Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary’s $165 million sci-fi epic “Dune” finally hits cinemas and multiple overseas markets this weekend including China.
Reports indicate the movie is targeting a global weekend in the $70 million+ range this weekend to add to its $129 million foreign box-office total so far.
Tracking for the U.S. release has been suggesting a domestic opening in the $30-35 million range alongside the movie’s theatrical day-and-date debut on HBO Max. However that estimate could go up as exhibitors are touting massive presales.
Reviews for the film have been superb, the few complaints seemingly about the movie being what the source material is – cold, hard science-fiction and thus not easily emotionally accessible.
A global take in the $300 million+ range is being seen as a succeess even if it’s not in profit. That’s because despite all the surge in box-office, many tentpoles aren’t even close to breakeven and we’re still a long way off from movies making $1 billion global grosses again.
In any case, it looks to likely be the biggest domestic opening for Villeneuve. Warners spent more on “Blade Runner 2049” which had a $185 million budget and which ultimately grossed just $259 million worldwide (and $92 million domestic) in pre-pandemic times. “Dune” is expected to easily beat that as well as being a subscriber draw for the HBO Max service.
Source: Deadline
