- Primary Subject: Tom Cruise
- Key Update: Tom Cruise responded to the severe box office flop of his satirical comedy-drama Digger.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: October 7, 2026
- Quick Answer: Following Digger’s $8 million domestic flop, Tom Cruise dismissed opening weekend box office numbers, explaining he prioritizes making lasting cinema over immediate financial success.
Tom Cruise has clarified that he is not making movies for "opening weekend" amidst the box office disappointment of Digger.
The A-list star's new satirical comedy-drama failed at the box office in its debut weekend, grossing only $8 million in North America and making it his biggest bomb to date. As a result, the studio is expected to lose around $150 million, and some are wondering whether Cruise will return to action movies after the performance.
Tom Cruise's Statement on Box Office Numbers Amidst Digger Flop
In an interview on the On Film With Kevin McCarthy podcast, released on Digger's opening day, Tom Cruise opened up about his philosophy when it comes to making movies.
He clarified that he is not keen on the opening weekend numbers, and instead, he prefers his movies to have a long-lasting impact.
"When I am making [movies], I’m not going, ‘Opening weekend!’ I feel very much like we’re going to make something that is a lasting piece of cinema," the A-list star said.
The remarks have become viral now after post-weekend reports revealed that Digger massively underperformed at its debut at the box office.
Cruise and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu cited Blade Runner as an example of a "masterpiece" that "everybody killed" when it opened in theaters.
"They transcend… you just hope you can make a film that can last. So many things happen when you open a movie. I was fortunate to release movies in the ’80s and ’90s, when movies would stay in the theater for a year," Cruise added.
"With Rain Man and Born on the Fourth of July, these movies would just play and play for a year. How can I make a film that can translate and last and evolve? And I feel that way… that is Digger. It’s one of those movies."
While the interview was conducted before the release, based on his remarks, it looks like Cruise is not affected by the abysmal box office numbers of his new film and is more interested in seeing whether it will have longevity.
What Is Digger About?
Digger follows the most powerful man in the world who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.
The cast includes Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons. Alejandro G. Iñárritu directed the film from a screenplay by Iñárritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, with a story by Berman, Iñárritu, and Jez Butterworth.
The film was shot using VistaVision cameras, giving it a distinctive visual style unlike that of many conventional theatrical releases.
Cruise explained in an interview: "Performance is not just about me. It’s about the environment, it’s setting, it’s tone—all of that is important. You want to prepare, prepare, prepare, and we’re deliberate, but you want surprises. We all had an idea of what it was going to be, but there were always those surprises, and it has an organic feel to it. Those are the things that I enjoy. I enjoy films like that. I like the way that looks."
It is still showing in theaters worldwide.
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