Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three both open in US theaters on Friday, December 18, 2026, and fans have named the double bill Dunesday. Marvel’s Avengers sequel brings Robert Downey Jr. back as Doctor Doom, while Denis Villeneuve’s Dune finale adapts Dune Messiah. This guide compares the two films, from cast and trailers to IMAX screens and which to see first.
Last updated on November 7, 2026. Release dates can differ by country, so check your local cinema listings.
Avengers: Doomsday vs Dune: Part Three at a Glance
| Question | Avengers: Doomsday | Dune: Part Three |
| US release date | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Friday, December 18, 2026 |
| Director | Anthony and Joe Russo | Denis Villeneuve |
| Studio | Marvel Studios, released by Disney | Legendary Pictures, released by Warner Bros. |
| Based on | The Marvel Cinematic Universe | Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert |
| Key cast | Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Florence Pugh | Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson |
| Premium screens | Infinity Vision, on large-format screens that are not IMAX | IMAX, which it holds in the US for its opening weeks |
| Seen as | The first Avengers film since 2019 | The final film in Villeneuve’s trilogy |
What Is Dunesday?
Dunesday is the nickname for December 18, the day the two biggest films of the year open together. It follows the pattern of Barbenheimer, the name given to Barbie and Oppenheimer opening on the same weekend in 2023. Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet dubbed the day Dunesday together at a screening of Marty Supreme.
Avengers: Doomsday: What We Know
Anthony and Joe Russo direct Avengers: Doomsday, the first Avengers film since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Robert Downey Jr. plays Victor von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom, and the cast also includes Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm and Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. Disney is releasing it in premium formats under the name Infinity Vision.
The build-up has included a re-release of Endgame. Our report on the Avengers: Endgame re-release box office covers how it set up Doomsday.
Dune: Part Three: What We Know
Denis Villeneuve directs Dune: Part Three, which adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah and closes his trilogy. The story is set 17 years after Dune: Part Two, with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides now an emperor and Zendaya returning as Chani. Javier Bardem, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, Jason Momoa and Florence Pugh, who plays Princess Irulan, are also in the cast, and Hans Zimmer returns to compose the score.
Villeneuve has described the film as more action-packed and tense than the earlier chapters. Ireland’s film classification board lists the film at 151 minutes, and Warner Bros. showed the first trailer in March 2026.
Robert Downey Jr.Plays Doctor DoomDOOMSDAY
Chris HemsworthReturns as ThorDOOMSDAY
Pedro PascalPlays Reed RichardsDOOMSDAY
Timothée ChalametPlays Paul AtreidesDUNE 3
ZendayaPlays ChaniDUNE 3
Florence PughYelena and IrulanBOTH FILMS
Which Film Has the IMAX Screens?
Dune: Part Three holds the IMAX screens in the US for its opening weeks, so Avengers: Doomsday is expected to open on other premium large-format screens first. Cinemas elsewhere may handle the split differently, so check the format listed before you buy tickets.
Which One Should You See First?
There is no rule, and the two films appeal to many of the same viewers. If you want the bigger screen, book Dune: Part Three in IMAX early. If you want the Marvel crowd on opening night, go to Doomsday first. Florence Pugh appears in both films, so she is the one name that links them.
Looking for more films to plan around? See our guides to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Street Fighter and the James Bond reboot.
Dunesday FAQ
What is Dunesday?
Dunesday is the nickname for December 18, 2026, when Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three open in US theaters on the same day.
When does Avengers: Doomsday come out?
Avengers: Doomsday opens in US theaters on December 18, 2026.
When does Dune: Part Three come out?
Dune: Part Three opens in US theaters on December 18, 2026.
Who directs Avengers: Doomsday?
Anthony and Joe Russo.
Who directs Dune: Part Three?
Denis Villeneuve.
Who plays Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday?
Robert Downey Jr.
Is Dune: Part Three based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert.
Who is in Dune: Part Three?
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson and Jason Momoa, among others.
How long is Dune: Part Three?
Ireland’s film classification board lists it at 151 minutes.
Which film gets IMAX?
Dune: Part Three holds the US IMAX screens for its opening weeks, and Avengers: Doomsday is releasing in other premium formats.
Is Florence Pugh in both films?
Yes. She plays Yelena Belova in Avengers: Doomsday and Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Three.
Release dates, cast and crew are based on studio announcements and coverage from ScreenCrush, Dark Horizons, TheWrap and Screen Rant. This page is updated when new trailers, runtimes or format details are confirmed.
Photo credits, via Wikimedia Commons (images cropped): Robert Downey Jr. by Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0); Chris Hemsworth by Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 3.0); Pedro Pascal by Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 3.0); Timothée Chalamet by Amy Martin Photography (CC BY 4.0); Zendaya by Philip Romano (CC BY-SA 4.0); Florence Pugh by Greg2600 (CC BY-SA 2.0). Some photos were taken years before the films. If you are the rights holder of an image on this page and would like it removed or credited differently, see our Terms of Service or contact us and we will act promptly.
