‘Digger’ CinemaScore Revealed Adding a New Twist to Tom Cruise’s Weekend

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
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Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger‘ was anticipated to be a significant cinematic event. This satirical dark comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu was initially pitched as a contender for awards, showcasing Cruise in a transformative role as Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon dubbed the most powerful man in the world. This character marks a stark departure from his iconic Ethan Hunt persona.

The critical reception has been divided. Currently, the film holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 236 reviews, marking Cruise’s first rotten score since 2017’s ‘The Mummy.’ In response, Warner Bros. launched an ad campaign encouraging audiences to form their own opinions, juxtaposing both positive and negative reviews.

The audience verdict is now in. CinemaScore announced on X on October 3 that ‘Digger’ received a grade of C+. The announcement featured the film’s poster, which depicts Cruise in a cowboy hat with a shovel, accompanied by the tagline “Digg. Or Die,” and mentions that the film was shot in VistaVision and is available in IMAX.

Audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes appear to be slightly more favorable than those from critics. The Popcornmeter currently shows a 71% rating based on over 250 verified ratings, which is nearly 20 points higher than the Tomatometer. However, this score still lags behind the 88% audience rating of Cruise’s previous film, ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.’

The C+ rating is particularly significant for the film’s box office performance. ‘Digger’ garnered $1.2 million during Thursday previews and opened in 3,321 theaters. Deadline’s Friday evening update projected a weekend total of around $10 million. Film Updates reported tracking figures ranging from $6 million to $9 million, with an early estimate suggesting a potential $7 million opening day.

Any of these figures would represent Cruise’s lowest opening since 2007’s ‘Lions for Lambs.’ This is a considerable decline from the $18 million to $20 million projections prior to the reviews being released. Warner Bros. had initially anticipated a weekend gross between $12 million and $15 million.

The film’s budget complicates matters further. Originally greenlit at $125 million, reports indicate that the final cost may have ballooned to between $160 million and $180 million due to production delays. Variety estimates that the break-even point is around $350 million, factoring in marketing expenses.

Screenshot 2026 10 03 at 08 58 38 Digger 2026 Rotten Tomatoes

In contrast, competing films are performing significantly better. Anne Hathaway’s ‘Verity’ earned $14.5 million on Friday, including previews, and is projected to open around $32 million. This starkly contrasts with the performances of both films, which have received mixed reviews.

The timing of ‘Digger’s release is particularly challenging for the studio. This film marks Cruise’s reunion with Warner Bros. for the first time since ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and is Iñárritu’s first English-language feature since ‘The Revenant.’ Additionally, it coincides with reports of Warner film executives Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy potentially leaving the company.

A C+ rating may hinder the film’s longevity at the box office, and the disappointing critical reception has raised concerns regarding Cruise’s Oscar prospects. Nevertheless, with a Popcornmeter score in the 70s and a star who remains a focal point of discussion, ‘Digger’ could still cultivate a dedicated following despite its initial box office challenges.

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