“Dune: Part Two” is giving the box office a much-needed jolt

This weekend, US moviegoers flocked to the box office like sandworms to thumpers.

Dune: Part Two pulled in an expectations-exceeding $81.5 million in its domestic debut, good for the biggest opening weekend of the year as well as the largest since last October’s Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film ($93 million). At the international box office, the Zendaya- and- Timothée Chalamet-led sequel added $97 million to bring its global tally to $178 million.

Premium formats ruled Arrakis the movie theater

Showings across IMAX, Dolby Cinema, PLFs, 70mm, and motion seating drove 48% of the film’s domestic box office total.

• IMAX specifically accounted for $18.5 million of domestic ticket sales, representing 23% of the box office total.
• Globally IMAX also stood on business😤, driving 18% of the film’s total gross. In 10 markets, IMAX enjoyed its biggest opening ever.
• Demand to watch Dune: Part Two on 70mm film – director Denis Villenueve’s format of choice – has been so high that some have resorted to 3:15 am showtimes.

The box office needed a jolt. Prior to this weekend, domestic box office revenues were 20% behind the same period in 2023. But after the arrival of Dune: Part Two, that gap sits at 13.5%, according to Comscore.