Warner Bros' Tenet and Dune were 2020's most talked about movies on Reddit. Tenet released earlier this year after a lengthy effort to get the film in theaters. The film was posited as the blockbuster that could save theaters, with many expecting the Christopher Nolan helmed blockbuster to bring moviegoers back to cinemas in droves. Of course, that did not end up being the case, with the film floundering at the U.S. box office, prompting Warner Bros. to change the release plan for their 2021 films.
One of those 2021 films, Dune, was originally slated to hit theaters in December. Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of what many herald as one of the greatest sci-fi novels of all time was one of 2020's most anticipated films. From the stellar cast to the vast and dense world of Arrakis, the movie has the potential to kick off a new franchise. With plenty of Dune novels to pull from, the potential is there.
Fans seem to recognize that potential, as well as the weight that was placed on Tenet's shoulders. EW reports that Tenet and Dune were the most talked about films on Reddit in 2020 despite the latter not even releasing this year. Both films dominated the headlines in 2020. The list includes other 2020 heavy hitters like Mulan, Wonder Woman 1984, and Disney+'s Hamilton.
It should come as no surprise that these two movies were the most discussed. The drama surrounding Tenet dominated much of the conversation over the summer. Many wondered if it would be the film that would 'save' 2020 by bringing theatergoers back to cinemas and by reviving a stagnant box office after a summer that saw no other major releases. When that wasn't the case, the conversation shifted, but it most definitely did not end. Now studios look to Tenet as an example of failure rather than a shining beacon in what has turned out to be a hopeless year for major blockbusters.
Wanting to avoid the same fate, Warner Bros' delay of Dune to October 2021 put it nearly a year out from its original release date. Many were looking forward to the film, to see if Villeneuve could pull off the adaptation and offer a reprieve at the end of a disastrous year at the box office. With Dune delayed, though, that reprieve won't be coming. Viewers still have Wonder Woman 1984 to look forward to on Christmas Day and with Tenet hitting VOD on December 15, there will be plenty of viewing options. In a better year, the pair of movies likely would have still been the most talked about, but for vastly different reasons.
Source: EW
