How to watch Tron: Ares – is it streaming?

There were a lot of very well reviewed films released in 2025, but it's safe to say that Tron: Ares wasn't quite one of them. Although our own 3-star review skewed ever-so-slightly positive, the film sits on just 53 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes – and didn't perform much better when it came to box office takings.

The film was just the third movie to be released in the series since it launched with the original movie in 1982 (there's also an animated TV show and numerous video games), and studio executives clearly hoped that the loyal fanbase developed by the first two entries would be enough to secure another hit.

Ahead of the release, director Joachim Rønning had explained in an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com that he was "a huge fan" of the previous films and admitted that he found it "so daunting going in and making the next chapter of that".

He added: "I think the previous films in many ways are masterpieces on so many levels and [that] put a lot of pressure on myself and everybody working on the film to try to take it to the next level or at least earn this next instalment."

The idea of a new film had been at various stages of development ever since 2010's Tron: Legacy, before the producers eventually landed on the way to tackle a new film – somewhat flipping the franchise on it's head in the process.

"The idea of exploring another part of the Tron mythology and universe in terms of the Dillinger grid, and then the assets coming into our world was sort of a breakthrough concept for us," explained producer Sean Bailey. "Now the digital world is going to come into our own."

He added: "The idea of seeing a light cycle speeding down downtown streets sort of got everybody pretty galvanised."

If you missed the film during its cinema run and aren't put off by the middling reception – or perhaps are a fan who felt that the reviews were overly harsh – you might be wondering when you can watch it at home. Read on for everything you need to know.

How to watch Tron: Ares – is it streaming?

Yes! As of 7th January 2026, Tron: Ares is now streaming on Disney Plus. That means it's possible for all subscribers to the platform to watch it at no extra cost.

The film was originally released for an exclusive theatrical window – including on IMAX screens – on Friday 10th October, but it failed to ignite the box office, going down as both a critical and commercial flop – with Deadline reporting that it could lose as much as $132 million.

According to an official release, the film will also be available in IMAX Enhanced on Disney Plus, which allows fans to watch in IMAX’s exclusive expanded aspect ratio.

Meanwhile, both previous instalments in the franchise – 1982's Tron and 2019's Tron: Legacy – are also available to view on the platform, as is 2012's animated series Tron: Uprising.

Tron: Ares cast – who stars with Jared Leto?

Jared Leto leads the cast of the film as the title character – an AI programme named Ares – and he's joined in the ensemble by a host of other well known faces including Past Lives star Greta Lee and Dahmer's Evan Peters.

Meanwhile, X-Files star Gillian Anderson returns to the sci-fi genre in a key role, while there's also space for a brief appearance from original star Jeff Bridges.

You can find the full cast list below:

• Jared Leto as Ares
• Greta Lee as Eve Kim
• Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger
• Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena
• Hasan Minhaj as Ajay Singh
• Arturo Castro as Seth Flores
• Gillian Anderson as Elisabeth Dillinger
• Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn
• Cameron Monaghan as Caius
• Sarah Desjardins as Erin
• Selene Yun as Tess Kim

Tron: Ares plot – what is it about?

In a twist on the usual formula, the new film doesn't only see humans going into AI world, but AI assets coming into the human world. You can find the official synopsis below:

"A highly sophisticated digital Program, Ares, is sent into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first face-to-face encounter with artificial intelligence. As Ares experiences his surroundings and has his first brush with humanity, his consciousness – and conscience – start to evolve.

"He finds an unexpected ally in the brilliant technologist, computer programmer and current ENCOM CEO Eve Kim, who is on her own journey to discover a critical code written by Kevin Flynn. Betraying orders and relentlessly pursued, the two fight not only for their survival but for a future where technology and humanity can intersect."

Tron: Ares trailer

You can get a good impression of the film – and a little teaser of the excellent Nine Inch Nails soundtrack – by watching the trailer below:

Tron: Ares is now streaming on Disney Plus.

Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.