Dune: Part 2 has surpassed the entire run of the first movie at the global box office, as Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi sequel nears $500 million in ticket sales.
As it was written... by Variety, the sequel to the 2021 movie Dune continues to kick up a sandstorm at the box office, with earnings currently totalling $494.7 million globally, which means the $500 million mark is now within reach. Meanwhile, Dune: Part 1 grossed $433 million worldwide during its entire theatrical run.
However, the first movie in the two-part epic was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, possibly stifling sales as people could watch the first installment at home instead of buying a ticket. Villeneuve raised concerns about the hybrid release, believing that the movie wouldn't have the chance to perform financially.
Dune: Part 2 adapts the second half of Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi novel, exploring the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, but Villeneuve's sequel stays loyal to the book by changing it.
The movie has demonstrated remarkable staying power at the box office after getting off to a roaring start in its opening weekend, collecting $81.5 million in its U.S. debut and an additional $97 million internationally to push its global tally to a mighty $178 million (against a production budget of $190 million) right from the outset.
Villeneuve has already said he wants to make a Dune: Part 3 based on Dune Messiah, and the script for that film was near-finished in December.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
