Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Dune: Half Two has delivered on its promise to reenergize the field workplace after a horrible early winter.
Denis Villeneuve’s sequel — sporting an A-list forged led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya — opened to an estimated $81.5 million in North America this weekend, double the primary movie and the most important opening of the yr so far.
Dune 2 is likewise whipping up a sandstorm abroad, the place it opened to $97 million from 71 markets for a world begin of $178.5 million. (It doesn’t land in China till subsequent weekend and Japan the week after that.) Sci-fi will be a tricky promote in sure areas, together with some Latin American markets, however Europe and different areas greater than made up for any gaps. The U.Okay. led with $11.5 million, adopted by France ($9.3 million) and Germany ($8.4 million).
The movie additionally did enormous enterprise in Imax theaters, which delivered $32.2 million of the full world gross, or a notable 18 %. In 10 markets, Imax loved its largest opening ever. Like his buddy Christopher Nolan, Villeneuve shot a part of the film with Imax cameras.
All through the weekend, Warner Bros. tried to handle expectations and recommended Dune 2 would debut extra within the $72 million to $75 million vary. The sci-fi style generally is a powerful promote, and Villeneuve’s movies runs two hours and 46 minutes. Additionally, many needed to see Dune in Imax and different premium codecs.
Dune 2’s secret sauce? A glowing A CinemaScore, in comparison with an A- for the primary, stellar critiques and, once more, glowing viewers exit scores.
Heading into the weekend, monitoring mentioned Dune 2 would launch domestically to $74 million. Warner Bros., nevertheless, remained extra conservative in sticking with $65 million domestically and $75 million abroad.
After enduring one of many worst early winters in years (exterior of the pandemic), theaters are banking on the film to usher in a gentle stream of occasion fare that was delayed by final yr’s labor strikes.
Theaters had been sad when Legendary determined to delay the film’s launch from final fall to now in order that Chalamet and Zendaya could be obtainable to publicize the movie and assist broaden the viewers (each have sway with youthful viewers). And, there’s little question Chalamet’s efficiency in Warner Bros.’ vacation winner Wonka helped as properly.
The high-profile forged additionally contains sequence newcomers Austin Butler, Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken, becoming a member of Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista and Charlotte Rampling.
The lengthy sport, versus opening weekend, would be the true take a look at for Villeneuve’s sequel by way of solidifying a brand new franchise for Legendary. Villeneuve is eager on making one another movie, Dune: Messiah, whereas Warners has a by-product sequence, Dune: Prophecy, due out on Max later this yr.
Dune grossed greater than $402 million on the worldwide field workplace in 2021 — a stable and promising quantity contemplating the pressures of the pandemic and the movie’s day-and-date streaming launch — however the filmmakers have far larger expectations for the comply with up.
Dune 2‘s Thursday preview variety of $12 million was additionally greater than double the $5.1 million grossed in previews by Dune in 2021, though that film was hobbled each by the pandemic and the choice to debut it concurrently on HBO Max (now often called merely Max). General, was the strongest preview displaying since Barbie racked up $22.3 million in July 2023. That very same weekend, Oppenheimer began off with $10.5 million in previews on its approach to a home debut of $82.5 million (Barbie rocketed to $162 million). The preview gross contains $1 million tacked on from an earlier Imax fan occasion.
Whereas Dune 2 took up many of the consideration, there was enterprise available.
Elsewhere, Paramount’s biopic Bob Marley: One Love dropped simply 45 % in its second weekend to $7.4 million for an early home complete of $82.8 million. Abroad, it’s singing loudly, grossing $63.3 million so far for a world tally of $146.1 million.
Lionsgate’s faith-based pic Unusual Angels adopted in third place with $3.8 million for a 10-day home complete of $12.6 million. One other faith-based providing, The Chosen, additionally continued to impress. Fathom is previewing season 5 in theaters earlier than it airs within the house, and this weekend’s providing of episodes 7 an 8 introduced in $3.15 million for a operating complete north of $23 million.
Sony’s doomed Madame Internet barely beat The Chosen with $2 million. The superhero pic’s home gross is simply north of $44 million.
March 1, 12:55 p.m. Up to date with revised weekend estimates. March 2, 7:30 a.m. Up to date with revised weekend estimates. March 3, 8a.m. Up to date with revised weekend estimates.
This story was initially revealed on March 1 at 8:48 a.m.
