Tom Cruise is not worried about Digger’s box office. The star posted on Instagram that he is “so proud of what we created” despite the film’s soft opening at theaters, calling the Alejandro G. Iñárritu-directed comedy a project he “honored” to make.
The post came after Deadline reported that Digger earned $8 million on opening weekend. That puts the satire, which follows Cruise as a wealthy oil tycoon named Digger Rockwell, near the bottom of Cruise’s career. Only 2007’s Lions for Lambs has opened lower for the actor since then.
Cruise’s Message To The Team
Cruise thanked the cast and crew directly in his post, saying the experience was “truly unforgettable.” He also noted that the film’s creation involved “such talented artists,” singling out the creative team behind the production.
“I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists,” he wrote. “Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy.”
“Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy.”
The message reads as genuine gratitude, even as the financial figures tell a different story. Cruise is praising the work itself, not the box office result.
The Numbers Behind The Opening
Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro reported the $8 million total earlier Saturday. The figure places Digger well below the usual pace for a Cruise vehicle, though the actor’s public response has been positive throughout the process.
Iñárritu has described the film as a project made for Gen Z audiences. About 60 percent of ticket buyers fell between 18 and 34 years old, according to Deadline’s reporting. More than 70 percent of the audience has been male.
The dark comedy earned a CinemaScore of C+. That is a middling mark from audiences who saw the film fresh, separate from professional critics.
What The Critics Said
Pete Hammond reviewed Digger for Deadline, and his assessment was blunt about the film’s ambition. He called Digger “unlike any film coming from a major Hollywood studio in years,” noting that Iñárritu “takes things much further and thus could be one of the more divisive movies for the masses in a very long time.”
The review points to a film that is clearly trying to stand apart from standard studio fare. Whether that ambition translates into long-term success remains to be seen.
Where Digger Is Playing Now
The film is currently playing in theaters across the coasts, with AMC Lincoln Square holding the best gross for the film. That suggests the biggest dollar figures are coming from high-profile locations rather than wide national release.
Digger is available to watch on deadline.com, where the full review and additional coverage of the film’s performance can be found.
What This Means For Cruise
Cruise’s public posture matters here. He is not defending the film’s reception. He is celebrating the people who made it.
That distinction is notable. Many actors would lean into marketing speak after a weak opening. Cruise is simply grateful for the experience.
The CinemaScore of C+ tells a different story. Audiences walked away with a mixed impression.
Iñárritu’s stated goal was a Gen Z audience, and the demographic breakdown supports that. The 60 percent figure shows the film is reaching the intended crowd, even if the overall turnout was smaller than hoped.
The gender split is also telling. A male-heavy audience suggests the film is playing to a specific demographic.
Cruise’s response is a model of how to handle a disappointing opening. He praises the work, thanks the team, and moves on. That is the kind of attitude that can sustain a film through its run.
Whether Digger finds a second life depends on word-of-mouth and the quality of its reviews. The CinemaScore is a mixed result, but the audience’s age breakdown is a bright spot.
For now, the film stands as a curiosity: a major Hollywood satire that opened quietly.
KEY FACTS BOX
– Opening weekend: $8 million
– Lowest opening for a Cruise film since 2007’s Lions for Lambs
– CinemaScore: C+
– 60 percent of ticket buyers aged 18-34
– More than 70 percent of audience male
– AMC Lincoln Square holds best gross for the film
Source material: “‘Digger’ Star Tom Cruise Says He’s “So Proud Of What We Created” Despite Soft Open At Theaters,” Deadline.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.