“Digger,” Tom Cruise’s new film, has a weak debut at the box office. The $180 million production grossed $8 million in its opening weekend

“Digger,” Tom Cruise’s new film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, opened in fifth place at the North American box office, grossing just $8 million in its first weekend. The result is considered one of the weakest for a production of this scale and could turn the film into one of the biggest commercial failures in cinema history.

The film, a black comedy about an oil tycoon facing the prospect of an ecological disaster, had an estimated production budget of between $160 million and $180 million. Internationally, “Digger” grossed another $12 million in 73 countries, bringing its global total to approximately $20 million.

Warner Bros. was banking on the combination of Tom Cruise and the director acclaimed for “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” at a time when studios are releasing fewer and fewer original films. However, the production was met with negative reactions from critics, while revenue estimates were repeatedly revised ahead of its premiere.

The studio spent approximately $100 million on promotion, meaning the film would need to reach revenues of around $350 million to recoup its costs. Analysts estimate that losses could reach $150–200 million. “Digger” continues Warner Bros.’ run of poor results in 2026, and the studio is now pinning its hopes on “Dune: Part Three,” scheduled for release in December.