Are the Dune Films Destined to be the Next Lord of the Rings?

There is a very good chance that Dune 3 will end up being the biggest movie of 2026 – though I’m sure The Odyssey and Avengers: Doomsday will have something to say about that.

The hype for Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy-closer is huge, especially after the release of that stunning first trailer. He then went and topped that with the second trailer, which wowed movie fans with all of its near-Technicolor glory.

Frank Herbert’s classic novel was supposed to be impossible to translate to film successfully – as David Lynch found out the hard way – and yet, Villeneuve has managed it, and then some. Now, he’s tackling the even wilder story of ‘Dune Messiah’, and if he pulls this off, we will be looking at a truly generational cinematic triumph.

We already predict Dune 3 will be a major player at The Oscars 2027, and it could well break a bit of an Academy curse for Villeneuve. Perhaps, just like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won 11 Oscars, this will be a victory lap for the whole trilogy rather than one single film. 

Both are grandiose, fantastical epics adapted from revered and complex novels. Both are impeccably-made, astounding technical feats of filmmaking. But, just how similar are the two franchises? And can Dune actually live up to the high standards set by Peter Jackson’s legendary trilogy?

Can Timothée Chalamet Match the Cultural Impact of LOTR?

In the 2020s, there are few films that have garnered the mass appeal and memeability of Dune, which is odd, really, considering they’re centered around a genocidal, angsty teen with a god complex. But, that’s the star power of Timothée Chalamet for you.

The trailer drop for Dune 3 sparked a flurry of Chalamet jokes in the wake of his loss at the Oscars. Meanwhile, his role as the Lisan al-Gaib spawned perhaps the funniest meme of them all, with Javier Bardem’s stunning line reading being employed any time someone manages to make a successful prediction these days.

Still, there are ample quotes and movie moments from The Lord of the Rings that have cemented themselves in the lexicon of modern culture. 25 years later, Sean Bean’s “One does not simply…” line can be copied and pasted into any conversation, while Pippin and Merry’s demand for a second breakfast is something we can all get behind.

Beyond social media trends, though, can we really claim that Dune has reached the levels of The Lord of the Rings? It feels as though everyone – and I mean, everyone – has watched the latter, whether they care for fantasy movies or not. I wouldn’t say the same about Dune… yet.

Maybe, eventually, Dune will truly transcend the genre. But The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring wasted no time in achieving that when it was first released in 2001. It says it all that Dune 3 might not even be the biggest film of this year, while Jackson’s work is still regarded as some of the most resoundingly popular of the 21st century.

Who is Technically Better, Peter Jackson or Denis Villeneuve?

Perhaps the most difficult aspect to judge the two franchises on is in the technical department. In the early 2000s, no other films could hold a candle to The Lord of the Rings when it comes to visuals, CGI, and musical score. I’d argue the same applies to Dune, now.

Most notably, The Lord of the Rings set the benchmark for motion capture performance, with Andy Serkis being something of a pioneer of the technology in his role as Gollum. Throw in the incredible make-up and prosthetics for the Orcs, some very clever green screen tricks, and that rousing music from Howard Shore, and it’s easy to see why these movies are regarded as genuine masterpieces.

However, even with the caveat that Dune benefits from 20 years of technological advancement, I would still say Villeneuve's movies are the more impressive technical feat. When you watch The Lord of the Rings, you still kinda know you’re watching a very magical movie, but with Dune, you really do feel like you’re on another planet.

Capturing the various landscapes, vehicles, and even showing us the depths of space, Villeneuve and his team have knocked it out of the park when it comes to production design and cinematography – especially when you feast on those glorious IMAX sequences. Meanwhile, Hans Zimmer’s inventive approach to scoring the films using unique voice work and obscure instruments is incredibly effective. 

Just because something is as groundbreaking as The Lord of the Rings, that doesn’t mean we should ignore the fact that something newer and shinier has come along and raised the bar. Even in relative terms, the Dune trilogy is an astounding display of filmmaking of the highest order.

Is Star Power a Problem for Dune?

Some would say that The Lord of the Rings worked because it employed lesser known actors in key roles. Indeed, the four Hobbits at the heart of the tale – Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan – were not exactly superstars when they took on their roles. But, they were after the films took off.

It’s worth noting, though, that The Lord of the Rings did also rely on Sir Ian McKellen and the late, great, Christopher Lee, as well as industry icons like Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, and Orlando Bloom. It’s not like Jackson was starved of star quality.

Meanwhile, the Dune franchise has leaned on absolute A-listers from the get-go. We’ve talked about Chalamet already, a young man who might just be the biggest movie star of his generation. He’s had help from the likes of Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh, who are all key players in the industry right now.

Villeneuve has also found roles for esteemed actors like Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, Stellan Skarsgård, and Charlotte Rampling, while even Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, and Rebecca Ferguson are talents that cannot be sniffed at.

But, does this make the Dune movies any less immersive? I wouldn’t say so. There is something special about watching the very best actors putting in impeccable work in movies like this. It doesn’t matter how big a name they are, if they’re compelling enough, you’ll soon forget you’re watching someone act.

The Lord of the Rings is the King of the Box-Office

It’s rather reductive to pit films against one another in terms of box-office success. How much profit a movie makes does not always dictate whether it’s actually any good, but it’s still an interesting and insightful factor that we should consider.

If money rules everything, there’s only one winner here. The Fellowship of the Rings has grossed just over $897m worldwide over the years. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers performed better, though, raking in $923m globally. However, it’s The Return of the King that was the crowning glory, not just with the Academy, but also at the box-office. That trilogy-closer has now amassed over $1.12bn in its lifespan.

That’s a grand total of $2.94bn (as per Box Office Mojo). We should note, however, The Lord of the Rings movies have enjoyed multiple re-releases over the past 25 years, so maybe that franchise has an unfair advantage. But, hey, money talks!

As for Dune, the first movie only made $410m globally. Not bad, but not the kind of performance to set the world alight. However, Dune 2 fared much better, bringing in just under $715m in its theatrical run. That puts the franchise roughly on par with The Return of the King alone, so it would take a monster effort from Dune 3 to bring some parity to proceedings.

That said, we are in line for one of the biggest years ever at the box-office according to Variety. Dune 3 will certainly be among the big-hitters in 2026, and it is certainly expected to surpass its predecessor – crossing the $1bn mark is not beyond the realms of possibility, either.

The proof will be in the pudding, but how the film performs in terms of ticket sales, or indeed at the Oscars next year, will not be the defining factor behind the legacy of the Dune franchise. These are films that have mesmerised audiences on a grand scale, and I’ve no doubt they will stand the test of time just like The Lord of the Rings.