‘Dune 2’ Eying $80M-Plus Opening Weekend

Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Dune: Part Two has wasted no time in proving its potential earning power at the box office.

Denis Villeneuve’s sequel — whose A-list cast is led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya — grossed $12 million in Thursday previews before officially opening everywhere across North America on Friday. That’s more than double the $5.1 million grossed in previews by Dune in 2021, although that movie was hobbled both by the pandemic and the decision to debut it simultaneously on the HBO Max (now known as simply Max).

Overall, it’s the strongest preview showing since Barbie racked in $22.3 million in July 2023. That same weekend, Oppenheimer started off with $10.5 million in previews on its way to a domestic debut of $82.5 million (Barbie rocketed to $162 million).

The preview gross includes $1 million tacked on from an earlier Imax fan event, while Imax screens turned in a huge $4.5 million of the total preview gross.

Dune 2 is also debuting in 71 markets overseas this weekend, and is likewise doing well in markets where it opened midweek.

Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested Dune 2 would launch domestically to $75 million. Warners, however, remained more conservative in sticking with $65 million domestically and $75 million overseas. Based on previews and Friday matinee business, rival box office observers should have no trouble opening in Oppeneheimer territory.

Some in Hollywood are even more bullish in predicting that the sci-fi epic, with a running time of two hours and 46 minutes, could even clear $90 million or $100 million domestically. Still, a lot could happen between now and Sunday, with Warner insiders suggesting a range of $70 million to $75 million, which would still be a big win for the sci-fi genre.

After enduring one of the worst early winters in years (outside of the pandemic), theaters are banking on the movie to usher in a steady stream of event fare that was delayed by last year’s labor strikes. Year-to-date, the box office is running 18 percent behind last year, and more than 38 percent behind 2019.

Theaters were none too happy when Legendary decided to delay the movie’s release from last fall to now so that Chalamet and Zendaya would be available to publicize the movie and help broaden out the audience (both have sway with younger viewers), but are certain to forgive and forget if Dune 2 becomes a water-cooler sensation.

The high-profile cast also includes series newcomers Austin Butler, Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken, joining Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista and Charlotte Rampling.

The long game, versus opening weekend, will be the true test for Villeneuve’s sequel in terms of solidifying a new franchise for Legendary. Villeneuve is keen on making one one more film, Dune: Messiah, while Warners has a spinoff series, Dune: Prophecy, due out on Max later this year.

Dune grossed more than $402 million at the worldwide box office — a solid and promising number considering the pressures of the pandemic and the day-and-date streaming release — but the filmmakers have far bigger expectations for the follow up.

March 1, 12:55 p.m.: Updated with revised weekend estimates.