Despite the return of a prominent actor to serious roles, a two-time Academy Award-winning director, and extensive publicity comparable to the moon landing, the film “Digger” appears destined to be one of the most significant box office failures this year.
Reported by Variety, the dark comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise experienced a budget increase from the original $125 million US to a range of $160-180 million US, with a break-even point estimated at around $350 million US including marketing costs (although Warner Bros. disputes this figure, stating their break-even point is closer to $300 million US).
Despite earning a meager $1.2 million US in previews, as per the Hollywood Reporter, Warner projects a domestic weekend box office of only $12-15 million US, marking a disappointing opening amidst a year filled with underperforming releases for the studio. Following a series of unsuccessful films like “The Bride!”, “Supergirl”, “The End of Oak Street”, and “Practical Magic 2”, Warner Bros. may face one of its biggest flops in recent years with “Digger”.
“Digger,” a peculiar tale about an oil magnate tasked with rectifying a disaster caused by his drilling operations, took a risky approach by bypassing the festival circuit, banking on positive word-of-mouth and star power to draw audiences to theaters.
The decision to target Cruise enthusiasts and avoid early negative reviews seemed logical, marking the actor’s first venture outside franchise films since 2017’s “American Made.”
Directed by Iñárritu, known for his successes with “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” “Digger” faced early critical backlash, risking its prospects despite initial acclaim.
Receiving scathing reviews from sources like the Boston Globe, RogerEbert.com, and the New York Times, the film prompted producers to release an ad featuring Cruise’s character lashing out at critics. Even favorable reviews acknowledged the film’s experimental nature, casting doubt on its financial recovery.
With a lackluster 2026 lineup following a successful 2025, Warner Bros. faces challenges, as none of its releases this year surpassed $100 million US domestically.
If “Digger” fails to perform, it could join other 2026 disappointments like “Melania” and “Desert Warrior,” underscoring the risks and consequences of bold artistic choices in a competitive market.
Despite its anticipated poor showing, “Digger” may still hold value for Warner Bros., potentially positioning Cruise for awards success and finding an audience through streaming platforms.
The film’s failure coincides with Warner Bros.’ impending acquisition by Paramount and the rumored departure of key film executives, raising concerns about the conglomerate’s future artistic direction.
