The latest weekend box office results reveal an intriguing mix of outcomes, particularly highlighting Disney's latest release. Despite the high expectations, Disney's "Tron: Ares" is not illuminating the box office as brightly as anticipated during its opening day. This sci-fi sequel has garnered just $14.3 million on Friday, which includes earnings from preview screenings at approximately 4,000 theaters, following early access viewings that began on Wednesday. Initially, industry analysts had predicted the film would debut with over $45 million, a figure that now seems highly unlikely to be reached. For context, it is worth noting that this performance lags behind the previous film in the series, "Tron: Legacy," which achieved a $17.5 million opening day back in 2010, ultimately amassing $44 million in its first weekend.
Critics have responded to "Ares" with lukewarm reviews, although audience reactions are slightly more favorable, as indicated by a Cinema Score rating of B+. This modest reception comes alongside Disney's sizable investment of $180 million in this PG-13 rated sequel. Viewed as one of the few major franchise entries scheduled between the summer and Thanksgiving, the hope is that international audiences will help propel the film into profitability. The "Tron" franchise has historically found its niche; the original film was a modest hit, ranking only as the 22nd highest-grossing North American release in 1982, while "Legacy" achieved impressive worldwide earnings of $400 million against a $170 million budget.
In the spotlight of this sci-fi revival are newcomers Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, with returning star Jeff Bridges reprising his role as Kevin Flynn. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who has a strong track record with Disney on projects like the last "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie and the sequel to "Maleficent," the film's marketing has prominently featured an original score by Nine Inch Nails, following the accolades received by Daft Punk for their work on the previous entry.
On the other side of the market, Paramount's "Roofman" is also falling short of pre-release predictions. This comedic thriller, inspired by real events and headlined by Channing Tatum, managed to pull in $3.25 million on Friday, potentially leading to an expected opening weekend gross of around $8 million from a total of 3,362 theaters.
Developed and financed by Miramax with a modest budget of $19 million, "Roofman" has received positive critical feedback, achieving a B+ rating from Cinema Score, which the studio hopes will translate into effective word-of-mouth after its opening week. Directed by Derek Cianfrance, known for films like "Blue Valentine" and "The Place Beyond the Pines," this film offers a lighter tone, following Tatum as a charismatic thief who robs multiple McDonald's locations before evading capture and living in a Toys "R" Us store. The cast features a talented ensemble, including Kirsten Dunst, Peter Dinklage, LaKeith Stanfield, Ben Mendelsohn, and Uzo Aduba.
Also entering the competition this weekend is Sony's "Soul on Fire," released by Affirm Films across 1,720 locations. This drama marks a return to faith-based storytelling from director Sean McNamara, known for "Soul Surfer." With an opening Friday collection of $1.3 million, projections suggest the film might reach a total of $3 million for its debut weekend. Enthusiastic feedback from the target audience reflects in its Cinema Score rating of A.
Meanwhile, the theatrical release of "Kiss of the Spider Woman" has struggled considerably, raking in only $343,000 on Friday from a semi-wide release of 1,330 locations. It faces a tough battle to secure a place in the top 10. This adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Kander and Ebb musical was met with respect at its January Sundance Film Festival debut, but it gained distribution in March through Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. With a production budget exceeding $30 million, the financial prospects seem dire for this film following such a lackluster opening. Directed by Bill Condon and starring Jennifer Lopez, Gabriel Luna, and Tonatiuh, it seems unlikely to yield profits for its investors.
On its third Friday, Warner Bros.' "One Battle After Another," an anticipated awards contender directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, earned $2 million, reflecting a decline of 41% from its daily total the previous week. As this contemporary epic competes in the box office arena, it lost some of its premium large format showing opportunities to "Tron: Ares." Although it's managed to garner a total domestic gross of $49.8 million after 15 days, the path to recovering its substantial production costs appears increasingly precarious, leaving its potential Oscar performance as a glimmer of hope.
In fourth place, Universal's "Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie" brought in $920,000 on Friday and is anticipated to achieve a total of about $3.7 million during its third weekend. Given its $32 million production cost, the domestic total is expected to reach just $26.7 million by Sunday.
Also in the mix, "The Conjuring: Last Rites" secured an additional $900,000 on Friday, representing a reduction of just 27% from the previous week's performance. As this horror sequel continues its run, it has reached an impressive $170.4 million in domestic earnings.
Lastly, the performance of "The Smashing Machine" appears disappointing, having opened in third place last weekend with $5.9 million but dropping sharply to around $530,000 on Friday—marking a staggering 72% decline from one week prior. As the most expensive production by A24, with a $50 million budget, it seems to be fading quickly from theaters.
So, what do you think? Is the box office landscape shifting, or do you believe these films will find their audience in the coming weeks? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
