What to watch before Dune: Part Three

No. 01 · 2021 · Film · 2h 35m

Dune

Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence - a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential - only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Why it matters: Paul Atreides arrives on Arrakis; the place to start.

Starring

Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and Oscar Isaac

Director

Denis Villeneuve

Box office

$411 million on a $165 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%

No. 02 · 2024 · Film · 2h 47m

Dune: Part Two

Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Why it matters: Paul joins the Fremen; finishes the first novel.

Starring

Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson

Director

Denis Villeneuve

Box office

$715 million on a $190 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

No. 01 · 2021 · Film

Dune recap

In the year 10191, Emperor Shaddam IV orders House Atreides to take over Arrakis, the desert planet that is the only source of spice, from House Harkonnen. Duke Leto Atreides suspects a trap but goes, hoping to win over the Fremen, the planet's desert people. His son Paul has visions of the desert and a Fremen girl, and the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Mohiam tests him with a box of pain and a poisoned needle. His mother, Lady Jessica, is a Bene Gesserit who trained him in their ways, including the Voice. On Arrakis, Leto meets Fremen leader Stilgar and the planetologist Liet-Kynes. The Harkonnens and the emperor's Sardaukar soldiers attack, helped by the Atreides doctor Yueh, who has been forced to betray them. Duke Leto dies trying to kill Baron Harkonnen with a poison tooth. Duncan Idaho dies defending Paul and Jessica.

How Dune ends

Paul and Jessica escape into the deep desert and meet Stilgar's Fremen, including Chani, the girl from Paul's visions. A Fremen named Jamis challenges Paul to a knife duel, and Paul kills him, earning his place in the tribe. Paul and Jessica walk with the Fremen into the desert, and Paul sees a Fremen ride a sandworm. The story continues in Dune: Part Two.

Post-credits scenes

No. There is no post-credits scene.

No. 02 · 2024 · Film

Dune: Part Two recap

Paul and Jessica live among Stilgar's Fremen in the deep desert. Paul fights the Harkonnens alongside Chani and falls in love with her, while Stilgar believes Paul is the Lisan al Gaib, the messiah promised by the Bene Gesserit's planted prophecies. Jessica drinks the Water of Life to become the tribe's Reverend Mother, and through it, her unborn daughter Alia speaks to her. Paul rides a sandworm and takes the name Paul Muad'Dib Usul. Baron Harkonnen replaces his brutal nephew Rabban with his younger nephew Feyd-Rautha, a psychotic fighter the Bene Gesserit want to breed with Paul's line. Gurney Halleck returns, and Paul learns he himself is the Baron's grandson through his mother. After Feyd-Rautha destroys the Fremen's northern camp, Paul goes south and drinks the Water of Life, seeing a holy war that will burn the universe if he leads it.

How Dune: Part Two ends

Paul declares himself the messiah to the southern Fremen, then attacks the emperor at Arrakeen with sandworms and atomics. He kills the Baron and defeats Feyd-Rautha in a duel, and Shaddam surrenders. Paul demands to marry Princess Irulan to take the throne, and when the Great Houses refuse, he sends the Fremen to war across the stars. Chani refuses to bow and leaves on a sandworm.

Post-credits scenes

No. There is no post-credits scene.