# Tom Cruise's Digger Opens Low, Verity Tops Box Office

> Tom Cruise's 'Digger' opens at $10M with lowest North American start in 19 years, while Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' leads with $32.7M worldwide.
- Title: Tom Cruise's Digger Opens Low, Verity Tops Box Office
- Summary: Tom Cruise's 'Digger' opens at $10M with lowest North American start in 19 years, while Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' leads with $32.7M worldwide. Tom Cruise's…
- Keywords: tom cruise, digger, verity, colleen hoover, amazon mgm studios, warner bros, box office, cinema score, rotten tomatoes, theater, entertainment, culture
- Source: Deadline — https://deadline.com/2026/10/box-office-verity-digger-1237145435
- Author: Anthony D'Alessandro
- Published: 2026-10-04T15:23:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tom cruise, digger, verity, colleen hoover, amazon mgm studios, warner bros, box office, cinema score, rotten tomatoes, theater, entertainment, culture
## Digger's Box Office Start
Digger opened to $10 million at 3,321 theaters, the lowest North American box office for Tom Cruise since 2007's Lions for Lambs at $6.7 million.
## Verity's Strong Debut
Verity earned $32.7 million worldwide with a $14.5 million Friday opening, becoming the second best box office start for a Colleen Hoover novel adaptation.
## CinemaScore Comparison
Both films received a C+ CinemaScore, the worst for Colleen Hoover's novels, though Verity's 79% female turnout and 50% recommend rate stood out.
## Digger's Audience Reaction
RelishMix metrics show Digger's audience score dropped from 8.1 to 6.4, with mixed-negative comments about the film's unclear plot and tonal identity.
## Digger's Demographics
Digger attracted 60% of viewers aged 18-34, 73% male, and 51% Caucasian, with low overall recommend rates at 47%.
## Verity's Marketing Strategy
Verity received Prime Video placements, including trailer drops during the Prime Steelers/Browns game and Amazon.com homepage hero spots.
## Digger's Production Context
Digger was produced for $160 million by Amazon MGM Studios, a significant cost for an arthouse film, with a CinemaScore of C-.
## Digger's Theatrical Performance
Digger played only 3,321 theaters, with 48% of its gross coming from coastal regions, and a strong showing in cities like Houston and Nashville.
## Digger's Genre and Satire
Digger is a political absurdist satire, with critics noting it's unclear whether it's satire or self-parody, and comparisons to Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove.
## Verity's Box Office Performance
Verity earned $32.7 million worldwide with a $14.5 million Friday opening, becoming the second best box office start for a Colleen Hoover novel adaptation.
## Digger's Social Media Reach
Digger's social media reach across Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube stood at 289.5 million followers before opening, -66% less than Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning.
## Digger's Theatrical Challenges
Digger's opening weekend grossed $8 million, with a 73% male audience and low overall recommend rates at 47%, indicating mixed audience reception.
## Digger's Marketing Strategy
Digger's marketing included a trailer during the Prime Steelers/Browns game and Amazon.com homepage hero spots, targeting the Gen Z audience.
## Digger's Financial Context
Digger's $160 million production cost is significantly higher than the $35 million production cost of Lions for Lambs, which opened at $6.7 million in 2007.
## Digger's Theatrical Performance
Digger played 3,321 theaters with a $8 million weekend gross, 48% of its gross coming from coastal regions, and strong showing in cities like Houston and Nashville.
## Digger's Overall Performance
Digger's opening weekend grossed $8 million, with a 73% male audience and low overall recommend rates at 47%, indicating mixed audience reception.
## Key takeaway

Tom Cruise's 'Digger' opens at $10M, the lowest North American box office for a Cruise film in 19 years, while Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' earns $32.7M worldwide.