This weekend, movie theaters are poised for a surge in ticket sales akin to the flow of spice on the desert planet of Arrakis.
Director Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel, “Dune: Part Two,” where “spice” reigns supreme, is eyeing an impressive $70 million to $80 million opening weekend. While Warner Bros., the studio behind the sci-fi epic, conservatively projects a $65 million start, industry experts anticipate revenues nearing the $90 million mark. Internationally, the sequel to 2021’s “Dune” is anticipated to amass $80 million to $90 million across approximately 70 markets.
Regardless of the final tally, “Dune: Part Two” promises to inject a much-needed boost into the struggling movie theater industry. Originally slated for release last fall, the film was postponed to spring due to an actors’ strike, preventing stars like Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya from promoting the movie. Its arrival comes amidst a challenging period for the industry, with revenues down approximately 18% from 2023. According to current estimates, the sequel is poised to deliver the biggest opening weekend since October’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s” ($80 million).
Anticipation is high for “Dune: Part Two” to surpass its predecessor, which opened during the pandemic to $41 million while simultaneously premiering on HBO Max. “Dune: Part One” concluded its theatrical run with $402 million worldwide, emerging as one of the few successes from the studio’s COVID-era hybrid release strategy. However, analysts believe the original would have achieved even greater success with an exclusive theatrical release. Produced and financed in partnership with Legendary Entertainment, the sequel boasts a budget of $190 million, excluding extensive marketing and global promotional expenses.
As the sole new release this weekend, “Part Two” is poised to dominate Imax and Dolby screens. For “Part One,” 50% of domestic revenue stemmed from premium large formats. The film is expected to benefit from pent-up demand (amid a dearth of blockbusters in recent weeks) and favorable reception towards its predecessor. The sequel, adapted from the latter half of Frank Herbert’s monumental novel, follows the epic journey of Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he navigates betrayal and seeks refuge in the desert. Joining the stellar cast are Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken alongside Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with Variety’s Peter Debruge hailing the sequel as “a substantial, all-encompassing narrative,” and Joshua Rothkopf of the Los Angeles Times dubbing it “an instant landmark of its genre.”
While critical acclaim is favorable, the ultimate test lies in ticket sales, and “Dune: Part Two” is poised to deliver in that regard.
