Tom Cruise is used to blockbusters, but his newest film is a flop. "Digger," directed by Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, opened to about $8 million in North America over the weekend, finishing fifth, the Los Angeles Times and Deadline reported. It earned about $20 million worldwide.

That is Cruise's weakest opening since 2007, according to the reports. It is a sharp drop for a star whose "Top Gun: Maverick" earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide in 2022.

The math is grim. "Digger" cost about $125 million to make, plus roughly $100 million for marketing, Deadline reported. The Guardian said the film could lose as much as $150 million. Studios usually need a film to earn about two to three times its budget in theaters to break even.

Why did it struggle? The film is a dark, artsy drama rather than the action movies Cruise fans expect. It also opened against Anne Hathaway's thriller "Verity," which took in about $32.6 million.

Here is the background. Iñárritu won back-to-back best director Oscars for "Birdman" in 2015 and "The Revenant" in 2016. Cruise has spent most of the past decade making action films, especially the "Mission: Impossible" series, and is known for doing his own stunts. "Digger" was a rare chance to see him in a more serious role.

Big-name stars no longer guarantee big crowds. Many recent adult dramas have struggled in theaters, while franchise films, horror and family movies have done better. Some studios now send such films to streaming sooner.

Entertainment Weekly called the opening a big loss for the studio.

"Digger" is in theaters now.

What we know: "Digger" opened to about $8 million, Cruise's worst debut since 2007.
What we don't: How much it will earn overseas and on streaming.