The upcoming release of Dune: Part Three has been met with excitement, but a new update could spell bad news for its potential box office. IMAX’s latest investor presentation lists both films as premiering on December 18, 2026 – the same day. This shared release date could limit revenue for both movies due to limited available IMAX screens.
In general, when two big movies are released at the same time, they often split the available screens, leading to less revenue for each film. For example, The Running Man was pushed back a week after Predator: Badlands’ success to secure more IMAX showings. Dune: Part Three is expected to perform well in IMAX due to its director’s use of the format. However, Avengers: Doomsday might still draw viewers who prioritize seeing it as soon as possible in any format, reducing revenue for both films.
To avoid this issue, one movie should consider moving their release date. With similar target demographics and a lucrative holiday season ahead, it makes sense to give each film separate slots on the calendar. If they’re not shifted, Disney and Warner Bros. will be relying on another highly anticipated event – the Barbenheimer effect – to drive box office success.
Source: https://comicbook.com/movies/news/715m-sci-fi-masterpieces-sequel-gets-release-update-thats-a-major-threat-to-its-box-office-its-bad-for-marvel-too