John Goodman Says Digger Reviews 'Killed' the Movie Before It Was Released

John Goodman, who co-starred in Tom Cruise's latest film Digger, has expressed his belief that the movie's poor critical reception significantly impacted its success before it even hit theaters. Cruise's film, which has only generated $49 million against a reported budget of $125–180 million, is considered one of Hollywood's biggest disappointments in 2026. This financial setback and negative reception raise concerns about Cruise's future film endeavors.

Speaking with Josh Horowitz, Goodman attributed much of Digger's underperformance to the critical backlash it faced. The film's Rotten Tomatoes score, currently at 53%, places it among Cruise's most divisive movies and marks the lowest-rated film in his career since 2017's The Mummy. Goodman's disappointment was palpable, stating, "They kinda killed us before we opened" in response to headlines suggesting the movie would only gross $5 million at the box office.

Despite this, Goodman remains proud of his performance in the film and defends its message, even if it didn't reach a broader audience.

IGN awarded Digger a 6 out of 10, acknowledging its strong performances and humor, but lamented that the movie fails to convincingly convey its intended message. The review suggests that while Digger may not change viewers' opinions on global warming, it offers excellent acting and comedic moments. The outlet recommends watching Digger on the big screen, especially for AMC A-List members or those with similar subscriptions, as it may be remembered as a misjudged film that ages well over time.

While some hope Digger will eventually be revisited with a more favorable perspective, its current trajectory suggests it will take considerable time for the film to garner a meaningful reevaluation. As for Cruise, whether he will attempt more ambitious projects in the future remains uncertain, but the team behind Digger stands firmly behind the film despite its challenging start.