Summary

  • Tron 3, titled Tron: Ares, is finally set to release on October 10, 2025, after a lengthy development process.
  • Jared Leto stars as the lead character Ares in the sequel to 2010's Legacy.
  • Directed by Joachim Rønning, this sci-fi action adventure film continues the legacy of the Tron franchise by Disney, while also offering a twist on its formula.

After a lengthy development cycle, the ensemble Tron: Ares cast also includes Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan and Gillian Anderson.

Just a few months after production began on the sci-fi threequel, The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Tron: Ares is officially releasing on October 10, 2025. The movie's release date will put it in theaters just shy of 15 years of when its predecessor, Legacy, was released, itself having taken over 28 years to be developed and made. The release date confirmation also comes just over a month after the first image was revealed of Leto's titular character, with the promise of a 2025 release window.

Tron: Ares' Anniversary Release Could Be Perfect

This custom image shows Ares from TRON: ARES from the back with a glow around him.
Custom Image by Dani Kessel Odom

A late 2025 release date already seemed likely for Tron: Ares considering the movie only just began filming in January 2024. Even with the story's setting seeming to primarily be in the real world, there's likely to be a lengthy post-production process for the visual effects associated with the sci-fi franchise, with an early 2025 release having necessitated a crunch that leads to lesser quality assurance, backlash from employees, as already seen with animators at Marvel, and skepticism from audiences.

Related
Is TRON: Ares A Sequel To TRON Legacy?

A first look at Jared Leto's character in TRON: Ares has just been released, with many still wondering if the film is a sequel to TRON: Legacy.

While the 15-year wait between movies could often be a hindrance for franchises, Tron: Ares releasing just in time for Legacy's anniversary could prove a promising plan for Disney. Even if the threequel is only loosely connected to its predecessors, Disney could hold special marathons in theaters in the lead-up to Ares' debut by re-releasing the first two movies. Considering Tron: Legacy in particular has built a devoted fanbase in the years since, it would be an effective way to entice them for the new movie.

Another big reason why Tron: Ares' October 2025 release date is looking perfect for the threequel is the current lack of major competition in the month. At the time of writing, the only movies set for release in October 2025 are Maggie Gyllenhaal's Bride of Frankenstein twist, The Bride!, and a new Avatar: The Last Airbender animated movie, which is releasing the same weekend as Ares. However, with no other competition for the rest of the month, and early November only bringing the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Blade reboot, Tron: Ares could land in a sweet spot to become a hit for Disney.

Source: THR

Tron: Ares official poster
Tron: Ares
Release Date
October 10, 2025
Director
Joachim Rønning
Writers
Jack Thorne, Jesse Wigutow
Prequel(s)
TRON: Legacy
Franchise(s)
Tron

Tron: Ares is the third film in the Tron franchise and is a direct follow-up to Tron and Tron: Legacy. The movie revolves around Ares, an advanced digital Program sent into the real world to complete a perilous task, marking humanity's first encounter with artificial beings outside of digital space.

Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney