Despite the return of a prominent actor to serious roles, the film “Digger,” directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and featuring Tom Cruise, is facing significant challenges at the box office. The dark comedy’s budget increased from $125 million US to $160-180 million US, with a break-even point estimated at around $350 million US, including marketing expenses. However, Warner Bros. disputes this figure, claiming their break-even point is closer to $300 million US.
The movie only managed to earn $1.2 million US in previews, and Warner anticipates a domestic weekend revenue of $12-15 million US, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. This underwhelming performance adds to Warner Bros.’ lineup of disappointing releases this year, following other films like “The Bride!,” “Supergirl,” “The End of Oak Street,” and “Practical Magic 2.”
“Digger,” a peculiar tale about an oil magnate trying to resolve a catastrophe spawned by his drilling activities, took a risky approach by bypassing the festival circuit. Instead, the R-rated black comedy relied on positive word of mouth and the star power of Tom Cruise to draw audiences to theaters.
While acclaimed director Iñárritu, known for his Oscar-winning films “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” helmed “Digger,” early critical reviews have been largely unfavorable. Some critics have labeled it as the worst film in Tom Cruise’s career, a metafictional maze, and a burdensome production. Despite a few positive reviews, it is widely believed that “Digger” might struggle to recover its substantial budget due to its experimental and unconventional nature.
With Warner Bros.’ 2026 slate lacking major hits compared to the previous year, the failure of “Digger” could further challenge the studio’s performance. The film’s potential failure could align it with other box office disappointments of the year, like “Melania” and “Desert Warrior.”
Although “Digger” may not fare well theatrically, there is speculation about potential awards recognition for Tom Cruise and the film’s streaming prospects. However, the film’s poor reception arrives just before Warner Bros.’ acquisition by Paramount and coincides with changes in the studio’s leadership.
The artistic risks taken by “Digger” and its subsequent commercial struggles could have implications for the future creative decisions of the newly formed conglomerate.