“Dune: Part Two” Set to Dominate Box Office with Massive Opening Weekend
The highly anticipated sequel to “Dune,” directed by Denis Villeneuve, is set to make a splash at the box office this weekend. Titled “Dune: Part Two,” the film is expected to have a massive opening weekend, with ticket sales flowing as freely as spice on the desert planet of Arrakis.
Warner Bros., the studio behind the sci-fi epic, is projecting a conservative start of $65 million, but most box office experts believe that revenues could reach as high as $90 million. Internationally, “Dune: Part Two” is expected to collect $80 million to $90 million from approximately 70 markets.
This film’s release comes at a crucial time for the movie industry, which has been struggling due to the ongoing pandemic. With revenues down roughly 18% from 2023, theaters are in desperate need of a boost. “Dune: Part Two” was originally scheduled to be released last fall but was delayed to spring due to an actors’ strike that prevented the cast, including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, from promoting the movie. Now, it arrives as a much-needed jolt for the industry.
Analysts predict that “Dune: Part Two” will surpass its predecessor in terms of ticket sales. The first installment, “Dune: Part One,” opened during the pandemic and earned $41 million while also being available on HBO Max. It went on to gross $402 million worldwide, making it one of the few financial successes from Warner Bros.’ hybrid release strategy during the COVID-19 era. However, industry experts believe that the film would have performed even better with an exclusive theatrical release. The sequel, co-produced and co-financed by Legendary Entertainment, had a budget of $190 million, not including marketing and other promotional efforts.
As the only major release this weekend, “Dune: Part Two” is expected to dominate Imax and Dolby screens. In fact, 50% of the domestic revenue for the first film came from premium large formats. The sequel also benefits from pent-up demand, as there haven’t been any major blockbusters in weeks. Additionally, the goodwill towards the original film is expected to carry over to the second chapter. However, the question remains whether “Dune: Part Two” will be able to expand its fanbase beyond sci-fi enthusiasts.
Based on the second half of Frank Herbert’s monumental book, “Dune 2” continues the mythic quest of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet. After his family is betrayed by powerful royals, Paul remains on the run, seeking safety in the desert. Joining the star-studded cast, which includes Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård, are Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken.
Early reception and word of mouth for “Dune: Part Two” have been positive. Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge praised the sequel as “a meaty, all-encompassing narrative,” while Los Angeles Times critic Joshua Rothkopf called it “an instant landmark of its genre.” These reviews bode well for the film’s success at the box office.
Ultimately, while positive reviews are important, what movie theaters truly want is to sell tickets. With its massive opening weekend projections and positive reception, “Dune: Part Two” is poised to help theaters achieve just that.
