Dune to release one day early on HBO Max

If you’re choosing to view Denis Villeneuve’s Dune at home, you’ll be able to do it a day earlier than expected. It has been announced that the highly-anticipated Frank Herbert adaptation will be released on HBO Max streaming a day before its wide release on October 22.

Per “Decider“, Dune will begin streaming on HBO Max on October 21 at 6:00 PM EDT. What’s crazy about this decision is that the film will be able to be seen even earlier than early Thursday evening preview showings that most tentpole releases have been accustomed to. For me, it’s a scratch my head moment as this opens the film up to potential piracy pretty early but it could point to Warner Bros. truly banking on its HBO Max performance. They have previously stated that if Dune does well on the platform, it can guarantee another installment but this seems to undercut how well exclusive theatrical releases have been doing the last couple of months. Dune is truly meant for the theatrical experience but it seems like Warner Bros. still wants to promote the streaming option.

Dune, which has already grossed $117.6 million from overseas markets, also needs big box office to justify its reported $165 million budget on top of marketing costs which aren’t factored into that figure. I’m still on the fence about how this film will perform domestically. Cerebral sci-fi is a tough sell during a healthy box office climate. Trying to sell it during a pandemic when theaters aren’t 100% stable and streaming the film at home is another option, seems like a true mountain to climb. Dune still has a release in China coming up which will boost its international presence so we will have to see how this all plays out when the film opens.

Dune follows the son of a noble family that is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. Villeneuve has gathered an impressive ensemble cast for the film including Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.

Do YOU think it was wise to release Dune a day early on HBO Max? Dune Hits screens on October 22, 2021.