Image Source: The New York Times
Digger is heading into a surprisingly difficult box office weekend, with Tom Cruise’s latest film now expected to open well behind Amazon MGM Studios’ thriller Verity. The Warner Bros. release, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, has attracted attention for its unusual premise and Cruise’s dramatic transformation, but early tracking suggests audiences may be hesitant to embrace the ambitious project.
Digger Faces a Critical Box Office Test
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is projecting a domestic opening between $12 million and $15 million for Digger. International markets could contribute an additional $15 million to $20 million during the same period.
Those numbers represent a significant decline from earlier third-party forecasts, which predicted that the movie could debut near $30 million in North America. The film’s reported production budget also adds pressure. Initial estimates placed the cost at $125 million, while later reports suggested that spending may have climbed closer to $180 million. Warner Bros. has disputed the higher figure.
The movie stars Cruise as a powerful entrepreneur whose actions contribute to a natural disaster. The story marks a major departure from the high-octane action franchises that have defined much of the actor’s recent career, including the Mission: Impossible series and his upcoming Days of Thunder 2.
A Bold Creative Gamble for Tom Cruise
Digger generated considerable conversation after Cruise unveiled footage at CinemaCon. Rather than playing a polished action hero, the actor appears as a portly, gray-haired and deeply unpleasant businessman. The film also tackles climate change, giving it a darker and more filmmaker-driven identity than a traditional studio blockbuster.
That creative risk has earned praise from industry observers, even as it complicates the marketing campaign. Rentrak analyst Paul Dergarabedian told The Hollywood Reporter that expectations should focus on what the film is attempting to be, rather than on Cruise’s star power alone.
“It’s not positioned as a mainstream blockbuster, but rather as an audacious filmmaking showcase for one of the world’s biggest movie stars and filmmaker Iñárritu,” Dergarabedian said.
The movie’s reception has been sharply divided. Digger currently holds a 50 percent critics approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic David Rooney delivered a particularly harsh assessment, describing the film as exhausting and criticizing its extended runtime.
Why Verity Could Dominate the Weekend
While Digger struggles to find a clear commercial identity, Verity is positioned to lead the domestic box office. The Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel is projected to earn between $27 million and $30 million in its opening weekend.
Directed by Michael Showalter, Verity stars Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to ghostwrite for the acclaimed author Verity Crawford after a family tragedy leaves the novelist unable to continue her work.
The film has also received mixed reviews, earning a 48 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, its recognizable literary source material and prominent cast could give it a stronger connection with general audiences than Digger.
- Digger: Projected domestic opening of $12 million to $15 million.
- Verity: Projected domestic opening of $27 million to $30 million.
- Digger budget: Initially reported at $125 million, with later estimates approaching $180 million.
- Verity budget: Approximately $40 million.
Warner Bros. Needs Strong Word of Mouth
Warner Bros. is hoping awards recognition can help Digger build momentum after its opening weekend. The studio benefited from powerful word of mouth and awards attention for several 2025 releases, including One Battle After Another and Sinners.
However, the studio’s 2026 lineup has been more uneven. Wuthering Heights remains the company’s strongest domestic performer so far, while films including The Bride!, Supergirl and Practical Magic 2 have faced commercial challenges.
The outcome of Digger could influence how studios assess original star vehicles in an increasingly franchise-focused marketplace. Cruise remains one of the industry’s biggest names, but his recent non-franchise appeal is being tested by a film that deliberately rejects the familiar formula audiences associate with him.
Ultimately, the weekend will reveal whether moviegoers are willing to support a challenging, unconventional drama from a major star—or whether they prefer the more accessible suspense of Verity. For Warner Bros., the result could be one of the season’s most closely watched box office stories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digger
What is Digger about?
Digger follows a powerful entrepreneur whose actions contribute to a natural disaster. The film explores climate change and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Who directed Digger?
Digger was directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for ambitious films such as Birdman and The Revenant.
How much is Digger expected to make in its opening weekend?
Warner Bros. is projecting a domestic opening between $12 million and $15 million, with an additional $15 million to $20 million internationally.
What movie is expected to beat Digger at the box office?
Amazon MGM Studios’ Verity, starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, is projected to lead with an opening between $27 million and $30 million.
