Disney+’s #1 Movie: A 10/10 Sci-Fi Masterpiece Streaming Now

The Rise of Disney+’s Tron: Ares and the Legacy of Tron: Legacy

Disney+ has recently seen a surge in popularity with its latest release, Tron: Ares, which has claimed the number one spot on the platform. This new sci-fi film serves as a reminder to revisit the 10/10 masterpiece that is still available for streaming. As the third installment in the Tron franchise, Tron: Ares continues the story of AI programs from the Grid finding their way into the real world. Among them is Ares (Jared Leto), a combat program that goes rogue.

The movie has become a massive success on Disney+, currently ranked number one worldwide and taking the top spot in 42 individual countries. However, critical reviews have been less favorable, with the sequel currently holding a 53% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, it remains popular among audiences and highlights the importance of revisiting earlier films in the series.

Tron: Ares Is a Reminder to Check Out Tron: Legacy

While Tron: Ares may be a modern take on the franchise, the 2010 film Tron: Legacy is an even better, still relatively recent installment. Set 20 years after the original protagonist of 1982’s Tron, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), disappears, his son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), begins investigating after receiving a message from him from the Grid.

Among all the Tron movies, the second installment offers the best balance between modern expectations and the classic elements that made the first movie a pop culture staple. This includes updated CGI, with a de-aged Bridges as the villainous Clu, and concepts that align with those of the first movie’s adventure.

Although Tron: Legacy also earned mixed reviews, holding a 51% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it was a financial success. The movie earned $409.9 million at the box office against a $120 million budget, which was slightly better than Tron: Ares‘ theatrical performance. It was also a direct sequel, something that cannot be said about the third installment.

Why Tron: Ares Was Not a Direct Sequel to Tron: Legacy

Tron: Ares decided to go in a different direction from the rest of the franchise, offering a relatively standalone story in contrast to its predecessors. The intent was to start a new story arc in the franchise that would be familiar to fans but also accessible for newcomers. However, Tron: Ares‘ ending did directly acknowledge its history, with a direct reference to Tron: Legacy‘s story.

Given the level of Disney+ success Tron: Ares is currently enjoying, it’s a reminder that there are still two other movies in the franchise equally worthy of success. In the case of Tron: Legacy, it tells a uniquely modern story that still fits into the franchise’s timeline while making more direct reference to the events of the first movie.

Key Differences Between Tron: Ares and Tron: Legacy

• Storyline: Tron: Ares is more of a standalone film, while Tron: Legacy is a direct sequel to the original Tron.
• Critical Reception: Both films received mixed reviews, but Tron: Legacy had a slightly better reception from critics.
• Box Office Performance: Tron: Legacy outperformed Tron: Ares at the box office, earning significantly more revenue.
• Franchise Timeline: Tron: Legacy maintains a clear connection to the original Tron story, while Tron: Ares takes a different approach.