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IMAX Dune 3 announcement
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Dune: Part Three hits IMAX December 14, 2026, four days before wide release. The IMAX exclusivity deal pits it against Avengers: Doomsday for holiday box office.
Background
Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three, based on Dune Messiah, is set for release on December 18, 2026. Warner Bros. secured an exclusive IMAX agreement, locking up the format's screens across North America through the holidays. This puts it in direct competition with Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, which opens the same day but lacks IMAX access, instead promoting other premium formats. Early presales show strong demand for both, with Dune dominating IMAX 70mm ticket sales.
How it unfolded
- 2024Dune: Part Three's release date was announced, and IMAX screens were booked over two years in advance.
- Jul 2026Disney launched premium format presales for Avengers: Doomsday, selling admissions for 1,000 screens.
- Aug 14, 2026IMAX CEO commented on Avengers: Doomsday's lack of IMAX release, confirming Dune's exclusive hold.
- Aug 17, 2026Reports highlight 'Dunesday' presales, with Dune 3 dominating IMAX 70mm and Avengers leading in total volume.
- Aug 18, 2026Denis Villeneuve announced expanded IMAX ticket availability for insider screenings, addressing fan demand.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Both films can thrive during the holiday period, with early presale momentum suggesting a historic box office.
- Bulls
- Dune 3's IMAX exclusivity gives it a crucial tactical advantage in premium format revenue.
- Bears
- Avengers: Doomsday holds the edge in total presale raw volume, posing a major threat.