Digger (2026): Cast, Story, Release Date & What to Know

*Digger* is a new 2026 film from filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Tom Cruise in the title role. The movie also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.

The film arrives in theaters and IMAX in North America on October 2, 2026. It follows Digger Rockwell, a powerful businessman who launches a frantic attempt to prove he can save humanity after a disaster he helped unleash threatens everything.

Here's what to know about *Digger*, including its cast, story, director, release date, and theatrical availability.

What Is Digger?

*Digger* is an original 2026 film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the filmmaker behind *Birdman* and *The Revenant*.

Tom Cruise stars as Digger Rockwell, a powerful figure whose actions put him at the center of a rapidly developing disaster. The official film synopsis describes Digger as a man who sets out to prove he is humanity's savior before the disaster he has unleashed destroys everything.

The movie combines dark comedy, drama, satire, and disaster elements rather than following the conventional action-movie formula associated with many of Cruise's recent films.

Digger Cast

The main cast of *Digger* includes:

Tom Cruise leads the film as Digger Rockwell. Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons make up the principal supporting cast.

Warner Bros. describes Cruise's co-stars as an ensemble that includes Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons.

Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell

Tom Cruise plays the title character, Digger Rockwell.

Digger is presented as an extremely powerful man who becomes responsible for a crisis and then sets out to convince the world that he can also be its savior.

The role gives Cruise a character very different from the straightforward heroic roles associated with many of his recent blockbuster films.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed plays a key role alongside Cruise. His character, Ganesh, is connected to the scientific and environmental side of the story as the growing crisis begins to unfold.

John Goodman

John Goodman is part of the film's principal supporting cast, adding another major name to Iñárritu's ensemble.

Sandra Hüller

Sandra Hüller also stars in the film. The Oscar-nominated actor joins Cruise and the rest of the ensemble in Iñárritu's original story.

What Is Digger About?

*Digger* follows Digger Rockwell, a powerful businessman whose actions help trigger a catastrophic crisis.

Rather than simply trying to escape the consequences, Digger becomes determined to prove that he can save humanity. That creates the central conflict of the film: the same man whose actions helped create the disaster now wants to become the person responsible for solving it.

The story uses that situation to explore power, responsibility, ambition, and the way people respond when the consequences of their decisions become impossible to ignore.

The official synopsis deliberately keeps much of the story under wraps, so viewers can discover the larger developments in the theater.

Who Directed Digger?

*Digger* was directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Iñárritu also co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman. The story was developed by Berman and Iñárritu with Jez Butterworth.

The film reunites Iñárritu with several longtime collaborators, including cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and production designer Dennis Gassner.

When Is Digger Releasing?

*Digger* opens in theaters and IMAX in North America on October 2, 2026.

The film began its international theatrical rollout on September 30, 2026, with Warner Bros. distributing the movie.

It was shot entirely in VistaVision and was designed for a theatrical presentation.

Where Can You Watch Digger?

For its initial release, *Digger* is a theatrical movie.

In North America, the film is playing in theaters and IMAX from October 2, 2026. International release dates began from September 30, depending on territory.

At launch, *Digger* is not a Netflix streaming release. Viewers looking to see the movie when it opens should check local theater listings for showtimes.

Is Digger a Tom Cruise Action Movie?

Not exactly.

Tom Cruise is best known for large-scale action films, but *Digger* takes a different approach. The movie is an original film from Alejandro G. Iñárritu and centers on a powerful man dealing with the consequences of a disaster rather than a conventional action hero facing a physical threat.

The film mixes satire, comedy, drama, and disaster elements, giving Cruise a substantially different type of role.

Digger FAQ

What is Digger about?

*Digger* follows Digger Rockwell, a powerful businessman who launches a mission to prove he can save humanity after a disaster he helped unleash threatens everything.

Who stars in Digger?

The film stars Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons, among others.

Who plays Digger Rockwell?

Tom Cruise plays Digger Rockwell.

Who directed Digger?

Alejandro G. Iñárritu directed *Digger*.

When does Digger come out?

*Digger* opens in North American theaters and IMAX on October 2, 2026. International releases began September 30, 2026, depending on territory.

Is Digger on Netflix?

No. *Digger* is being released theatrically by Warner Bros. and is not a Netflix release.

Is Digger a new Tom Cruise movie?

Yes. *Digger* is Tom Cruise's new 2026 film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

What genre is Digger?

*Digger* combines comedy, drama, satire, and disaster elements.

Final Takeaway

*Digger* brings together Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu for an original film that takes Cruise into a very different kind of role. With Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons joining the cast, the movie has a substantial ensemble behind its unusual disaster story.

The film is now arriving in theaters and IMAX, giving audiences the opportunity to see Iñárritu's latest project on the big screen.