Disney's $409M Sci-Fi Movie Is Trending At The Perfect Time Ahead Of Sequel Release

Disney’s $409 million sci-fi movie, Tron: Legacy, is trending at the perfect time. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, 2010’s Tron: Legacy was Disney’s ambitious sequel to the 1982 cult classic Tron. The story follows Kevin Flynn’s (Jeff Bridges) adult son Sam (Garrett Hedlund), who gets pulled into the Grid, where he, his father, and the algorithm must battle a rogue program.

Despite mixed reviews, Tron: Legacy developed a loyal fan base, and a sequel тιтled Tron: Ares is set to be released on October 10. Directed by Joachim Rønning (Pirates of the Caribbean: ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales) and starring Jared Leto, the sequel will follow Ares, an AI being sent on a dangerous mission in the real world.

Now, according to the latest streaming data from Disney+, Tron: Legacy is one of the top 5 most-watched тιтles on the platform. Tron: Legacy currently sits at number 4 on Disney+’s list of Top 10 in the U.S. today, falling below more recent movies such as Elio, Thunderbolts*, and Hocus Pocus 2, yet above 2002’s Ice Age.

What This Means For Tron: Legacy

A close-up of Kevin Flynn in Tron: Legacy

The streaming resurgence of Tron: Legacy comes less than a month before the release of Tron: Ares, signaling that viewers are diving back into the Grid to prepare for the franchise’s long-awaited return. With Tron: Ares serving as a continuation rather than a reboot, it makes sense that fans are revisiting Legacy now to refresh themselves on the digital universe.

This renewed interest in Legacy bodes well for the upcoming Ares, which may benefit from the “refresher effect” as fans revisit or catch up on the previous film. If interest continues to build, it could translate into a much stronger box office performance for Tron: Ares, especially if cross-promotion continues via Disney+, merchandise, and other marketing stunts.

Our Take On Tron: Legacy’s Streaming Success

Jared Leto in Tron Ares in a futuristic suit with his face showing

While Tron: Legacy may not have been a mᴀssive hit with critics in 2010, time has been kind to it. The film’s visual style remains striking, Daft Punk’s score is a cultural touchstone, and the digital-world themes feel more relevant than ever in the era of AI, virtual reality, and metaverse debates. Therefore, I couldn’t think of a better time for a sequel.

Tron: Legacy‘s current rise on Disney+’s streaming charts more than a decade later is a testament to its growing legacy, and a promising sign for Tron: Ares. If Disney plays its cards right, the Tron franchise may finally become the multimedia powerhouse it had the potential to be, especially in our current age of AI.