Tron: Ares is here, taking us back to the Grid for the first time in 15 years. And, this time around, the Grid is coming to the real world, too. But before you hop on your Lightcyle and head to the multiplex, we're here to give you the lowdown on the new threequel.
The original Tron film, one of the best sci-fi movies ever, graced our screens over four decades ago, but Ares brings the franchise firmly into the 21st Century with the titular super-intelligent AI, played by Jared Leto, who's sent from the digital world into the real world.
Tron: Ares reviews
Tron: Ares debuted to mixed reviews and reactions, with critics praising the movie's sound design and visuals but criticizing its plot and action scenes.
Our own Tron: Ares review rates the film 2.5 stars out five, with our reviewer writing, "A serviceable blockbuster falls short of being truly fun by swapping the Grid for a real-world setting. Despite a good lead performance from Greta Lee and a great score, Ares lacks the charm and silliness of its Tron predecessors after one upgrade too many."
Tron: Ares release date
Tron: Ares was released worldwide on October 10, 2025.
The release date a long time coming, since the film has been in the works since 2010. In 2020, Garth Davis (who was set to direct the film) stepped down and was replaced by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales director Joachim Rønning. Then, another bump in the road came up in 2023, as filming was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Tron: Ares plot
We don't want to give away too much about the Tron: Ares plot here – for a spoiler-filled breakdown, head over to our Tron: Ares ending explained guide instead.
To give you the main details, though: the movie revolves around the extremely powerful AI Ares, who's turned into an IRL supersoldier by Dillinger Systems CEO Julian Dillinger in an attempt to sell him to the highest bidder. The problem is that anything brought into the real world from the Grid can only stay alive for 29 minutes maximum before they're subject to deresolution and sent back online. The key to Ares longevity lies in Kevin Flynn's permanence code, which Julian's rival Eve Kim, ENCOM's CEO, is also on the hunt for – although for more noble reasons.
When Julian sends Ares to find Eve and obtain the permanence code by any means necessary, things don't quite go to plan. Julian doesn't account for his AI getting a mind (and feelings) of his own...
Tron: Ares trailer
The first trailer for Tron Ares debuted online on April 5, 2025. Boasting bright red neon flashes on a dark metropolitan backdrop, the trailer sees a highly sophisticated program named Ares (Leto) sent into the real world. "I'm searching for something. Something I do not understand," says Leto's antagonist, questioning his place in a world beyond his own.
The rest of the clip is intercut with cop cars being sliced and diced by the franchise's signature vehicles, motorcycles whizzing down dark streets, and a rider red and bloody, presumably after a crash. The teaser also gave us new looks at stars Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges, who plays legendary programmer Kevin Flynn.
Tron: Ares cast
Tron: Ares has a pretty star-studded line-up. Here's the full cast list:
- Jared Leto as Ares
- Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger
- Greta Lee as Eve Kim
- Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn
- Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena
- Gillian Anderson as Elisabeth Dillinger
- Cameron Monaghan as Caius
- Sarah Desjardins as Erin
- Hasan Minhaj as Ajay Singh
- Arturo Castro as Seth Flores
Where can you watch the Tron movies?
You can watch both Tron and its sequel, Tron: Legacy, on Disney Plus.
Eventually, when Tron: Ares arrives on streaming, you'll be able to watch the latest movie on Disney Plus, too. This applies to both our US and UK readers, so the House of Mouse's streaming service is where you'll need to sign up.
For more information on buying a subscription, you can head over to our handy guide breaking down all the Disney Plus prices. But, as a brief overview, a month's standard subscription will cost you £8.99/$9.99.
For more Disney magic, check out our list of the best shows on Disney Plus. Or you can dive into more virtual worlds with our guide on all the upcoming video game movies heading our way.
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