Warner Bros. Pictures/Marvel Studios / Warner Bros. Pictures/Marvel Studios
Hollywood is always chasing popular trends, from cinematic universes to live-action remakes to, more recently, double features. However, it looks like Marvel Studios may avoid chasing the latter with one of its superhero films. Hollywood insider John Campea reported that Marvel Studios is considering moving the release date of Avengers: Doomsday, saying, “The very non-committable discussions have taken place.” This news suggests the movie may premiere on the same day as Dune: Part Three, thereby burying the “Dunesday” double feature in the sand.
It is still too early to say whether this news is true. The announcement comes after Jumanji 3 arguably saved itself by moving its release date from December 11 to December 25, a week after Dunesday. Campea speculated that Marvel could move Doomsday‘s premiere to December 11 so it could have a week to show the film on IMAX screens originally reserved for Jumanji 3 before they are taken by Dune: Part Three.
It is unclear whether Avengers: Doomsday or Dune: Part Three will replicate the miraculous success of the “Barbenheimer” double feature, which saw both Barbie and Oppenheimer gross around $2.1 billion worldwide after their simultaneous premieres. Dunesday has the makings of another Barbenheimer, as it features two big-budget blockbusters from acclaimed directors with star-studded casts.
As a long-time Marvel and Dune fan, I am excited to see both films in theaters, and I sincerely hope to see them as a double-feature. However, I can’t help but wonder whether separate releases would be good for both films.
Would Marvel and Dune be saved from Dunesday?
Though Marvel and Dune are two blockbuster film franchises, it seems more likely that Avengers: Doomsday would beat Dune: Part Three at the box office if released together. Via Screen Rant, a study from Greenlight Analytics found that audiences have shown greater awareness and interest in Avengers: Doomsday than in Dune: Part Three. In this study, 50% of respondents said they would like to see Doomsday in theaters on opening weekend, while 38% said they would prefer to watch Dune: Part Three.
The greater interest in Avengers: Doomsday is not at all surprising. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for its lighthearted comedic tone, even with darker movies like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. This tone has allowed it to appeal to audiences of all ages, turning it into the mega-successful franchise it is today. Given Dune: Part Three’s more mature tone and how much longer the MCU has been around in theaters, chances are that Avengers: Doomsday will attract more audiences and make more money in theaters.
At the same time, Avengers: Doomsday aims to be the biggest superhero film of all time by assembling big names from the comics and Hollywood. Not only will we see Oscar-winner Robert Downey Jr. return to the MCU as the iconic villain, Doctor Doom, but we also get to see the return of beloved Avengers like Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth).
On top of that, Avengers: Doomsday will feature the X-Men and the Fantastic Four in a long-awaited crossover with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. One would think that Dune: Part Three would profit even more if it didn’t have to compete with all the popular heroes and villains Marvel will unleash in their next Avengers film.
However, in recent years, audiences have made it clear that superhero fatigue is real. Many of Marvel’s more recent projects, including Eternals, Captain America: Brave New World, and The Marvels, have been more divisive and less profitable than many films seen before Avengers: Endgame. The fact that Marvel is bringing back Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans for Avengers: Doomsday suggests they are relying on nostalgia to win back audiences.
While fewer people have gone out to see Marvel movies in theaters, more original, director-driven stories like Sinners, Weapons, and Marty Supreme have popped up and scored big at the box office. The Dune trilogy was adapted from a series of books that began in the 1960s, much like many of Marvel’s movies. Despite that, Villeneuve’s interpretation of the story felt very different than most modern blockbusters, and the franchise has become increasingly popular after the director’s first two films.
The first Dune movie barely broke even at the box office in 2021, but Dune: Part Two‘s post-pandemic release date and more propulsive story sent the franchise skyrocketing, earning far more money and acclaim in theaters. At this rate, it seems like Dune 3 could cross $1 billion at the box office, making it a prime competitor to Avengers: Doomsday.
The next Avengers film will also have to make a lot of money to recoup its massive production budget and marketing costs. Depending on its overall quality, even with its long list of stars and iconic characters, Doomsday may have a tougher time breaking even if it has to compete with Dune: Part Three.
Dunesday could actually help both films succeed
If Dunesday does come to pass this December, there is a chance that both films will be huge box-office hits. Take a look at Barbenheimer: though Barbie made nearly $1.45 billion at the box office (according to Box Office Mojo), Oppenheimer still made almost $1 billion in theaters. Given the already massive popularity of Marvel and Dune, it is likely their films won’t have too much trouble breaking even on Dunesday.
However, it is worth noting that Barbie and Oppenheimer performed as well as they did because of the hype they generated as a double feature. Both films arguably wouldn’t have made as much money with corporate marketing alone if people weren’t eager to join in the Barbenheimer craze.
Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three have generated even more interest due to their simultaneous release dates. People are already creating Dunesday fan art in anticipation of the double feature, with Robert Downey Jr. resharing artwork by BossLogic on Instagram. One or both of these films could end up making more money by capitalizing on the current Dunesday phenomenon.
However, Dunesday may not reach the level of hype and success it seeks by trying to become the next Barbenheimer. Hollywood tried to recapture the latter’s magic with double features like “Glicked” (Gladiator II and Wicked), which didn’t quite have the same charm or success. While Glicked made a lot of money in theaters, it didn’t do as well domestically compared to Barbenheimer, according to Fortune.
Think of it this way: we’ve heard of parents trying to sound cool to their children by using slang like “hip.” But when the adults start saying it, the kids suddenly think it isn’t cool. Barbenheimer was “hip” when the public created the meme, turning it into an accidental phenomenon. When Hollywood studios try so hard to duplicate it and look cool for audiences, it can come across as awkward and disingenuous.
The fact that Marvel is considering moving the release date of Avengers: Doomsday suggests it isn’t betting on recreating Barbenheimer to succeed. Both it and Dune: Part Three have already generated enough excitement based on their own merits, and they are on their way to become two of the biggest movies of 2026. But if Marvel stays the course and lets Dunesday come, it could make the debut of both movies even more memorable for fans.
