John Goodman Says Digger Reviews ‘Killed’ the Movie Before It Was Released
Actor John Goodman blamed negative critical reviews for undermining Tom Cruise’s film Digger before its theatrical release, speaking with interviewer Josh Horowitz about the movie’s failure. The film has become one of 2026’s biggest Hollywood box office bombs, earning only $49 million against a reported production budget of $125–180 million, making theatrical profitability impossible and unlikely to recover losses through home video and other revenue streams.
Goodman’s comments highlight the impact critical reception can have on a film’s commercial prospects before audiences have a chance to form their own opinions. The scale of Digger’s underperformance is particularly significant given Tom Cruise’s historical status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, suggesting that even established A-list talent faces increasing challenges in guaranteeing theatrical success. The gap between the film’s substantial budget and its box office returns underscores the financial risks studios face with major tent-pole releases.