Tom Cruise may be best known for impossible missions, breathtaking stunts, and more than four decades of blockbuster performances, but his upcoming film Digger reveals another side of the Hollywood star—Tom Cruise, the producer and filmmaker.

Directed by Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Digger places Cruise almost unrecognizably in the role of Digger Rockwell, an eccentric and enormously powerful businessman racing to convince the world that he can save humanity from a catastrophe he helped unleash. Iñárritu has described the film as a

“brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions,”

while Cruise has said the unusual project feels unlike anything either of them has made before. The film arrives in theaters October 2, 2026.

Cruise didn't simply step in front of the camera. He produces alongside Iñárritu, Mary Parent, and Michael Sharp. His detail-oriented focus shapes every layer of Digger Rockwell: thick prosthetic work, tailored costuming, a rasping voice, and sharp, erratic physical mannerisms. Cruise calls the role the culmination of his four-decade career, while Iñárritu called his complete physical overhaul “astonishing.”

The newly released full trailer has only increased curiosity surrounding the project, revealing more of Cruise's transformation and an impressive ensemble that includes Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Emma D'Arcy, Sophie Wilde, and Michael Stuhlbarg. After years of seeing Cruise race against time as an action hero, Digger offers something considerably different: a strange, darkly comedic character study built around power, ego, catastrophe, and one man's frantic attempt to become the world's unlikely savior.

So what did Tom Cruise contribute behind the scenes, and how did his vision, passion, and precision as a producer help bring this unconventional film to life? Our latest Filmmaker Spotlight, “Tom Cruise, The Producer: The Vision, Passion, and Precision Behind Digger,” explores his involvement in the production, his remarkable transformation into Digger Rockwell, and the meticulous approach that continues to define his filmmaking career.

Read the complete Filmmaker Spotlight in the August 2026 Edition of The Nollywood Spotlight Insider.

Get the complete August Movie Guide on Amazon

Looking for a heartfelt Nollywood movie filled with romance, emotion, and relatable relationship challenges? After A Night In July is our Movie of the Month and a top selection for August.

In this installment of the After A Night In July series, the film continues the emotional story established in earlier chapters. It explores love, commitment, family expectations, and the tough choices couples face under unexpected pressure. Longtime followers can reconnect with familiar characters, while new viewers will find an engaging relationship drama.

Lead actors Uche Montana and Eso Dike drive the movie's appeal through natural on-screen chemistry and grounded performances.

Montana brings warmth and vulnerability to her role, making her character's choices feel deeply relatable. Dike anchors the story's dramatic weight, capturing the real-world pressures around love, family, and commitment. Together, they keep viewers invested from start to finish.

We awarded After A Night In July an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars for combining several key qualities:

• An engaging continuation of an established story

• Strong, natural performances from Uche Montana and Eso Dike

• Authentic romantic chemistry between the lead actors

• Relatable themes around love, family expectations, and commitment

• High audience appeal and strong engagement on YouTube

By presenting familiar relationship challenges with genuine heart, the film stands out as a memorable exploration of what it takes to protect a relationship when life gets complicated.

Skip the endless scrolling on YouTube. Download the free edition of The Nollywood Spotlight Insider to get the direct YouTube watch link for After A Night In July, along with handpicked recommendations, Spotlight Ratings, and direct Watch Now links for top Nigerian films.

👉 Download Your Free Nollywood Movie Guide Here

How many times have you sat down to watch a great Nollywood movie, only to spend 45 minutes scrolling YouTube and settling on something average? We built this to fix that exact problem.

We are excited to officially introduce the August 2026 Edition of The Nollywood Spotlight Insider—your monthly passport to discovering entertaining Nollywood movies, exciting new releases, trending favorites, and stories worth adding to your watchlist.

Every month, The Nollywood Spotlight Insider brings together carefully selected movies and entertainment discoveries in one convenient guide. Instead of scrolling endlessly through YouTube wondering what to watch next, you can open the Insider and start discovering films we've already selected for you.

The August edition features 24 handpicked Nollywood movies across romance, drama, comedy, family, psychological thrillers, and more. Each movie recommendation includes a Spotlight Rating, genre, a brief explanation of why we recommend it, and a direct Watch Now link so you can go straight from discovering a movie to enjoying it on YouTube.

You'll also find special sections dedicated to Movies Everyone Is Watching, featuring Nollywood movies attracting millions of views and thousands of comments, along with New Releases You May Have Missed for discovering fresh movies that deserve a place on your watchlist.

The Insider goes beyond movie recommendations. Our Exploring Nollywood section celebrates the stories, creativity, filmmakers, and performers helping Nigerian cinema reach audiences around the world.

This month's edition also includes our Actor Spotlight, featuring Aaron Pierre, and our Filmmaker Spotlight, featuring Tom Cruise as a producer on Digger. Plus, we've added interactive entertainment, including our Nollywood crossword and other features designed to make the Insider something you can explore—not simply read.

Want a test drive before grabbing the full guide? Download our free 14-page preview edition right now to sample top recommendations and special features.

👉 Download Your Free 14-Page Edition Here

If you enjoy the free edition, the complete August 2026 Edition of The Nollywood Spotlight Insider is available on Amazon. The full guide gives you the complete collection of movie recommendations, special features, spotlights, and entertainment discoveries we've curated for this month's issue.

24 movies. Fresh discoveries. One monthly guide.

Whether you've been watching Nollywood for years or you're just beginning to explore Nigerian cinema, The Nollywood Spotlight Insider is here to make discovering your next great movie easier.

Get started now: Download your Free 14-Page Preview or Grab the Full August Guide on Amazon.

— Rebeccah Worship
Chief Editor, The Nollywood Spotlight Insider
Nollywood Spotlight Media