“Dune: Part Two” is on its way to hitting a new box office record.
The sequel to the science-fiction hit, directed by Denis Villeneuve, has already raked in $494.7 million worldwide. This impressive sum includes $208 million from North America and $289.4 million from international markets. By Monday, it’s expected to break the $500 million barrier, a feat few films have managed in the post-pandemic era. As of now, “Dune 2” stands as the top-grossing film of 2024, both domestically and globally.
Just 10 days after its release, “Part Two” has outperformed the total domestic earnings of its predecessor, which were $108 million. However, it’s important to note that the first “Dune” film faced unique challenges. It was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, which impacted its box office performance. Despite these obstacles, the sequel has now surpassed the original, which earned $433 million worldwide.
Internationally, “Dune: Part Two” has seen its highest earnings in China, with $36 million, followed by the U.K. at $32.8 million, Germany at $25 million, France at $24.9 million, and Australia at $15.6 million.
The sequel has benefited from positive word-of-mouth and a strong interest in premium viewing formats. Over one weekend, it earned more than $100 million from Imax screenings alone, making it the seventh-fastest film to achieve this milestone.
The production of “Dune: Part Two” was a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment. The film had a production budget of $190 million, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing to a global audience. Despite these significant costs, the film has proven to be a financial success.
The story of “Dune: Part Two” picks up from the second half of Frank Herbert’s iconic 1965 novel. It follows the journey of Timothée Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, as he navigates dangers in the desert, seeking refuge after his family is betrayed by powerful royals. The film features a star-studded cast including Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgård.