Box Office: ‘Tron: Ares’ Kicks Off With $4.8 Million in Thursday Previews

“Tron: Ares,” the latest entry in a five-decade old franchise that’s more of a cult favorite than a commercial juggernaut, debuted to a solid $4.8 million in Thursday previews.

The sci-fi sequel is expected to open to roughly $45 million from 4,000 North American theaters over the weekend, easily topping new releases such as Paramount’s R-rated dramedy “Roofman,” starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical with Jennifer Lopez as a fantasy film queen. “Roofman,” which scored with critics and earned $1 million in previews, is expected to open between $8 million to $12 million from 3,340 locations, while “Spider Woman” should gross $1.5 million to $3 million from 1,300 screens.

The opening of “Tron: Ares” is roughly in line with 2010’s “Tron: Legacy,” which kicked off with $44 million (not adjusted for inflation). Internationally, “Tron: Ares” is projected to earn $40 million to $45 million, which could put the global number between $85 million and $95 million by Sunday. The film will need to show some impressive staying power because those light suits and grid action didn’t come cheap. “Tron: Ares” cost $180 million to produce and tens of millions more to market. It stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters and was directed by Joachim Rønning, who oversaw one of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and the sequel to “Maleficent.“

Miramax developed and produced “Roofman,” which is based on the true story of a con man who escapes from prison and hides out in a toy store. The movie cost under $20 million to make. “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which is based on a Tony-winning Kander and Ebb show, was financed independently for more than $30 million. It was acquired by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate after debuting to respectful reviews in Sundance.