Tom Cruise’s Digger is heading toward a punishing opening weekend, while Amazon MGM Studios’ Verity is expected to take the top spot at the domestic box office.
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Digger collected approximately $3.3 million on Friday, a figure that includes Thursday previews. The Warner Bros. release is now projected to open with around $8 million, falling below the studio’s already modest forecast of $12 million to $15 million.
That result would be especially painful for a film carrying a $125 million production budget. It would also give Cruise his lowest opening weekend since the 2007 war drama Lions for Lambs, which launched with $6.7 million on a far smaller budget.
‘Verity’ Claims the Weekend
At the other end of the chart, Verity earned $15.1 million on Friday, including its Thursday preview grosses. The thriller is expected to finish the weekend at No. 1 domestically with an estimated $33.6 million.
Michael Showalter directed the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, which stars Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. The story follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, played by Johnson, after she accepts work as a ghostwriter for acclaimed author Verity Crawford, portrayed by Hathaway.
Despite its stronger commercial start, Verity received the same C+ CinemaScore as Digger. Reviewers have also been cool on the thriller, which holds a 34 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critic Richard Lawson described it as a “literary misfire.”
A Major Creative Gamble for Cruise
Digger represents a significant departure for Cruise, transforming the star into an overweight, balding oil tycoon whose actions have caused a natural disaster. Riz Ahmed, John Goodman and Sandra Hüller also appear in the film.
Audience response suggests the project is proving divisive. Its C+ CinemaScore ranks among the weakest audience grades of Cruise’s career and matches the score received by Lions for Lambs.
Critical reaction has been similarly split. Digger currently has a 51 percent approval rating from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes, while critic David Rooney delivered the particularly harsh verdict that the movie was “dead and buried.”
Warner Bros. is nevertheless holding out hope that potential awards attention could help the film maintain momentum as more moviegoers discover it. The opening numbers, however, leave the expensive production facing a difficult road.
Earlier in his career, Cruise took chances on filmmaker-led projects including Born on the Fourth of July and Magnolia. More recently, his fans have become accustomed to seeing him in action-heavy franchise titles. He is also set to begin filming Days of Thunder 2 soon.
Rentrak’s Paul Dergarabedian cautioned against judging Digger by the box-office expectations typically attached to Cruise’s name.
“We have to place our expectations around what this movie is and what it’s trying to be, rather than what the name Tom Cruise might normally be expected to deliver at the box office,” Dergarabedian said.
A Pivotal Moment for Warner Bros.
The disappointing launch arrives during a consequential period for Warner Bros. Digger is the studio’s final release as a stand-alone company, with Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. expected to be finalized Oct. 6.
The transition is also bringing leadership changes. Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are exiting, while Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein are set to take over.
De Luca and Abdy oversaw a strong 2025 that included the success of acclaimed Oscar winners One Battle After Another and Sinners. Results from the studio’s 2026 releases have been considerably less encouraging.
What Happens Next?
Verity is positioned to leave the weekend with a decisive box-office victory despite weak audience and critical scores. For Digger, attention will turn to whether awards buzz and later audience discovery can provide the staying power Warner Bros. is hoping for after its projected $8 million debut.