(Photo Credit: Universal)
A polarizing Dune movie is set to exit Netflix next month. Directed by the late David Lynch, the film was critically panned upon its initial release, but has since garnered a massive cult following.
1984’s Dune leaves Netflix in May
The 1984 Dune will be removed from Netflix on Friday, May 1, 2026. Alongside directing, Lynch also wrote the film’s screenplay, adapting Frank Herbert’s 1965 iconic sci-fi novel of the same name.
The film follows House Atreides, which is sent to the desert planet Arrakis and tasked with controlling the spice, the only known resource in the universe that makes interstellar travel possible. Soon after they take control, their rival house, the Harkonnen, betrays them, killing Duke Leto Atreides. However, Leto’s son Paul and wife Lady Jessica flee to the scorching desert. There, they eventually join the native Fremen people. As Paul adapts to their ways, he begins to fulfill a prophecy of a leader who will bring change to Arrakis.
Dune’s cast features Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, Francesca Annis as Lady Jessica, Kenneth McMillan as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Richard Jordan as Duncan Idaho, Everett McGill as Stilgar, Sean Young as Chani, and Patrick Stewart as Gurney, among others.
Unlike the modern Denis Villeneuve Dune films, Lynch’s adaptation attempted to adapt the entire book into a single film. Although his first draft would have split the story into two films, Lynch ultimately combined them into one (via The New York Times). This decision came with certain artistic liberties and omitted several major parts of Herbert’s work.
Released on December 14, 1984, the critics panned the film for its muddled script. As a result, Dune has a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While the audience score currently sits at 65%, it wasn’t enough to help the film become a commercial success. Produced on a budget of $40 million, the film earned just over $31.5 million at the global box office.
Despite this, Dune earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound. Following the commercial failure, the producers shelved plans for sequels.
Netflix subscribers have until the end of this month to stream Dune on the platform.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on ComingSoon.
