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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 mean S @ApeFace Sep 23, 2026 Dune 1984 has become a Cult-Classic! The Director was commanded by the Study Bosses to cut out 2 hours of film to shorten this to 2 hours 14 minutes, but in spite of this Dune still captured the essence of the book. Please remember that the Dune Author, Frank Herbert was a paid consultant and was pleased with this film. Give it a watch! See more nick S @Nick_S Sep 20, 2026 Sets and costumes were great and it could have been a great steam punk sci fi. But I'm going to call a spade a spade. The screenplay and directing was terrible. I don't care how much the studio intervened... no changes could have saved it. The conversations were awkward and stagey, the flashbacks/forwards added unnecessary clutter that prevented a flowing story. And the amount of exposition was ridiculous. See more Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Sep 15, 2026 I went through a Lynch phase when I was a teenager. I sat through Twin Peaks multiple times. I saw everything from Eraserhead to Mulholland Drive. With middle age we pare away our pretensions, and you'd have to pay me to watch many a Lynch movie now, with one exception: Dune. I know, I know, but I promise you, some people love Dune 1984. It has a stellar cast, and superb talent behind the camera likewise. I think the choice of Toto for the music was, by and large, inspired. Brian Eno contributed the amazing Prophecy Theme. Dune of 1984 got a bad reception from critics, and lots of lazy people merely regurgitate that critical consensus, but the truth is there were dissenting voices even then, brave loners who spoke up for the movie. Given the fact that many movies later got a new director's cut edition, it's a tragedy that Lynch never got the chance to re-edit Dune into a longer version. But as it is, when it's good it's brilliant, and when bad, it's funny. It's always fun. 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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