Box Office: 'Verity' Tops Weekend as 'Digger' Flops
Amazon MGM's 'Verity' claimed the No. 1 spot with $15.1 million on Friday, while Warner Bros.' 'Digger' underperformed with $3.4 million. 'Digger' is projected to gross $7.5 million for the weekend against a ballooned budget of $160-$180 million, marking Tom Cruise's lowest opening in nearly two decades.
Key points
- 'Verity' earned $15.1 million on Friday from 3,510 theaters, with a weekend projection of $33.6 million.
- 'Digger' earned $3.4 million on Friday from 3,321 theaters, with a weekend projection of $7.5 million.
- 'Digger' production costs ballooned from $125 million to $160-$180 million, risking significant theatrical losses.
- Both 'Verity' and 'Digger' received a C+ CinemaScore, but 'Digger' holds a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score versus 'Verity's 34%.
- Sony's 'Resident Evil' held No. 2 with $3.62 million on Friday, reaching a domestic total of $124.395 million.
- Paramount's 'The Heart of the Beast' and A24's 'Primetime' followed in third and fifth places, respectively.
Background
Previews indicated 'Verity' would dominate with $4.5 million, while 'Digger' lagged at $1.2 million. Earlier projections estimated 'Digger' at $12-$15 million, but actual results fell short. 'Digger' is the final release for Warner Bros. before its merger with Paramount Skydance finalizes on October 6, following the exit of film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
How outlets are covering it
Variety and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize 'Digger's' financial disaster and Cruise's lowest opening since 2007's 'Lions for Lambs.' THR notes a C+ CinemaScore and 51% Rotten Tomatoes score, while Variety highlights negative reviews and divided word of mouth. KSL.com offers a positive review, praising Cruise's performance and the film's satirical depth, calling it polarizing but memorable. The Atlantic describes 'Digger' as a 'fascinating change of pace' for Cruise, noting its meta-theatrical structure, but acknowledges its box office struggles. All outlets agree 'Verity' led the weekend, though THR and Variety note its low 34% Rotten Tomatoes score and C+ CinemaScore.
Why it matters
'Digger's' failure highlights the risks of high-budget, polarizing films in a shifting studio landscape, particularly as Warner Bros. transitions under Paramount Skydance. 'Verity's' success underscores the continued viability of Colleen Hoover adaptations, despite mixed critical reception. The weekend's results reflect audience preferences for accessible thrillers over experimental satires, with 'Resident Evil' and 'Primetime' showing strong legs in their second and third frames, respectively.
What to watch
Next weekend's notable releases include Jessica Chastain's 'Other Mommy' and Aaron Sorkin's 'The Social Reckoning.' 'Digger' may benefit from awards buzz, but its theatrical run is likely to continue declining. 'Verity' is expected to hold its No. 1 position, while 'Resident Evil' and 'Primetime' will compete for lower rankings. Warner Bros. will face scrutiny over its 2026 slate, including 'The Bride!' and 'Supergirl,' as it transitions to Paramount Skydance leadership.
- Box Office: ‘Digger’ Nosediving With $3.4 Million on Opening Day, ‘Verity’ Lands at No. 1 With $15.1 Million on Friday Variety
- Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Plunging at Box Office With Less Than $10M as ‘Verity’ Leads The Hollywood Reporter
- ‘Digger’ Review: Even Tom Cruise Can’t Save This Strained Satire The New York Times
- Review: 'Digger' is an odd film that you're either going to love or hate KSL.com
- Tom Cruise’s Return to Serious Cinema Isn’t What It Looks Like The Atlantic
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