Katarzyna Petru
Tron: Ares has just arrived in home distribution – and in a version that… cinemas are unable to display. The latest installment of the series that began in 1982 has been designed for extremely high contrast and colour saturation, that is, for HDR, which classic cinema projectors simply do not offer.
The film is now available on VOD services such as Apple TV, Amazon, and Fandango (Vudu). The digital release occurred 53 days after its cinematic debut – shorter than Disney's standard of around 60 days. Importantly, Tron: Ares is not PVOD, but a standard VOD at the regular price.
Why does it look better at home than at the cinema?
The production featuring Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, and Gillian Anderson has received mixed reviews regarding its storyline, but its visual side – full of neon colours and high contrast – is one of its strongest points. This effect can’t be replicated on a classic cinema projector. HDR requires an LED screen or a… home television OLED or miniLED with a large number of zones.
Equally highly rated is the audio design, which is handled by Nine Inch Nails. At home, you can watch the film in Dolby Atmos, and for the upcoming UHD Blu-ray release – even in lossless TrueHD quality.
UHD Blu-ray Release
The 4K disc launch is scheduled for 6 January 2026. It will feature Atmos TrueHD, but the picture will be limited to HDR10 (without Dolby Vision).
Platform Comparison: Pricing & Specs
Platform | Price (USD) | Price (AUD) | Price (EUR) | Price (GBP) | Price (PLN) | Video | Audio | Extras |
Apple TV (buy/rent) | $30 / $25 | ~A$46 / A$38 | €12 | £20 | ~120 PLN | 4K Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos (DD+) | – |
Amazon (buy/rent) | $30 / $25 | ~A$46 / A$38 | €14 | £20 / £16 | ~120 / 95 PLN | 4K HDR10 | 5.1 | – |
Fandango / Vudu | $30 / $25 | ~A$46 / A$38 | – | – | ~120 PLN | 4K Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos (DD+) | – |
Rakuten | – | – | €12 | £20 / £16 | ~55 / 75 PLN | UHD HDR10 | 5.1 | – |
UHD Blu-ray | $50 | ~A$77 | ~€47 | ~£39 | ~200 PLN | 4K HDR10 | Dolby Atmos (TrueHD) | Yes |
