Dune, the classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, is getting a new major motion picture adaptation. Directed by Denis Villenueve, the movie stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Javiar Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, and more big stars. It's one of the biggest movies of the year, so read on to find out when it's out, where you can watch it, and if it's any good.
Dune Release Date and Time
Dune is officially scheduled to release October 22, 2021, though it's actually available to watch earlier. Theater showtimes will start the evening of October 21, and it will be available to stream on HBO Max October 21 at 6:01 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch Dune
Anyone who wants to watch Dune has two options. One is head to your local theater, as usual. But like all of Warner Bros. 2021 movie releases, Dune is also available to stream on HBO Max on day one. It will be available on the service for 31 days. The only potential hitch is that you need to have an ad-free membership to watch it.
The ad-free tier of HBO Max costs $14.99 per month. You can cancel your subscription at any time, though it's worth noting the rest of the 2021 Warner Bros. movies will also be available the same day as their theatrical release, including The Matrix Resurrection.
If you want to head to the theater to see Dune on the big screen, you can see showtimes below.
Dune Trailer
What is Dune?
Dune is a new adaptation of the classic 1965 sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, which won both the Hugo Award and the Nebula award. It's a story about Paul Atreides (played by Chalamet in the film), whose family moves to take control of Arrakis, a desert planet that's rich with a valuable spice called melange. Almost at once, a series of Game of Thrones-like political machinations ensue, bringing upheaval to the Atreides family and all of Arrakis itself.
How Long is Dune?
Dune is 2 hours and 35 minutes long.
What is Dune Rated?
Dune is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for "sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material."
Is Dune Good?
Dune has gotten a mostly positive critical reception, earning it, at the time of this writing, an 86 on Rotten Tomatoes and a 77 on Metacritic. Our own critic gave it a 7 out of 10, writing, "This is a technically brilliant, visually amazing movie with a top-notch cast and deep sci-fi concepts. A shame, then, that it feels like a drag in its back half." Check out our Dune review for more information.
Warner Bros. Movies Coming to HBO Max in 2021
- The Many Saints of Newark – October 1, 2021 (available through October 31)
- Dune – October 22, 2021
- King Richard – November 19, 2021
- Matrix 4 – December 22, 2021
Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.