Dune is heading to Netflix very soon, and its arrival would’ve been perfect but for one issue
Fear is the mind-killer – and so are film delays
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Dune, one of the best sci-fi movies of 2021, is set to join Netflix’s movie library in October.
Revealed on the official Netflix X (formerly Twitter) account, the Denis Villeneuve-directed sci-fi epic will land on the world’sbest streaming serviceon Sunday, October 1. That means that, at the time of writing,Dunewill emerge from Arrakis' sand-covered world in just five days' time.
The spice must flow. Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE is coming October 1. pic.twitter.com/ugGk5LxuBWSeptember 26, 2023
It’ll come as no surprise to anyone thatDunewill be one of the latest entries in ourbest Netflix movieslist when it worms its way onto the streaming giant, either. In ourDunereview, we called it an “absorbing, a visually arresting sci-fi epic”, albeit one with one major narrative flaw. It seemed plenty of film fans agreed with us, too, withDuneearning over $400 million globally upon release. The Timothée Chalamet-starring flick enjoyed further success on the 2022 awards circuit, with the Warner Bros.-developed movie racking up 87 wins at various ceremonies, including six Oscars.
Until now,Dunehad been available on select streamers based on where you live, too. In the US, it was only viewable onMax, Warner Bros. Discovery’s primary streaming service. Meanwhile, UK and Australian viewers had to go toPrime Videoand Foxtel, respectively, to catch it. Now, it seems likeNetflixwill become the go-to place to watchDune– unless it’s a Netflix US exclusive – for fans of the terrific science fiction movie.
A near-perfect Netflix debut
Dune’s surprise addition to Netflix’s back catalog was oh-so-nearly perfect, too. Given its critical, commercial, and award-winning success, a sequel seemed like a certainty. Thankfully, it didn’t take long forWarner Bros. to confirm thatDune Part Twowould arrive on November 3, 2023. Days later,one of the first film’s producers revealed it would begin shooting in July 2022.
After various new casting reveals, including theaddition of a great Marvel star toDune 2’s A-list ensembleand aninspired acting choice for the next movie’s new villain, principal photography got underway last summer. Filming wrapped in December 2022 and, following the arrival ofDune Part Two’s first trailer, which teased thrills, spills, and Chalamet’s Paul Atreides riding one of the franchise’s iconic sandworms, it seemed certain that the movie would meet its November 2023 release date.
Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. One of the most highly anticipatednew moviesof the year,Dune Part Twowas delayed until March 2024, with Warner Bros. citing Hollywood’s writers and actors strikes as a major reason behind its launch being pushed back. Thankfully,the writers' strike seems like it’s finally drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean the movie will be moved back up to its original release slot. Indeed, until the actors' strike is also resolved,Dune Part Two’s cast won’t be able to promote it as part of the industrial action’s rules. It’s in Warner Bros.' best interests, then, to keep it in its current early 2024 slot.
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IfDune Part Twowas still set to launch this November,Dune’s Netflix debut couldn’t have been timed better. It would’ve enabled fans to rewatch the awe-inspiring movie before going to watch its sequel in theaters worldwide or, for those who missed it the first time around, stream it to see what all the fuss is about before, well, going to watch its sequel on the biggest screen possible. Still, if you’re not in the mood for the sheer gamut of horror films set to land on streamers everywhere when spooky season officially rolls around, we suggest stickingDuneon Netflix. You won’t regret it.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
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