Tom Cruise isn't letting a box office nightmare steal his spotlight, even as his latest movie struggles to bring audiences into theaters. The actor's comedy-drama Digger, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G.
Iñárritu, has reportedly collected just $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally across 74 territories following its October 2, 2026, release. That's a rough start for a movie carrying a reported $160 million production budget and another $100 million in marketing costs.
In other words, the numbers are doing anything but digging the film out of trouble. While the disappointing figures have raised questions about the film's commercial prospects, Cruise isn't treating the opening weekend as the final verdict.
Speaking on the podcast On Film With Kevin McCarthy, the 64-year-old reflected on how dramatically the movie business has changed since his early career. "So many things happen when you open a movie.
I was fortunate to release movies in the 80s and 90s, when movies would stay in the theater for a year," Cruise explained, pointing to films like Rain Man and Born on the Fourth of July. In Digger, Cruise plays wealthy oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, whose drilling project sets off an environmental catastrophe.
The cast also includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, and Jesse Plemons. The film marks a notable departure from Cruise's action-heavy blockbuster formula, although that gamble hasn't translated into a strong opening so far.
Critics have questioned the film's ambitious messaging, while supporters have praised the actor for taking on an unconventional role. Whether positive word-of-mouth can rescue the film remains to be seen.
For now, Cruise is betting on a lesson Hollywood sometimes forgets: a movie's opening weekend isn't necessarily its whole story. The industry is watching closely to see if the film can find a second wind in the coming weeks as international markets continue to report figures.
Despite the current financial hurdles, studio executives remain hopeful that the star power of Cruise and the critical acclaim for Iñárritu's direction will eventually draw more viewers. The shift in audience behavior toward streaming platforms has made theatrical runs increasingly unpredictable, a challenge that even the biggest stars in the world are currently navigating.
Cruise remains optimistic, emphasizing that the artistic value of the project remains his primary focus. He noted that the process of filmmaking is about more than just the initial weekend returns, especially for a project that tackles complex themes like environmental responsibility and corporate greed.
As the film enters its second week, marketing teams are pivoting their strategy to highlight the performances of the supporting cast. Fans have taken to social media to express their support, hoping that the film's unique narrative will eventually find its audience.
Ultimately, the success of Digger will serve as a case study for how mid-budget dramas perform in a post-pandemic landscape. Whether it becomes a cult classic or remains a financial disappointment, the conversation surrounding the film is far from over.