-fi sequel was closer to $220 million than the previously reported $170-180 million range.

Deadline also took into account the $72.2 million in worldwide theatrical rentals, $37.6M in global home entertainment, $100M in global home television, and $5 million from airlines that
Tron: Ares is expected to earn for Disney in the long run, as well as the $102.5 million the studio spent on prints and advertising, the $14.2 million in residuals, and $10.8 million in other costs. Ares’ $214.8 million in revenues against total costs of $347.5 million leaves Disney with a loss of $132.7 million.

Tron: Ares bombing at the box office likely means that Disney is finished with the franchise on the big screen, at least for another decade. Tron remains a tricky IP for Disney. While the movies have never been outright box office hits, the Tron ride based on the movies have some of the biggest lines at Disney’s theme parks in Shangai and Orlando. However, it’s unlikely that the theme park ride’s success alone will be enough to entice Disney to give Tron a fourth crack at box office glory, even if Ares’ post-credits scene teased a sequel that would united Jared Leto with Legacy co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde.

Tron: Ares is playing in theaters.