Brief
Warner Bros. faces $245 million loss as Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ underperforms
Industry analysts say the film’s $160‑$180 million budget and up to $100 million marketing spend have not been recouped.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Two weeks after its October 2, 2026 debut, Tom Cruise’s eco‑satire Digger has earned $14.4 million in North America and $35.3 million worldwide, according to Gulf News. Analysts estimate the shortfall could translate into a loss of roughly $245 million for Warner Bros., which includes production costs of $160‑$180 million and marketing expenses that may reach $100 million.
What happened
The film, directed by Alejandro Iñárritu, opened to mixed‑to‑negative reviews and modest box‑office receipts. After two weeks, North American revenue stood at $14.4 million, while international earnings added $20.9 million, bringing the global total to $35.3 million. The steep drop‑off has led industry observers to label the performance a financial disaster.
What the reports add
Christopher Rosen of The Ankler told AFP that the film “has to be considered a disaster” given its $160‑$180 million production budget and the fact that it has generated “relatively nothing at the box office.” Boxoffice Pro’s Daniel Loria noted that the film was marketed as a general‑audience picture despite being an art‑house satire, which may have confused potential viewers. Market analyst Paul Dergarabedian highlighted Cruise’s extensive promotion, saying the star “was literally everywhere for this movie,” yet the box‑office results fell far short of expectations.
What was said
“Financially it has to be considered a disaster,” Christopher Rosen said to AFP, as quoted by Gulf News.
“Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Daniel Loria told AFP, adding that the film “was never going to get a general audience to get behind it.”
Paul Dergarabedian told AFP, “By virtue of Tom Cruise’s star power, there was a spotlight on this movie. Anything he does is going to be under a microscope.”
How it came about
Warner Bros. green‑lit Digger under former chiefs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca, who were known for backing original projects. The studio’s merger with Paramount Skydance closed shortly before the film’s release, adding pressure to deliver a hit. Earlier Felo coverage noted the film’s rising budget—from an initial $125 million to $160‑$180 million—and the studio’s break‑even target of $300‑$350 million worldwide. Forecasts in September projected a $12‑$15 million domestic opening, which the actual $14.4 million figure barely meets, while overseas performance remains well below the $15‑$20 million forecast.
Key facts
- Digger has earned $14.4 million in North America after two weeks. (gulfnews.com)
- Global box‑office total stands at $35.3 million. (gulfnews.com)
- Production costs are estimated at $160‑$180 million, with marketing up to $100 million. (gulfnews.com)
- Analysts project a loss of about $245 million for Warner Bros. (gulfnews.com)
- Director Alejandro Iñárritu and star Tom Cruise promoted the film heavily. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Tom Cruise’s Digger sinks at box office, threatening $250 million loss for Warner Bros”
