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Action adventure film

Dune (1984): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Dune (1984) movie poster

Dune is a 1984 action adventure film directed by David Lynch, starring Virginia Madsen, José Ferrer and Kyle MacLachlan. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes and earned $31.5 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$31.5M
award won
1
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Dune (1984) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 17m (137 min)
Director
David Lynch
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dune About?

The premise of Dune without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, a noble family is entrusted with overseeing the vital spice production. A young man, Paul Atreides, finds himself caught in a complex web of political schemes and warring factions vying for control of the precious resource. He must confront both external threats and his own inner demons to protect his family and people amidst a brutal and unforgiving interstellar conflict.

Dune Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • space travel
  • desert planet
  • dune
  • giant worm
  • water
  • prophecy
  • desert
  • messiah
  • monster
  • spice
  • traitor
  • assassination
+38 more
  • murder
  • dream
  • dreaming
  • birth
  • loss of father
  • distant future
  • emperor of the universe
  • sisterhood
  • eugenics
  • human computer
  • father proud of son
  • prophetic dream
  • bloodline
  • facing fear
  • imperium
  • palace
  • assassin
  • military ambush
  • loyalty
  • gagged woman
  • manipulation
  • hypnotic suggestion
  • mind control
  • sacred water
  • feudal system
  • mining operation
  • heir
  • space sci fi
  • epic sci fi
  • space opera sci fi
  • planet
  • emperor
  • mining
  • battle
  • starship
  • feudalism
  • supernatural power
  • father son relationship
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Cast & crew

Dune Cast

Virginia Madsen leads the cast, with José Ferrer and Kyle MacLachlan. Directed by David Lynch; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from David Lynch

More films directed by David Lynch, best-rated first: The Straight Story, Mulholland Dr., Eraserhead and Blue Velvet.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dune Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dune 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

Plot

Dune Plot Summary

What happens in Dune from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a captivating opening, Princess Irulan (Virginia Madsen) narrates the history of a universe once governed by machine titans and the humans’ journey to reclaim their lost knowledge. To counter their past apathy, two distinct training programs focused on mathematics and psychic abilities emerge, leading to the rise of the powerful spice melange. This rare substance not only extends life but also amplifies certain psychic powers, essential for the Galactic Spacing Guild’s navigators to “fold space” for swift interstellar travel. The one and only source of this invaluable spice is the arid desert planet of Arrakis, affectionately known as Dune. The native Fremen, a nomadic tribe, hold a legend of a messiah destined to come from another world.

Full summary

The whole story of Dune, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Dune Box Office & Budget

Dune grossed $31.5 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 79% of what it cost. $31.4 million came from the US and Canada and $56,090 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1984 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.5M

79% of its budget back

US & Canada
$31.4M
International
$56.1K
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Dune Awards & Nominations

Dune won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 1985, with 1 win from 3 nominations.

1 win4 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Dune Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 2 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 7 videos
Trailer (Fan Remaster)
  • Trailer DUNE Trailer [1984]
  • Teaser DUNE (1984) Teaser Trailer - (Original 35mm)
  • Teaser 40th Anniversary Spot
  • Clip Paul's New Age Duel Against Gurney
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dune?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What coveted substance is central to the conflicts in Dune?

Details

Dune Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “砂の惑星” and “Xolit”.

Also known as
  • 砂の惑星
  • Xolit
  • Дина
  • 듄
  • Duna
  • Dune - Der Wüstenplanet
  • Dune Der Wüstenplanet
  • Dune - Der Wuestenplanet, დიუნი
  • ดูน สงครามล้างเผ่าพันธุ์จักรวาล
  • 사구
  • Der Wüstenplanet
  • Dune - Duna
+22 more
  • Дюна
  • Дюн
  • Дина - пустињска планета
  • 沙丘
  • Dűne
  • Diuna
  • Dune - Ørkenplaneten
  • Ντιούν
  • חולית
  • Dyyni
  • Kopa
  • 沙丘魔堡
  • デューン/砂の惑星
  • Dunas
  • Xứ Cát
  • Dina - pješčani planet
  • 星際奇兵
  • تل‌ماسه
  • สมรภูมิจ้าวจักรวาล
  • ड्युन, სილახვავი
  • Dúna
  • Düün

Seen Dune?

FAQ

Dune FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Dune, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dune?

Dune runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).

When was Dune released?

Dune was released on December 14, 1984.

Who directed Dune?

Dune was directed by David Lynch.

More films by David Lynch

Who is in the cast of Dune?

Dune stars Virginia Madsen, José Ferrer and Kyle MacLachlan, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Dune make at the box office?

Dune grossed $31.5 million worldwide ($31.4 million domestic, $56,090 international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Dune rated?

Dune has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

What awards did Dune win?

Dune won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Costumes at the Saturn Awards 1985.

Does Dune have a post-credit scene?

No. Dune has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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