Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Flops at Box Office with Million as ‘Verity’ Takes Top Weekend Spot

In a disappointing turn for Tom Cruise and Warner Bros., the highly anticipated film “Digger,” directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, opened to a dismal million across 3,300 theaters in North America. The film’s production budget, reported to be between 5 million and 0 million, has made this outcome particularly unpalatable for the studio. Originally, Warner Bros. projected a modest opening of to million, which now seems overly optimistic.

“Digger,” which attempts to be a bold satirical black comedy, struggles to find its footing amid mixed audience reception and critical reviews. The film received a C+ CinemaScore from viewers, representing one of the lowest ratings in Cruise’s extensive career. Critics have been similarly skeptical; the film boasts only a 51 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with some reviews describing it as “dead and buried.”

In the lead role, Cruise portrays a balding, pot-bellied oil tycoon whose wrongdoing leads to a natural disaster—an endeavor that sought to provoke much-needed discourse but may now struggle to achieve significant awards recognition. Interest in “Digger” dwindled leading up to its release, and initial tracking figures suggested it could garner revenue closer to million. Consequently, its underwhelming performance will likely solidify it as a financial disappointment, particularly as Warner Bros. prepares for a merger with Paramount Skydance.

In more favorable news, Amazon MGM Studios enjoyed success with “Verity,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, which debuted at the top of the charts with a solid .6 million. This film attracted a predominantly female audience, indicative of a growing trend favoring female-driven narratives in cinema.

Despite the setback with “Digger,” the overall box office performance remains robust, anticipated to reach approximately 0 million domestically this weekend. Comparing figures to the previous year, the current weekend is projected to see a 16 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2025.

As Tom Cruise prepares to return to his more familiar action-heavy roles, following “Digger,” this weekend’s mixed box office results reflect the complexities of an evolving film industry grappling with audience expectations and fluctuating tastes.

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