With weeks to go before December 18, the Dunesday box office race is already one of the most-watched stories in Hollywood. Here's a roundup of what's been reported so far.
The presales picture
According to presale tracking cited by ComicBook.com, Avengers: Doomsday has been outselling Dune: Part Three by roughly three or four to one. Other reports have pointed to a North American release on more than 4,000 screens for the Marvel film.
Dune's IMAX advantage
Dune: Part Three is reported to have locked an exclusive IMAX window for its opening. For a franchise built on huge visuals, that matters. The series has also grown with each entry: Part One earned about $410 million worldwide despite a same-day streaming release, and Part Two climbed to roughly $714 million.
So who wins?
On raw opening-weekend dollars, most tracking points to Marvel. But plenty of commentators expect Dune to have the longer legs and the awards-season conversation. As with Barbenheimer, the bigger story may be that both films lift each other, with fans buying tickets to both.
Our prediction
Doomsday takes the weekend. Dune takes January. And everyone who sees both takes home the bragging rights.
Whichever side you're on, or if you're firmly on both, the Dunesday collection has you covered.
Box office figures above are reported projections and presale estimates from the linked outlets and may change before release.
Dunesday FAQ
Which movie will win the Dunesday box office?
Presale reports point to Avengers: Doomsday winning opening weekend, while Dune: Part Three is expected to have strong legs and an IMAX advantage.
Is Dune: Part Three playing in IMAX?
Multiple outlets have reported that Dune: Part Three secured an exclusive IMAX window for its opening.