Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three is approaching, and the next chapter of Paul Atreides’ story could be the most challenging one yet. Scheduled to arrive in cinemas and IMAX on December 18, 2026, the film takes place nearly two decades after Paul seizes control of the Imperium. Now an emperor haunted by visions of his empire’s collapse, he must deal with political conspiracies, old enemies and the consequences of the holy war unleashed in his name. Timothée Chalamet returns alongside Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem and Jason Momoa, while Robert Pattinson joins the cast as Scytale.
However, waiting for another journey across Arrakis does not mean we have to abandon epic science fiction. Cinema has delivered some extraordinary films featuring alien civilizations, enormous political conflicts, mysterious worlds and characters struggling against forces much greater than themselves. Some share Dune’s philosophical ambitions, while others recreate its combination of spectacular visuals and complicated power struggles. Here are 10 movies like Dune that deserve your attention before Part Three reaches theatres.
10. The Green Knight (2021)
David Lowery’s The Green Knight might not feature spaceships, intergalactic empires or futuristic technology, but it captures something that makes Dune particularly fascinating: the feeling of entering an ancient world governed by unfamiliar rules. Based on the medieval Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the film follows Gawain, played by Dev Patel, as he accepts a mysterious challenge from a supernatural visitor.
Gawain must travel across a strange and dangerous landscape to fulfil his promise, encountering ghosts, thieves and supernatural forces along the way. His journey becomes less about defeating enemies and more about understanding courage, honour and the consequences of his decisions. The film deliberately avoids explaining everything, allowing its imagery and atmosphere to communicate much of the story.
Like Dune, The Green Knight is interested in destiny, mythology and the burden placed on individuals who occupy important positions within their societies. Gawain’s journey also has a dreamlike quality that recalls Paul’s visions of possible futures. Both films ask whether a person can escape the expectations created by their identity and the world around them.
Its slower pace will not appeal to everyone, but viewers who appreciate Villeneuve’s atmospheric storytelling should give it a chance. The Green Knight is a visually extraordinary fantasy film that rewards patience and careful attention.
9. Annihilation (2018)
If the mysterious ecology of Arrakis fascinated you, Annihilation offers another science-fiction world where nature behaves in ways that challenge everything humanity understands. Directed by Alex Garland and starring Natalie Portman, the film follows a biologist named Lena who joins an expedition into an unexplained phenomenon known as the Shimmer. The mysterious zone is expanding, and previous teams sent inside have either disappeared or returned under disturbing circumstances.
Inside the Shimmer, familiar forms of life begin changing in extraordinary ways. Plants, animals and biological structures develop strange characteristics, creating an environment that feels both beautiful and deeply threatening. Lena and the other members of the expedition gradually discover that the phenomenon is much more complicated than an ordinary environmental disaster.
Annihilation shares Dune’s fascination with the relationship between humanity and an environment that cannot be easily controlled. Arrakis shapes the Fremen, their traditions and their survival, while the Shimmer transforms everything that enters its territory. Both films also use their unfamiliar worlds to explore questions about identity, evolution and the limits of human understanding.
The film’s unusual visuals and unsettling atmosphere make it particularly memorable. Its mysteries are not always explained directly, but that is part of its appeal. For viewers who want science fiction that leaves them thinking long after the credits, Annihilation is an excellent choice.
8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road is considerably more action-oriented than Dune, but both films understand how to turn an unforgiving desert environment into a central character. George Miller’s 2015 action epic follows Max Rockatansky, played by Tom Hardy, as he becomes involved in Furiosa’s attempt to escape the control of the tyrannical Immortan Joe. Their journey across a devastated wasteland becomes an extraordinary battle involving heavily modified vehicles, dangerous warriors and a desperate struggle for survival.
The similarities with Dune become particularly noticeable in the way both films portray resource scarcity and authoritarian power. Arrakis is valuable because of its spice, while Immortan Joe controls access to water, one of the most important resources in his devastated world. In both stories, powerful leaders use control over essential resources to maintain their authority.
Furiosa also shares some interesting characteristics with the strongest characters in Villeneuve’s films. She is intelligent, determined and willing to challenge an oppressive system despite the enormous risks. Her journey is driven by the desire to escape a world where ordinary people have almost no control over their own lives.
Fury Road is one of the most spectacular action films of the modern era, combining practical stunts, extraordinary production design and relentless momentum. Anyone who enjoys the harsh desert atmosphere and political conflicts of Dune should find plenty to appreciate here.
7. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
George Lucas’s original Star Wars adventure helped establish the modern cinematic fascination with enormous fictional civilizations, desert planets and struggles against authoritarian empires. The story follows Luke Skywalker, a young man living on the desert planet Tatooine, who becomes involved in a rebellion against the Galactic Empire after discovering a message hidden inside a droid.
Luke eventually joins forces with Princess Leia, Han Solo and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they attempt to help the Rebel Alliance destroy the Empire’s most powerful weapon, the Death Star. Their journey introduces audiences to an enormous fictional universe involving different planets, alien species, political factions and mysterious supernatural abilities.
There are several reasons why Star Wars belongs on a list of movies like Dune. Both franchises explore the relationship between political power, prophecy and the individuals who become symbols of larger movements. Luke and Paul are also young protagonists whose lives become connected to conflicts that extend far beyond their original understanding of the universe.
The desert setting of Tatooine creates another interesting connection. Like Arrakis, it is an unforgiving environment that shapes the lives and personalities of the people who inhabit it. However, Star Wars adopts a more adventurous and accessible tone, with a stronger emphasis on heroic journeys and spectacular action. For anyone who wants to understand the cinematic tradition behind modern space operas, A New Hope remains essential viewing.
6. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
At first glance, David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia might appear to be an unusual recommendation for fans of science fiction. However, its influence on the visual language of modern desert epics makes it one of the most important films to watch before returning to Arrakis. Peter O’Toole stars as T. E. Lawrence, a British Army officer who becomes involved in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.
The film follows Lawrence as he travels across the Arabian desert and develops relationships with different Arab leaders and communities. His military successes gradually transform him into a celebrated figure, but his growing influence also creates complicated questions about loyalty, political ambition and the relationship between individual identity and public mythology.
There is a particularly strong connection between Lawrence of Arabia and Dune in their portrayal of desert societies. Both films examine the relationship between outsiders and indigenous populations, the importance of understanding local traditions and the political consequences of becoming a symbol of resistance. Paul’s growing influence among the Fremen also invites comparisons with Lawrence’s complicated position within the Arab Revolt.
Villeneuve’s desert imagery has frequently encouraged comparisons with classic filmmaking, and Lawrence of Arabia remains an important reference point for anyone interested in cinematic scale. Its enormous landscapes, carefully constructed compositions and exploration of political power make it essential viewing.
5. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar takes viewers beyond the boundaries of Earth to explore humanity’s struggle for survival. Matthew McConaughey plays Cooper, a former pilot who joins a space expedition after discovering that humanity may no longer have a future on its home planet. Alongside a team of scientists, he travels through a wormhole in search of another world capable of supporting human life.
Like Dune, Interstellar combines enormous scientific ideas with an intensely personal story. Its characters must confront questions about humanity’s future, the limits of technology and the sacrifices required to protect future generations. The film also explores the consequences of decisions made by powerful institutions and the difficulty of understanding events that operate beyond ordinary human experience.
One of its most memorable elements is the exploration of time. The astronauts encounter environments where time passes differently, creating consequences that affect their relationships with people back on Earth. Dune also uses visions and an unusual understanding of time to complicate Paul’s relationship with the future.
Interstellar is particularly impressive because its enormous scale never completely overwhelms its emotional story. Cooper’s relationship with his daughter becomes the driving force behind his journey, giving the science-fiction spectacle a deeply personal foundation. For Dune fans who enjoy ambitious filmmaking, this is an essential recommendation.
4. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 is arguably the closest film to Dune in terms of visual style and storytelling philosophy. A sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 science-fiction classic, it follows K, a replicant played by Ryan Gosling, who works as a blade runner in a world where artificial humans are created to serve human society.
During an investigation, K discovers evidence that could challenge the established understanding of replicants and their place in the world. His search gradually leads him towards Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, and a mystery involving identity, memory and the possibility of something extraordinary. The investigation becomes increasingly dangerous as powerful individuals attempt to control what K discovers.
The similarities with Dune extend beyond their shared director. Both films feature enormous environments, carefully constructed fictional societies and characters caught between personal identity and larger political forces. Villeneuve also uses silence, sound design and extraordinary cinematography to make their worlds feel imposing without relying on constant exposition.
Roger Deakins’ cinematography gives Blade Runner 2049 a distinctive visual identity, while Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch’s score adds considerable weight to its atmosphere. The film is also interested in philosophical questions about humanity, memory and the meaning of existence.
Anyone who enjoys the deliberate pacing and visual ambition of Dune should consider Blade Runner 2049 one of the first films to watch. It is a science-fiction experience that rewards viewers who are willing to immerse themselves in its world.
3. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven takes place during the Crusades and follows Balian, a blacksmith played by Orlando Bloom, who travels to Jerusalem and becomes involved in the political and military conflicts surrounding the city. His journey introduces him to competing religious factions, powerful rulers and a kingdom struggling to maintain peace in an increasingly unstable region.
The film shares an important characteristic with Dune: its central conflict is built around control of a strategically important territory and the political ambitions of different groups. Jerusalem becomes the centre of competing claims, just as Arrakis becomes the most valuable planet in the Imperium because of its spice production. The people who inhabit these places frequently become trapped between powerful interests that extend far beyond their own communities.
Balian also faces questions about leadership and responsibility. He is not initially interested in becoming a major political figure, but circumstances push him into a position where his decisions affect the lives of thousands. This resembles Paul’s transformation from a young Atreides heir into an emperor whose actions have consequences across the universe.
We particularly recommend watching the director’s cut, which restores substantial material and gives the characters and political conflicts more room to develop. Kingdom of Heaven is not science fiction, but its examination of religion, warfare and competing political ambitions makes it a surprisingly effective companion to Dune.
2. Arrival (2016)
Another Denis Villeneuve film makes the list, and this time the connection to Dune comes through its treatment of language, perception and time. Arrival stars Amy Adams as Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the American military after mysterious alien spacecraft appear at different locations around the world. Her task is to establish communication with the visitors and understand why they have arrived on Earth.
Rather than immediately turning the encounter into a military confrontation, Arrival focuses on the difficulty of understanding an entirely unfamiliar form of intelligence. Louise gradually discovers that the aliens communicate through a complex visual language that changes the way she understands time. Her discoveries become increasingly personal as the film reveals the connection between language, memory and the perception of future events.
The relationship with Dune is particularly interesting because Paul Atreides also experiences visions that complicate his understanding of time and personal choice. Both films explore what happens when an individual gains access to knowledge that ordinary human beings cannot easily comprehend. The ability to perceive possible futures becomes a burden rather than an uncomplicated advantage.
Arrival also shares Villeneuve’s preference for atmospheric storytelling. Its visual effects are carefully controlled, the alien spacecraft are genuinely mysterious, and Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score creates an unsettling atmosphere without overwhelming the story.
For viewers who appreciate the philosophical side of Dune more than its battles and spectacle, Arrival is arguably the strongest recommendation on this entire list.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring takes the number one position because it delivers the same kind of enormous fictional world that makes Dune such a rewarding cinematic experience. Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel, the film introduces Middle-earth, a land filled with different races, ancient civilizations, powerful kingdoms and a history that stretches back thousands of years.
The story follows Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit who inherits a mysterious ring that turns out to be the most dangerous object in Middle-earth. The ring was created by Sauron, a Dark Lord seeking to regain control over the world. Frodo must travel towards Mordor to destroy it, accompanied by a group of companions who eventually become known as the Fellowship.
The similarities with Dune are particularly noticeable in their treatment of power and destiny. Both stories follow characters who become connected to conflicts much larger than their personal lives. Paul Atreides is drawn into the political and religious future of the Fremen, while Frodo becomes responsible for destroying an object capable of allowing an evil power to dominate Middle-earth.
Both franchises also demonstrate how powerful fictional worlds can become when their histories and cultures are carefully developed. The Fremen have their own traditions, survival techniques and beliefs, while Middle-earth’s Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and Men possess distinct cultures and political histories. These details make the settings feel like places that existed long before the main characters arrived.
The Fellowship of the Ring also benefits from Howard Shore’s extraordinary musical score, impressive production design and memorable performances from its ensemble cast. For viewers who want another cinematic journey involving ancient evil, powerful artefacts and the fate of entire civilizations, it remains one of the greatest fantasy films ever made.
Where to start before Dune: Part Three
There is no shortage of films that capture different elements of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune universe. Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival are particularly strong recommendations for viewers who enjoy the director’s philosophical approach to science fiction, while Interstellar delivers an equally ambitious exploration of humanity’s future. Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven provide historical parallels involving desert societies, political ambition and the struggle for control over important territories.
With Dune: Part Three scheduled for December 18, 2026, there is still time to revisit the films that helped define modern science-fiction and fantasy filmmaking. The upcoming chapter will explore the consequences of Paul’s rise to power, with Robert Pattinson’s Scytale introducing another dangerous figure into the conflict. Which of these 10 movies captures the spirit of Dune most successfully, and which film would you add to the list before returning to Arrakis?
