movie which quickly became a cult film flop. This notoriety along with the COVID-19 pandemic and the simultaneous streaming release seemed to create the perfect storm for a subpar box office performance by the high-budget sci-fi epic.
Dune 2021, however, defied all expectations by establishing itself as both a streaming and cinema success. The movie has been praised for effectively capturing Herbert's world and story in a way that's manageable for the big screen while still remaining mostly true to the source material. That along with a truly stacked Dune cast and visually stunning landscapes helped the film rise to the occasion and exceed all expectations. When it was released, the prospect of a sequel was entirely dependent on the movie's performance, so it's a testament to the film's triumph that Dune 2 was confirmed by Warner Bros. just days after the premier.
The debate over cinematic releases co-existing with streaming platform premiers has been raging since almost the start of the pandemic, but Dune 2021 finally puts it to rest by proving that the two can exist symbiotically. The film was a hit in both theaters and on HBO Max, and it evidences exactly how the two platforms can one another and become mutually beneficial. The box office success of Villeneuve's Dune also bodes incredibly well for the future of movie theaters as society starts to make its way past the pandemic.
Dune Has Been A Box Office Success
Dune has proven itself as a box office success despite the pandemic, raking in solid numbers on the opening weekend. The project is financially on track to break even which is quite impressive in post-pandemic , especially for such a high-budget film. In fact, Dune opened with the Joker was released back in 2019 before COVID began. It led box offices during its opening weekend with a total 0f $40.1 million, making it not only the most successful opening weekend of Villeneuve's career but also the biggest of any movie released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. Dune stands as a clear testament that streaming availability doesn't necessarily detract from box office performance.
Dune Has Been A Streaming Hit For HBO Max
In addition to being a winner at the box office, Dune has also been a huge streaming hit for HBO Max. It's one of many Warner Bros. movies that premiered on the streaming platform in response to the pandemic, and while it wasn't quite the most streamed of the year, it still put up strong numbers. Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO Max, a prominent victory given that both films featured popular stories and star-studded casts, but the Snyder Cut's exclusive release on the streaming platform meant its numbers didn't have to compete with the theatrical experience. 1.9 million households reportedly streamed Dune from HBO Max on the opening weekend, clearly indicating that theatrical success also doesn't prevent streaming figures from thriving.
Why Dune Has Been A Success In Theaters & On Streaming
One of the primary reasons that Dune has been so successful on both platforms is its re-watch potential. It's a movie that's filled to the brim with deep-seated lore and complex world-building alongside all of the enjoyable action, so it easily bears a second viewing. Watching it for the first time on either platform also effectively promotes a second watch on the other. Someone who watches Dune online with HBO Max can clearly see how strongly the film demands a big-screen experience, particularly in IMAX or Dolby formats, a prospect that Warner Bros. pushed heavily in their marketing building up to the release.
Likewise, anyone who sees Dune on the big screen first will relish a re-watch, but likely won't want to go through the cost and hassle of going to the theater again and would prefer to see it from the comfort and convenience of their own home. Dune is singular for achieving this level of symbiosis in a post-pandemic film release, and it even helps to make the dense, complicated parts of adapting Herbert's story much more approachable since audiences can essentially get the best of both worlds: the stunning cinematic experience and the convenience to re-watch all or parts of the movie at their convenience.
What Dune's Success Means For Theaters & Streaming
Dune 2 will be theatrical only, so the WB/HBO Max model is probably not long for this world, but it still provides hope of positive changes going forward.
The fact that Denis Villeneuve's Dune, with all its success, is just that beacon.
