Cruise's 'Digger' Bombs: $8M Opening Disappoints

Tom Cruise's latest venture, the satirical black comedy Digger, has experienced a disappointing opening weekend, grossing a mere $8 million from 3,300 North American theaters. This performance is a significant setback for Warner Bros., especially considering the film's substantial production budget, which is reported to be between $125 million and $180 million. Projections heading into the weekend were only between $12 million and $15 million, making this outcome even more alarming.

Adding to the film's challenges, Digger received a C+ CinemaScore from audiences, one of the lowest grades in Tom Cruise's career. Critics have also been divided, with its Rotten Tomatoes score standing at 51 percent. This critical and audience reception complicates any potential awards prospects. Weeks prior, some tracking services had predicted an opening closer to $30 million, but interest apparently waned significantly before the release.

Digger is expected to result in a considerable financial loss for Warner Bros. This release marks an inauspicious final film before the anticipated completion of Paramount Skydance's $111 billion merger with the studio on October 6, 2026. Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios' Verity achieved the top spot with $32.6 million, despite also receiving a C+ CinemaScore and a 34 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. Globally, Disney's Avengers: Endgame reclaimed the top spot due to its Encore rerelease.