Despite the return of a prominent actor to serious roles, an Oscar-winning director, and extensive publicity, the film “Digger” seems destined to be one of the major box-office failures of the year. According to reports, this dark comedy, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, experienced a significant budget increase from its initial $125 million to $160-180 million. The film’s break-even point, including marketing costs, is estimated to be around $350 million, although Warner Bros. disputes this figure, stating their break-even point is closer to $300 million.
During previews, “Digger” only managed to earn $1.2 million, and industry sources predict a disappointing domestic opening of $12-15 million for the weekend. This potential underperformance follows a series of lackluster releases from Warner Bros. this year, including “The Bride!,” “Supergirl,” “The End of Oak Street,” and “Practical Magic 2.” The film’s unconventional plot about an oil magnate tasked with rectifying an environmental disaster caused by his drilling activities always carried inherent risks. Opting to bypass traditional film festivals, “Digger” relied on star power and positive buzz to draw audiences to theaters.
Despite being helmed by acclaimed director Iñárritu, known for his successes with “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” early critical reactions have been mixed. Some critics have labeled “Digger” as the worst film of Tom Cruise’s career, a metafictional labyrinth, and a cumbersome production. Even positive reviews acknowledge the film’s experimental nature, casting doubt on its financial prospects.
With modest box-office achievements so far in 2026, Warner Bros. faces challenges from potential commercial failures like “Digger.” The film’s lackluster performance could place it among this year’s notable flops, alongside movies like “Melania” and “Desert Warrior.” Despite these setbacks, there is speculation that “Digger” could still find success in the streaming market or potentially earn recognition at prestigious awards ceremonies.
The film’s disappointing outcome coincides with Warner Bros.’ impending acquisition by Paramount and the reported departure of key executives following the merger. The failure of “Digger,” despite its thematic boldness, raises questions about the conglomerate’s future artistic endeavors and commercial choices.