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Read before Dune: Part Three

Based on Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert. A movie · Theaters · Finished filming

Countdown
Dec 18, 2026
to Dec 18, 2026, your local midnight
Estimated reading time
≈ 5 h 35 min
279 pages × 1.2 min
FormatMovie
Where to watchTheaters
Studio / platformWarner Bros. Pictures / Legendary
ReleaseDec 18, 2026

Status: Finished; trailer released. International release starts Dec 16.

Denis Villeneuve's third Dune film is based on Dune Messiah, the second book. North America opens Dec 18; some international markets get it Dec 16.

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View “Dune Messiah” on Open Library

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Sources

Dates last checked Oct 18, 2026. Reading time uses Open Library's median page count across editions at about 1.2 minutes per page, so it is a rough guide. Release dates change; if one looks wrong, check the sources above.

Data notes

  • The official site says only 'based on the novels written by Frank Herbert'. IGN reports Part Three adapts Dune Messiah, with the story moved to 17 years after Part Two (five years later than the novel). We list Dune Messiah as the main book.

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