Katarzyna Petru
Tron: Ares has just been released for home distribution – and in a version that… cinemas are unable to display. The latest installment of the series, which began in 1982, has been designed for extremely high contrast and colour saturation, i.e., HDR, something that traditional cinema projectors simply do not offer.
The film is already available to watch on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon, and Fandango (Vudu). The digital release occurred 53 days after its cinematic debut – shorter than the standard approximately 60 days for Disney. Importantly, Tron: Ares is not PVOD, but standard VOD at regular pricing.
Why does it look better at home than in the cinema?
The production featuring Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, and Gillian Anderson has received mixed reviews regarding its plot, but its visual aspect – full of neon colours and high contrast – is among its strongest points. This effect cannot be replicated on a traditional cinema projector. HDR requires an LED screen or… a home television OLED or miniLED with a large number of zones.
The audio design, crafted by Nine Inch Nails, has also been highly praised. At home, you can watch the film in Dolby Atmos, and with the upcoming UHD Blu-ray release – even in the lossless TrueHD version.
UHD Blu-ray Release
The release of the 4K disc is scheduled for 6 January 2026. It will feature Atmos TrueHD, but the image 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 |
