Katarzyna Petru
Tron: Ares has just hit home distribution – and in a version that… cinemas cannot screen. The latest installment of the series that began in 1982 has been designed for extremely high contrast and color saturation, meaning for HDR, which classic cinema projectors simply do not offer.
The film is already available to watch on VOD services such as Apple TV, Amazon, and Fandango (Vudu). The digital premiere took place 53 days after the theatrical debut – shorter than Disney's standard of about 60 days. Importantly, Tron: Ares is not PVOD, but standard VOD at regular price.
Why does it look better at home than in the cinema?
Production featuring Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges, and Gillian Anderson has received mixed reviews for its plot, but its visual aspect – full of neon colors and high contrast – is one of its strongest points. This effect cannot 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.
The audio design, credited to Nine Inch Nails, was also highly praised. At home, you can watch the movie in Dolby Atmos, and in the case of the upcoming UHD Blu-ray release – even in the lossless TrueHD version.
UHD Blu-ray Release
The premiere of the 4K disc is scheduled for January 6, 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 |
