Digger sets Tom Cruise’s lowest box office opening in 19 years
The weekend box office is a battlefield, and this week delivered some dramatic swings, proving that even massive budgets and superstar names can sometimes land a significant miss. At the center of the turmoil is Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger, a film starring Tom Cruise that seems to have stumbled over its own momentum despite its hefty $130 million budget.
Digger has been fighting for attention, but the early buzz has been anything but smooth. It opened lower than many predictions, taking in only an $8 million opening. This performance has put Cruise’s latest work in the uncomfortable position of marking his lowest opening as a leading man since Lions for Lambs back in 2007, which grossed $6.7 million.
While the initial reception for Digger was lukewarm, it is battling against some monumental hits. The Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity is clearly dominating the conversation, with analysts predicting a much larger opening, potentially reaching $33 million. However, even this highly anticipated film is struggling to generate enthusiasm, evidenced by its lackluster CinemaScore of a C+, mirroring the dissatisfaction seen with Digger.
Meanwhile, the landscape is filled with massive holdovers and volatility. The action world continues to prove its staying power, with Resident Evil maintaining strong momentum, having already banked a total of $124 million with a $12 million opening. In other news, Brad Pitt’s Heart of the Beast is holding steady, tracking to drop by 45% to $11 million this weekend.
The blockbuster world is facing its share of turbulence. Avengers: Endgame Encore experienced one of the most staggering second-week drops in history, plummeting by 87% to $4.2 million, as audiences seemingly committed their attention elsewhere following the epic conclusion.
Even films from established studios are seeing shifts. Primetime is experiencing a noticeable decline, falling 56% to $8.2 million, though this could prove to be a solid moneymaker for A24.
The weekend box office picture remains fluid, with many blockbuster performances yet to be fully revealed, but the story of the weekend is one of impressive persistence and dramatic shifts across the cinematic spectrum.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
