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Dune

Play trailer 3:08 Poster for Dune PG-13 1984 2h 17m Sci-Fi Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
36% Tomatometer 117 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images, and powerful performances. The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast, including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar® winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting. This monumental Dino DeLaurentiis presentation is directed by David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Eraserhead), with photography by Academy Award® winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy® winner Toto, and incredible monster creation by E.T.'s Carlo Rambaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond time and space and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.
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Dune

Dune

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Critics Consensus

This truncated adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterwork is too dry to work as grand entertainment, but David Lynch's flair for the surreal gives Dune some spice.

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Critics Reviews

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Jay Scott Globe and Mail Oct 8, 2025
Never in Dune does Lynch encourage the audience to identify with the characters. Go to Full Review Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch Feb 15, 2024
The special effects are mediocre -- the miniatures look like miniatures, the sets look like sets, the matte paintings look like matte painting. And even the much dreaded sand worms are about as scary as Missouri night crawlers. Go to Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer Feb 14, 2024
Lynch's screenplay has all the vivacity of a Gregorian chant. Although his direction of individual scenes is inspired, Lynch the writer sabotages Lynch the filmmaker. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 10, 2026
1.5/4
As with many things lousy, this acquired a cult following over the years, but it’s hardly worthy. Go to Full Review Mike Studley Liverpool Echo Dec 8, 2025
A commendable attempt by director David Lynch. He has managed in the main to successfully condense Herbert's saga. Go to Full Review Jack Garner Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Feb 16, 2024
3/5
Ultimately, Dune is a most magnificent flying machine that can't quite get off the ground. But even if it can't fly, it's certainly impressive to look at on the runway. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ed Sep 24, 2024 Well done, but read the books first See more Lisa M Mar 4, 2024 One of my all time favorite films!!! See more April R Feb 21, 2024 It is a flawed masterpiece. But seeing in cinema was a mind bending experience!! See more Robert P @Superbad 6 days ago Frankly I liked this version over the new Dune! See more Elaine T @cheetosnickers Sep 6, 2026 I saw this when it first came out and hated it. So, after watching the updated versions and reading the first 2 books I watched it again and I can honestly say this movie still sucks. The plot is all over the place, no character development, no chemistry between Paul and Chani or Paul and Duncan Idaho. The dialog could have given more details about the plot with just conversations between the characters. The Baron was unnecessarily ugly and too much time was wasted on his "health habits" that were not in the book. He was fat. Period. The two mentats looked like they were rejected by HR Pufnsuf. So many actors that were well know at the time said "yes" to be in this. How? Even for an 80's movie it could have been way better. Gremlins, Romancing the Stone, Star Trek 3 the Search for Spock, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and The Terminator all came out THE SAME YEAR. There was no reason for this film to be this poorly done at all levels. See more Andrew T @RT72355796 Jul 22, 2026 This movie was unfortunately not good at all. The movie was significantly bigger than its budget, and the people who made this movie were simply not able to bring the world created by Frank Herbert to life. It was just a poorly done adaptation and they were simply not capable of doing what they wanted with the technology available to them at the time. Not only that, but they did significantly worse than other action/sci-fi movies of the same era. It was boring, and there are not many good things to say about it. Not worth watching but also not the worst movie ever made. 3/10 See more Read all reviews
Dune

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Cast & Crew

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David Lynch

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Paul Atreides

Sting

Feyd-Rautha

Francesca Annis

Lady Jessica

Leonardo Cimino

The Baron's Doctor

Brad Dourif

Piter DeVries

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Dune

Dune: Trailer 1 Dune: Trailer 1 3:08 Now Playing View more videos
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Dune

Space transports. Paul and Chani. Firing on a worm. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images, and powerful performances. The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast, including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar® winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting. This monumental Dino DeLaurentiis presentation is directed by David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Eraserhead), with photography by Academy Award® winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy® winner Toto, and incredible monster creation by E.T.'s Carlo Rambaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond time and space and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.
Director
David Lynch
Producer
Raffaella De Laurentiis
Screenwriter
Frank Herbert
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A., DeLaurentiis Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2014
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1), 70mm
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