Despite the anticipation surrounding the return of a prominent actor to serious roles, the film “Digger,” helmed by two-time Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and featuring Tom Cruise, appears destined to become one of the year’s most significant box-office failures.
Reports indicate that the dark comedy’s production costs surged from an initial budget of $125 million to an estimated $160-180 million, signifying a break-even point of approximately $350 million, factoring in marketing expenses. Warner Bros., however, has contested this figure, stating that their break-even threshold is closer to $300 million.
The movie only garnered $1.2 million during previews and is projected by Warner to earn a mere $12-15 million domestically in its opening weekend, reflecting a disappointing start for the studio amidst a year plagued by underperforming releases. Following a series of unsuccessful films like “The Bride!,” “Supergirl,” “The End of Oak Street,” and “Practical Magic 2,” Warner Bros. could be facing one of its most substantial flops in recent memory.
“Digger,” a peculiar narrative revolving around an oil magnate tasked with rectifying a catastrophe triggered by his drilling activities, inherently carried risks. The R-rated dark comedy bypassed traditional film festivals, banking instead on positive word-of-mouth and the star power of Tom Cruise to draw audiences to theaters.
The decision to sidestep early critical reviews and appeal directly to Cruise enthusiasts seemed logical, marking the actor’s first non-franchise project since the 2017 biopic “American Made.”
Directed by Iñárritu, known for his acclaimed films “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” “Digger” faced a wave of negative critiques upon its initial screenings, jeopardizing its prospects. Critics have labeled it as “the worst film in Tom Cruise’s career,” “a metafictional maze,” and “a cumbersome cinematic failure.” In response to the unfavorable feedback, the film’s producers released an advertisement featuring Cruise’s character berating critics.
Even favorable reviews acknowledged that “Digger” might be too unconventional and idiosyncratic to recoup its substantial budget, leaving Warner Bros. in a precarious position following a lackluster 2026 slate after the successes of films like “Sinners,” “Weapons,” and “One Battle After Another.”
With estimates suggesting that “Digger” could join other major 2026 failures like “Melania” and “Desert Warrior,” which grossed significantly below their production costs, the film’s commercial setback poses challenges for the studio.
Despite its anticipated poor performance, there remains speculation on Cruise’s potential Oscar success and the film’s appeal in the streaming market, leveraging the actor’s established fan base.
As Warner Bros. prepares for its acquisition by Paramount, “Digger’s” disappointing reception coincides with executive changes within the company, hinting at potential shifts in artistic direction for the conglomerate.