Viewers who haven’t had the chance to see both Dune and Dune: Part Two now have the perfect opportunity to do just that on Netflix. Directed by visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario), both of the recent Dune films hit Netflix for the first time ever on January 1, 2024. Both films have been available to stream for HBO and MAX subscribers but this marks a first for Dune content on Netflix. Additionally, the 1984 version of Dune directed by David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive), and the new prequel series Dune: Prophecy are also streaming on MAX.
Dune and Dune: Part Two are collectively an adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. The story follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, who moves to the desert planet Arrakis with his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Issac), and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) after Leto is called upon by Emperor Corrino (Christopher Walken) to oversee spice production on the “Dune” planet. Spice is a valuable, even magical, substance with various intergalactic and spiritual properties, whcih makes it one of the most valuable resources within the Imperium.
Dune Parts One & Two Are Both On Netflix, But Part One Is Leaving Soon
Part One leaves Netflix at the end of January 2025
Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two are streaming now on Netflix. However, this is only for a limited time, as Dune: Part One will be leaving Netflix at the end of January 2025. The first Dune film has been available on Netflix for several months, while Dune: Part Two only just joined the giant streaming platform at the beginning of the new year. While Dune: Part One will likely still be available to stream on HBO and MAX after January 31, 2025, it will no longer be available to stream on Netflix after that date. This means that non-HBO or MAX subscribers should check out the 2021 action sci-fi epic while they still can.
Since arriving on Netflix on January 1, 2025, Dune: Part Two has been one of the most popular movies on the platform. The film was released in theaters back on March 1, 2024, and is currently gearing up for the upcoming Oscars 2025 race. Dune: Part Two is projected to be nominated in numerous categories, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and numerous other technical awards. Dune: Part One was nominated for 10 Oscars and won a total of six. Given that Dune: Part Two received even higher praise from critics than Dune: Part One, Dune: Part Two should earn just as, if not more, nominations.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Is A Space Opera Epic For The Ages
Dune is praised for technical achievements, world-building, and strong hero story
While they are two individual films, Dune: Part One and Part Two are companion pieces meant to be watched in close succession. Dune: Part Two picks up right where Part One left off, which makes sense since it’s a continuation of the first half of the celebrated novel. By comparison, Lynch’s movie attempted to encapsulate the entirety of the Dune novel in one film, which was a daunting task from the start. Many believed that Dune was a mostly unfilmable novel given its scope and scale. However, in the hands of the right filmmaker like Villeneuve, Dune has been brought to life in glorious and riveting ways.
Critics praise Dune: Part Two for its technical achievements, outstanding world-building, and strong heroic revenge story. Peter Travers of ABC News writes, “The year’s first surefire blockbuster is a sequel that outdoes Denis Villeneuve’s first epic 2021 sand opera. Chalamet and Zendaya are destiny-kissed lovers to die for, and the thundering spectacle is off the charts.” Kyle Smith of The Wall Street Journal writes, “Instead of a theme park, it’s more of a cathedral — solemn, sober, beautiful and forbidding. Greig Fraser’s photography and Hans Zimmer’s score are full of majesty.”
Why Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Is Better Than The 1984 Version (& Maybe Even The Book)
The films offer a highly polished and visually mesmerizing refinement of Herbert’s novel
Frank Herbert’s novel is a masterpiece that is, believe it or not, loaded with even more context and supplementary information than both of Villeneuve’s movies combined. The films offer a highly polished and visually mesmerizing refinement of Herbert’s novel, which is rich and complex. It features many peaks into the inner minds of the characters, which naturally makes it difficult to adapt cinematically and makes Villeneuve’s achievements even more impressive. The Lynch film certainly holds its place in film history and in many Dune fans’ hearts, but it simply cannot compete with the technological might and exceptional craftsmanship of the recent Dune films.
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
- Release Date
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February 27, 2024
- Runtime
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167 minutes
- Cast
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Timothée Chalamet
, Zendaya
, Rebecca Ferguson
, Javier Bardem
, Josh Brolin
, Austin Butler
, Florence Pugh
, Dave Bautista
, Christopher Walken
, Lea Seydoux
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Charlotte Rampling
, Souheila Yacoub
, Roger Yuan
, Babs Olusanmokun
, Giusi Merli
, Kait Tenison
, Tara Breathnach
, Akiko Hitomi
, Imola Gáspár
, Elbooz Omar Ahmed Fathie
, Abdelkarim Hussein Seli Mohamed Hassanin
, Joseph Beddelem
, Xavier Alba Royo
, Rachid Abbad - Character(s)
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Paul Atreides
, Chani
, Jessica
, Stilgar
, Gurney Halleck
, Feyd-Rautha
, Princess Irulan
, Beast Rabban
, Emperor
, Lady Margot Fenring
, Baron Harkonnen
, Reverend Mother Mohiam
, Shishakli
, Lanville
, Jamis
, Reverend Mother Ramallo
, Bene Gesserit Sister
, Watermaster
, Young Fremen Patrol
, Fedaykin Leader
, Fedaykin - Budget
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$122 Million
- Studio(s)
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Legendary Pictures
- Distributor(s)
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Warner Bros. Pictures