Tron: Ares Stumbles with a $60.5 Million Global Launch; ‘Demon Slayer – Infinity Castle’ Soars to No. 5 Worldwide for 2025
In a surprising turn of events, Disney's latest installment, Tron: Ares, has kicked off its cinematic journey with a global debut of just $60.5 million, which falls short of industry expectations (for a deeper dive into these projections, check out the analysis here: Deadline). This figure is comprised of about $27 million in revenue from international markets, indicating a lukewarm reception overall.
Despite the less-than-stellar box office performance, the film, directed by Joachim Rønning and featuring Jared Leto, received mixed reviews. Interestingly, in some regions like France, audience and critical scores surpassed those of the previous franchise entry, 2010’s Tron: Legacy, which highlights that while the film didn’t captivate all audiences, it did resonate in specific locations.
On a brighter note, there were several standout successes: Latin America showed strong enthusiasm, with the film clinching the No. 1 spot across various countries, including Brazil and Mexico, both of which exceeded the opening weekends of Tron: Legacy and Alien: Romulus. Other notable victories were seen in Spain, the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong, although local films continue to dominate box offices in markets like Germany and Korea.
In terms of screenings, the film enjoyed solid attendance, particularly in premium large format, and is set to continue showing in IMAX theaters for an additional two weeks, facing little competition during this period.
And this is the part most people miss... The film is slated for release in China on October 17, which could potentially boost its overall figures. Meanwhile, the top international earners for the weekend included Mexico ($2.9 million), the UK ($2.4 million), France ($1.9 million), Australia ($1.5 million), and Germany ($1.4 million).
Turning our attention to One Battle After Another, from Warner Bros, this film is demonstrating remarkable staying power at the box office, only experiencing a modest 32% drop in revenue while earning $15 million across 77 markets. Noteworthy gains were observed in Argentina (up 20%), Korea (up 6%), and only minor declines in various European countries, showcasing its solid performance. As of now, its international total stands at $83.5 million, contributing to an impressive global gross of $138 million, with its China release also anticipated on October 17.
In another exciting development, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie has launched in 11 additional markets, generating an impressive $7.2 million and bringing its international total to $19.5 million, with a global gross reaching $46 million.
New Line/Warner Bros’ horror flick The Conjuring: Last Rites has crossed a significant milestone, surpassing $300 million in international earnings this weekend after collecting $5.8 million from 75 overseas markets; its total worldwide gross now stands at $473 million. Japan will be the final territory to receive the film, with its release scheduled for October 17.
Finally, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle has made waves by becoming the fifth highest-grossing film worldwide this year, amassing a staggering $648 million. In the North American market alone, it has reached $128.6 million, surpassing the earnings of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to become the highest-grossing international film in the U.S. to date. This past weekend, Crunchyroll/Sony reported an additional $3.5 million from 62 markets, pushing its international total to $336 million.
As this box office race continues, it's a perfect moment to reflect on the nature of audience preferences and the evolving landscape of film. What do you think about Tron: Ares' reception? Do you believe it will pick up momentum once released in China, or do you think its opening signals deeper issues with the franchise? Share your thoughts below!
