Tom Cruise has spent decades proving he can deliver Hollywood blockbusters, but his latest movie has become a costly disappointment that could leave Warner Bros. facing losses of at least $150 million.
The 64-year-old superstar’s new film, “Digger,” opened to just $8 million at the North American box office, a disastrous debut for a production that reportedly cost as much as $180 million to make.
The dark comedy, directed by Academy Award winner Alejandro González Iñárritu, was supposed to mark an exciting new chapter for Cruise after years of dominating theaters with action-packed hits such as “Top Gun: Maverick” and the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.
Instead, it has become one of the biggest financial disappointments of his career.
Released October 2, the movie earned approximately $20 million worldwide during its opening weekend, far below the figures typically needed to support a major Hollywood production.
And things only got worse.
Ticket sales plunged 60% during the film’s second weekend, followed by another steep decline as theaters began reducing the number of screenings.
By late October, worldwide ticket sales had reached only about $46 million, leaving the film nowhere near recovering its enormous costs.
Industry reports estimate that Warner Bros. spent between $160 million and $180 million producing “Digger,” along with roughly $100 million promoting it.
Depending on its eventual earnings from theaters, streaming and home entertainment, the movie could lose the studio $150 million or more.
The disappointing performance is especially surprising because Cruise has long been considered one of Hollywood’s most dependable box office stars.
In 2022, “Top Gun: Maverick” became a worldwide sensation, earning nearly $1.5 billion and proving that the actor could still draw enormous crowds to movie theaters.
“Digger,” however, presented audiences with a very different version of the star.
Rather than playing a fearless pilot or international spy, Cruise portrays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil tycoon desperately trying to convince the world that he can save humanity after his company triggers an environmental catastrophe.
The surreal satire features an ensemble cast that includes John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons and Michael Stuhlbarg.
It also represents a significant artistic departure for Cruise, who has increasingly focused on physically demanding action roles rather than unconventional dramatic performances.
The movie’s unusual tone and complicated premise proved difficult to sell to audiences.
Critics were divided over Iñárritu’s ambitious approach, with some praising its performances and visual style while others criticized its storytelling and humor.
Industry analysts have also questioned whether the film’s advertising successfully explained what moviegoers should expect.
Cruise’s dramatic physical transformation for the role, which made him almost unrecognizable in some promotional material, may have further complicated the campaign.
The disappointing results have reportedly created tension behind the scenes.
According to RadarOnline, unnamed insiders claim Cruise has been deeply frustrated by the movie’s performance and has privately directed blame toward people involved in the project.
One source alleged that the actor was particularly upset because he viewed “Digger” as an opportunity to remind Hollywood of his abilities beyond action movies.
However, those claims about Cruise’s private reaction have not been independently verified, and there is no public confirmation that he has confronted studio executives or blamed colleagues for the film’s failure.
His own public comments have struck a noticeably different tone.
During the movie’s opening weekend, Cruise thanked the cast and crew for their dedication and expressed pride in the film they created.
The reaction from other Hollywood figures has also been more supportive than the box office numbers might suggest.
Several filmmakers and actors have defended the project, arguing that an ambitious artistic effort should not be judged solely by ticket sales.
Director Guillermo del Toro was among those who publicly pushed back against the focus on financial performance, emphasizing that filmmaking is an art form rather than simply a commercial competition.
The setback comes at an important moment in Cruise’s career.
Despite earning multiple Academy Award nominations over the years, the actor has never won a competitive acting Oscar.
His collaboration with Iñárritu, whose previous films include “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” generated early speculation that “Digger” could give him another opportunity for awards recognition.
But the film’s difficult reception and commercial struggles have complicated that possibility.
For Warner Bros., the financial consequences may be significant, particularly given the studio’s substantial investment in a movie that departed from Cruise’s familiar blockbuster formula.
The final loss will depend on additional revenue and expenses, but the theatrical performance has already fallen far short of expectations.
Still, one major disappointment does not erase Cruise’s extraordinary career.
The actor remains one of the industry’s most recognizable stars, with decades of successful movies and a reputation for taking enormous creative and physical risks.
Whether “Digger” eventually finds an audience outside theaters remains to be seen.
For now, the movie stands as a reminder that even Hollywood’s biggest stars cannot guarantee a hit — especially when they step far outside the roles audiences have come to expect.