Tom Cruise's latest big-screen gamble, the political satire Digger, has suffered a catastrophic fall from grace. After only two weeks in release, Warner Bros. has pulled the film from a staggering 2,758 theaters, marking one of the most dramatic screen contractions in modern box office history.
The Alejandro G. Iñárritu-directed project, which carried a hefty $180 million production budget, has managed to scrape together just $40 million worldwide so far. Domestically, it's projected to close out with less than $20 million—a devastating outcome for a movie that was positioned as a major awards contender.
A Historic Drop-Off
This weekend's theater exodus places Digger in the unenviable company of only two other films that lost more screens in their third week. Blake Lively's The Rhythm Section holds the record with a 2,955-theater loss, while Clint Eastwood's Cry Macho shed 2,780. Digger now sits third on that infamous list, with just 560 theaters still screening the film nationwide.
The movie's collapse is all the more striking given the massive marketing push that leaned heavily on Cruise's star power and Iñárritu's two-Oscar pedigree. Despite the hype, Digger opened to divisive reviews and has been unable to find a mainstream audience.
Critical and Celebrity Support
While the box office numbers are grim, Digger hasn't been without its champions. A-listers like Ben Affleck and Anne Hathaway have publicly voiced their support, and the film is already being tipped for cult status. Its Rotten Tomatoes score sits at a lukewarm 53%, with critics praising its audacious style but noting that its satire often misses the mark.
The film's ensemble—featuring John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Emma D'Arcy—has been praised, but that hasn't translated into ticket sales. Cruise's own Oscar hopes for Best Actor now look shaky, though a nomination could still give Digger a second life during awards season.
For context, other recent high-profile flops have seen similar fates. Anne Hathaway's Verity also lost theaters after a weak run, while Russell Crowe's acclaimed film was pulled from 1,500 screens. Even Zachary Levi's western lost to a silent film, showing that even star power can't guarantee success.
As Digger limps into its third weekend, the question now is whether it can find redemption in the streaming era. Spider-Man: Brand New Day proved that theatrical disappointments can find new life on digital platforms, but for Digger, the road to cult classic status will be a long one.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Digger's box office journey and awards season prospects.
