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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Tron

Tron is a 1982 American science fiction action film written and directed by Steven Lisberger.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tron is a 1982 American science fiction action film written and directed by Steven Lisberger. It follows computer programmer Kevin Flynn, who is digitized into a computer world and must survive gladiatorial games with the help of the security program Tron. The film is notable for its early and extensive use of computer-generated imagery and became a cult classic.

Plot

Kevin Flynn investigates the theft of his work and is digitized into a computer system. There, he teams up with Tron and other programs while fighting the Master Control Program and its forces.

Production

Steven Lisberger directed the film and co-wrote it with Bonnie MacBird. The film became known for combining live action with pioneering computer-generated imagery.

Cast

Jeff Bridges plays Kevin Flynn, while Bruce Boxleitner plays Tron and Alan Bradley. David Warner, Cindy Morgan, and Barnard Hughes also appear in key roles.

Legacy

Tron became a cult favourite and helped establish the visual language of digital worlds in mainstream cinema. It later spawned sequels and broader franchise material.

Key facts

  • The film centres on Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer and video game developer who is pulled into a computer system called the Grid.
  • Inside the digital world, Flynn is forced to take part in combat and racing contests while trying to escape.
  • Tron was written and directed by Steven Lisberger.
  • It was an early landmark in the use of computer-generated imagery in feature films.
  • The film later led to a larger Tron franchise, including Tron: Legacy.
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Canadian context

Tron has been widely seen in Canada as an influential science fiction film and is part of the broader North American sci-fi canon familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tron about?
It is about computer programmer Kevin Flynn, who is digitized into a computer world and must survive gladiatorial games while trying to escape with help from the security program Tron.
Who directed Tron?
Tron was directed by Steven Lisberger.
Is there a Tron 3?
Yes. The franchise has continued beyond Tron and Tron: Legacy; sources in the provided results note a third film, Tron: Ares, associated with the series.
When was Tron released?
Tron was released on July 9, 1982.
Who stars in Tron?
The film stars Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan, and Barnard Hughes.
What is the Tron Legacy soundtrack?
The soundtrack for Tron: Legacy is the film score album for the 2010 sequel Tron: Legacy, which is part of the Tron franchise.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron
    Supports: Director, release year, cast, basic premise, and CGI significance.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tron
    Supports: Plot summary, release date, and cast overview.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084827/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot synopsis.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084827/
    Supports: Release year and general film metadata.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise context and the film's relationship to sequels.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron:_Legacy
    Supports: Tron: Legacy as the sequel and franchise continuation.