Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Opens to $20M Global Flop Amid Warner Bros. Merger

Tom Cruise's latest film, "Digger," directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, collapsed at the global box office with an estimated $20 million opening weekend. The dark comedy earned just $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally across 74 markets, marking one of the worst debuts of Cruise's career.

The film carries a reported production budget of $160 million, with marketing costs estimated at an additional $100 million. Industry analysts suggest the total financial exposure makes profitability highly unlikely despite Cruise's typical strength in overseas markets.

“DIGGER is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I'm so proud of what we created.”

Cruise posted behind-the-scenes photos on X Saturday, stating he was "so proud" of the film and thanking the cast and crew for an "unforgettable" experience. The actor plays an oil tycoon whose actions trigger a global catastrophe in the politically charged satire.

The dismal opening coincides with a pivotal corporate moment: U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved the $110 billion Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday, with the merger expected to close Tuesday. Warner Bros. has failed to release a single film grossing $100 million domestically this year.

Meanwhile, Amazon MGM's "Verity," a Colleen Hoover adaptation starring Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, claimed the top spot with a $32.6 million debut, extending the author's box office streak.