Cruise's 'Digger' Fails to Break Even as 'Verity' Tops Box Office
Tom Cruise's satirical film 'Digger' suffered a massive box office failure, opening with approximately $8 million against a ballooned budget of $160-$180 million. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, underperformed significantly, with analysts estimating a global loss of $150-$200 million. In contrast, Amazon MGM's 'Verity,' starring Anne Hathaway, debuted at No. 1 with $32.6 million. While 'Digger' faced harsh domestic criticism, international reviews were mixed, and scientific experts questioned the plausibility of its central climate disaster plot.
Key points
- Tom Cruise's 'Digger' opened with $8 million domestically, far below the $12-$15 million projected by Warner Bros.
- The film's production budget ballooned from $125 million to between $160 and $180 million, ensuring a significant financial loss.
- 'Digger' received a C+ CinemaScore and a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics calling it 'dead and buried.'
- Amazon MGM's 'Verity' topped the weekend with $32.6 million, despite also receiving a C+ CinemaScore and a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- The failure of 'Digger' coincides with leadership changes at Warner Bros. ahead of its merger with Paramount Skydance.
Background
Tom Cruise's 'Digger' is a satirical black comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Cruise as a balding, pot-bellied oil tycoon who learns he caused a natural disaster. The film was designed to spark conversation and hold awards prospects, but it has polarized critics and audiences. The failure of 'Digger' marks the lowest opening for Cruise in nearly two decades and coincides with leadership changes at Warner Bros. ahead of its merger with Paramount Skydance.
How outlets are covering it
The Hollywood Reporter and Variety emphasize the financial failure of 'Digger' and the leadership changes at Warner Bros. The BBC focuses on the film's artistic ambition and its polarizing reception, noting that it is a 'love-it-or-hate-it' folly. AP News highlights the merger context and the financial loss for Warner Bros. All sources agree on the box office numbers and the critical reception of 'Digger' and 'Verity.'
Why it matters
The failure of 'Digger' marks a significant financial loss for Warner Bros. and a low point for Tom Cruise's career. It also highlights the challenges of releasing auteur-forward fare in a market dominated by action-heavy, IP-driven movies. The success of 'Verity' demonstrates the continued strength of female-driven movies at the box office.
What to watch
Tom Cruise will return to action-heavy, IP-driven movies with 'Days of Thunder 2' soon revving up production. Warner Bros. will finalize its merger with Paramount Skydance on October 6. The 2026 domestic box office is expected to hit $7.95 billion, marking a 19 percent increase over the same point in 2025.
- Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Buried at Box Office With $8M as ‘Verity’ Wins Weekend The Hollywood Reporter
- ‘Digger,’ Warner Bros.’ Last Release Before Merger, Is a Major Flop The New York Times
- On cusp of merger, ‘Digger bombs for Warner Bros., ‘Verity’ takes No. 1 at box office AP News
- Digger review: Tom Cruise takes the 'biggest risk of his career' in this 'love-it-or-hate-it' folly ★★★★☆ BBC
- Box Office: ‘Digger’ Nosediving With $3.4 Million on Opening Day, ‘Verity’ Lands at No. 1 With $15.1 Million on Friday Variety
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