Dune: Part Two Has Already Made More Money Than Dune At The Box Office
BY RYAN SCOTT/MARCH 18, 2024 1:45 PM EST
"Dune: Part Two" continues its momentum at the global box office and has now overtaken 2021's "Dune" movie, becoming Denis Villeneuve's sequel likely to make between 1.5-2 times as much, providing Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures with great news for future sequels in their franchise trilogy from Villeneuve - not to mention fans hoping he completes it before too long - all signs point towards them giving an okay for another one!
"Dune: Part Two" came in second this weekend after "Kung Fu Panda 4," grossing another $28.5 million domestically during its third weekend of release. Only dropping 38% compared to its opening weekend performance is impressive for such an ambitious film as this. At $494.1 million worldwide gross so far it should surpass that milestone mark before Tuesday; being 2024's highest grossing film by some margin.
Villeneuve's original "Dune" film earned just under $400 million during its original run, even while being hit hard by pandemic influenza. Warner Bros released it simultaneously on HBO Max and theaters around the U.S. However, even at such an advantage to its sequel "Part Two", "Dune" still managed to become an unexpected success and become an ever-increasing global success; thanks to numerous people streaming and/or purchasing it again later. As part of preparing viewers for its return release earlier this year to prepare "Part Two", more than $30 million was generated globally from which brought total film total running total up to $431 Million globally!
The Spice continues to flow for Dune
Attribute some of that re-release money directly to "Part Two," as audiences were clearly eager to see what Villeneuve came up with next. Timothee Chalamet has only become more beloved since "Wonka" first hit theaters; "Wonka" continues raking in millions every year after passing $600 million recently - no doubt due to Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya as movie stars drawing audiences; also Florence Pugh and Austin Butler for which Villeneuve deserves much credit as much.
Villeneuve has already stated his intent of adapting "Dune Messiah," the second book from Herbert in this trilogy, but given its time jump between books one and two he may wish to wait some years after filming "Call of Arrakis." That gives him enough time for other projects while his cast matures - like when James Wan made "Malignant" between Aquaman movies such as Aquaman vs the Lost Kingdom."
At its current pace, "Dune 2" should easily cross $600 million worldwide before its final tally comes due, more than enough for Warner Bros. and Legendary to meet their objectives despite its $190 million budget. All signs point toward them officially revealing "Messiah". Let the Spice flow!
Now showing in theaters nationwide is "Dune: Part Two".