The Spice Must Flow: Dune Pre-Sales Better Than No Time To Die and All Other 2021 Theatrical Releases

Image courtesy Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. can start feeling a bit better about their massive budgeted Dune release. The film is starting to look like it might not be the box office disaster that many have feared. This may even mean we'll get the second part that Denis Villeneuve and his crew are already beginning work on. Dune's presale tickets have already done better than all other major studio releases in 2021 including F9, No Time To Die, Black Widow, Shang-Chi and all others. This is a great sign and shows that the new version of the classic science fiction tale may end up being a financial success. 

As it stands, early reports are showing that the movie will take in roughly $70 million in its opening weekend just between the U.S. and Chinese markets. With other countries having an earlier opening, the film will most likely be at a global cumulative take of $200 million by the end of this weekend, which would surely be a great sign for WB and their partners. It is roughly estimated that Dune would need to make $300 million globally to make financial sense for a sequel. If it's two thirds of the way there by this coming Monday, Villeneuve will be most definitely get the license to move ahead. This would be a mild win for the studio if it can crack that marker, but it will most likely make well over that goal if it sees repeated viewings and strong viewership in the theater. 

Dune will also premiere on HBO Max tonight, but will only be available on streaming in the U.S.. All other markets across the world will only be given theatrical access to the latest iteration of the classic novel. 

-CG