"Dunesday": Dune 3 and Avengers: Doomsday open on the same day, which one first?

Movie fans have nicknamed it "Dunesday". On December 18, 2026, two of the most anticipated movies of the year are set to open on the same day: Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three and Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday. A showdown that recalls the "Barbenheimer" summer of 2023.

Note: rumors have suggested Avengers: Doomsday could move by a week. Check the dates just before release.

Dune: Part Three, the end of the trilogy

Denis Villeneuve wraps up his adaptation of Frank Herbert's universe. This third movie draws on Dune Messiah, the second novel in the series, which tells what becomes of Paul Atreides once he's at the height of power. After the critical and box-office success of the first two, it's one of the frontrunners of awards season.

Avengers: Doomsday, the Avengers are back

Directed by the Russo brothers (Infinity War, Endgame), the movie marks Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the Marvel universe, this time as Doctor Doom. It's Marvel's big event of the year.

Which one should you see first?

• You love epic, contemplative sci-fi: Dune first. It's a movie for the biggest screen possible, in IMAX if you can.
• You want spectacle and reunions: Avengers first, ideally on opening weekend to avoid spoilers.
• A bit of both: do it like Barbenheimer, both on the same weekend.

The real question: have you rewatched the earlier movies?

Dune 1 and 2 add up to more than 5 hours. The Avengers saga, far more. We've put together two guides to get you up to speed without spending your whole vacation on it.