Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Tracking Falls to $12 Million-$15 Million on $160 Million-$180 Million Budget
Updated
Updated · Variety · Sep 30
Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Tracking Falls to $12 Million-$15 Million on $160 Million-$180 Million Budget
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Sep 30
Summary
$12 million to $15 million is the new North American opening range for Warner Bros.' “Digger,” down from earlier projections of $18 million to $20 million ahead of its Oct. 2 debut.
A launch closer to $40 million would be needed to support a production budget that sources say swelled from $125 million to $160 million-$180 million, plus roughly $100 million in marketing; Warner disputes some of those figures.
Analysts say the R-rated original black comedy faces a tough sell despite Tom Cruise's heavy promotion, with profitability also delayed by his first-dollar gross deal, though overseas markets could provide more support.
The weak tracking lands as Warner Bros. struggles through a poor 2026 box-office year, holding just 6% of the domestic market after several costly flops, even as the broader theatrical market posts its strongest year since COVID.