A Historic Flop Takes Shape
According to insiders, the R-rated environmental satire 'Digger,' directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, is on course to shed $245 million during its theatrical release. That would place it among the worst box office failures ever, not merely this year. Following a debut weekend of $8 million in North America and $20 million worldwide, Warner Bros. had anticipated losses of $150 million to $200 million. With second-weekend ticket sales falling 60%, the studio now expects a bigger write-down, as totals reached $14.4 million domestically and $35.3 million globally.[S1][S2][S3]
Worldwide, 'Digger' is projected to finish its theatrical run with about $50 million. To break even, it would need $350 million globally, since exhibitors retain roughly half of ticket revenue. A Warner Bros. representative disputed that figure, maintaining the film's break-even threshold is $300 million.[S1]
Budget, Marketing and Star Support
'Digger,' a quirky dark comedy in which Cruise plays a wealthy oil magnate whose firm triggers a possible disaster, was a gamble from the start as an uncommon big-budget, star-driven original tentpole in a harsh theatrical market. Warner Bros. approved it at $125 million, but overruns pushed the cost to $160 million–$180 million, plus another $100 million for worldwide marketing. Those sums reportedly exclude awards spending. A film with such a star and celebrated director might have warranted an Oscar push near $15 million, though that could be reduced after the chilly response. Reviews were so poor that the studio ran social media ads urging viewers to judge for themselves.[S1]
Even so, several Hollywood figures—Anne Hathaway, Jane Fonda, Guillermo del Toro and Mandy Patinkin among them—rallied behind 'Digger' and urged people to return to movie theaters.[S1]
Warner Bros.' Broader Struggles
Few films turn a profit from theatrical release alone, yet box office performance matters because it shapes later TV, Pay 1 and streaming agreements. The studio's path to profitability is further delayed by Cruise's deal, which lets him take a share of revenues before Warner Bros. recovers any expenses.[S1]
As the studio's final solo release before its Paramount merger, 'Digger' deepens a rough year for Warner Bros. Theatrical losses have mounted from flops like 'The Bride' and 'Supergirl.' Warner co-chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, who exited last Friday as 'Digger' opened, had a record-setting 2025 with hits such as 'Sinners,' 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Weapons.' Yet after they moved several costly bets into this year, no film has surpassed $100 million domestically. Warner's box office should improve in December with Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune: Part III,' featuring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.[S1]
