Dune is a highly anticipated sci-fi remake that is set to feature a star-studded cast and incredible visuals. With some time before its release, however, there are countless other cinema classics to check out to prepare for what Dune may offer audiences.
Whether it's a standout movie in the genre, a film that boasts some of the same cast or crew or is thematically very similar, or perhaps an underrated gem, these movies all offer something different in the search for a great Dune comparison. Each project should get audiences excited for Dune in a different way, as the countdown to its debut continues.
Dune (1984) - Available On HBO Max
With a complex set of behind-the-scenes stories and a final result that's both visionary and ahead of its time, thanks to the production, the original Dune is really a cult classic. Of course, the 2021 iteration is a reboot of this original, which in itself is an adaptation of the popular sci-fi fiction novel.
Dune is a heavyweight of the genre and one that has its influences felt throughout science fiction today. There's no better place to start than by watching the original, which, judging by the trailers, actually shares plenty of shots, with a modern take on the franchise.
Blade Runner (1982) - Available To Rent On Apple TV, Amazon Prime & More
Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner was an adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's work in its own right and demonstrated that sci-fi fiction can really work in a blockbuster setting. It's a vital piece of cinema history, with its strong aesthetic and cyberpunk tones certainly aiding in its longevity.
Featuring a fantastic cast with Harrison Ford in the lead, Blade Runner juggled a number of complex themes surrounding what it really means to be human. The various cuts of the film have also made their way into film legend and fans will continue to debate over which is the superior version. Its influence may have even extended to the original Dune itself.
Blade Runner: 2049 (2017) - Available On HBO Max
Blade Runner: 2049 is an incredibly important film in many ways. As a sequel and reimagining of the Blade Runner world, fans of Dune will be able to see how a classic sci-fi hit can be brought into the modern world, using up-to-date technology to fully bring the vision to life.
What's more, fans of 2049 will know that Dune is in safe hands, as both pictures share the same director. The work of the visionary Denis Villeneuve is on full display in the Blade Runner sequel, demonstrating that he can match the tone of the original and bring a number of fresh ideas to the table.
Star Wars (1977) - Available On Disney+
No production has been arguably more influential to the industry as a whole than George Lucas's Star Wars. With cinemas selling out due to the immediate impact of the film, the original installment still remains one of the best in the franchise and is incredibly ground-breaking.
With the use of computer technology, miniatures, incredible prop design, and unique worldbuilding, it's hard to argue against the fact that the original Dune might never have been made without the work of Lucas and the team. It's a great project to excite anyone about a return to a classic sci-fi world.
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (2017) - Available On FuboTV, DIRECTV & Spectrum On Demand
With the talented Luc Besson behind the camera, this project brought together an interesting array of talents, who all shared the same vision for this quirky and cult hit, and some fascinating behind-the-scenes facts. Although it performed poorly at the time, the film has since built a following not too dissimilar to Dune itself.
Underrated in many ways, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets carried with it a number of big ideas and visually tried to set itself apart. The adaptation of the little-known French comic book series could hold a lot of lessons for Dune about modern takes on established literature.
Arrival (2016) - Available On Hulu, DIRECTV, Paramount+ & More
Another well-respected story from Denis Villeneuve, Arrival is notably all about the performances at the heart of the picture. The cast is superb and carries these complicated linguistic techniques and concepts to an audience perhaps not familiar with the field of research.
The project demonstrates its originality in numerous ways, including the use of time, the design of the alien visitors, and the obvious departure from the traditions of the genre. This film, once again, showcases the cinematic eye of Villeneuve as well!
Ender's Game (2013) - Available On FuboTV, AMC+ & PlutoTV
Ender's Game is another adaptation of well-known literature and caught audiences by surprise upon its release. Despite its great reception, it may have commercially underperformed. Regardless, it's still a well-regarded addition to the science fiction library that cinema continues to build.
What's so intriguing about Ender's Game is its twists and turns, as audiences struggle themselves to unpick what's truly going on behind the scenes. The moral implications of the protagonist's actions will always be a point of debate, but this is a great example of a futuristic world being originally brought to screen.
Edge Of Tomorrow (2014) - Available On DIRECTV & Spectrum On Demand
Based on All You Need Is Kill, a Japanese science fiction novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Edge Of Tomorrow found its success in surprising audiences and shifting the time loop genre. The result is a hugely enjoyable action romp, with great leads and compelling characters.
Dune is largely unfamiliar to many younger mainstream audiences and Edge Of Tomorrow is a good example of how something can really cement itself in the genre, through creative writing and plenty of risks being taken. Interest in a sequel to the hit only adds to the original's importance.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - Available To Rent On Apple TV, Amazon Prime & More
Another franchise that made an unexpected comeback, remembered largely as a classic of a bygone era, George Miller showcased that Mad Max still had momentum, even in a modern age. There's plenty of parallels between Fury Road and Dune, not least because of its desert setting.
Relying hugely on practical effects, Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the best action films of the last few decades. With every decision having major consequences, the script allowed the story to be told through physicality. Dune may have to rely on similar techniques, as well.
District 9 (2009) - Available On Starz, DIRECTV & Spectrum On Demand
District 9 is a complete change of pace considering its indie status. The small-budget production resulted in a juggernaut of a movie that somehow transcended far beyond what it should have been. Great world-building is one such way that Neill Blomkamp cemented this new landscape.
Featuring mysterious aliens, a hierarchical system, and a hidden conspiracy, thematically there's a lot of parallels with Dune. District 9 was also bold in its beats, allowing the protagonist to truly become affected by the conflicts of the piece.