Movies Like Dune - 2021
For a long time, Frank Herbert's Dune was known as one of the most iconic and groundbreaking sci-fi novels ever put to paper and thus also one of the most difficult to adapt to film. However, Denis Villeneuve exploded those preconceptions with his stunning adaptations in Dune 2021 and Dune: Part Two 2024 to show the epic journey of Paul could indeed be done into one of modern cinema's most thrilling experiences. For those looking for more of the world of Dune- films that inspired it, were inspired by it, or even just movies that possess the same vibe- there's a whole lot of movies like Dune waiting to be discovered
Here is a list of 10 movies like Dune:
- Stalker (1979)
- Dune (1984)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
- Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
- The Matrix (1999)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
- Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
Stalker (1979)
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
A foreign arthouse masterpiece and easily one of the greatest science fiction films of all time, Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker is an absolute must-see. Against the backdrop of a mysterious area called the Zone, home to the enigmatic Room that grants one's deepest desires, a guide known as a stalker leads a writer and a professor through this dangerous landscape.
Like Dune, Stalker is a film about faith and existential questions, told from a completely different point of view. This is essential viewing for film buffs, but most importantly, for those who loved Dune since this shares the same languid pacing as Villeneuve's movie, also having breathtaking visuals and indelible scenes.
Dune (1984)
Director: David Lynch
Impossible to adapt for years, much of that impossibility hinged on the notorious failure of the David Lynch version in 1984. This surrealist of a director tried to push Herbert's complex narrative into an almost two-and-a-half-hour film with a final result that turned out quite peculiar and many times disjointed.
But, with its flaws and deviation from the source material in mind, Lynch's Dune has aged remarkably well. Even without the surrealism that makes a film unmistakably Lynch, it still contains some pretty interesting aspects for a fan and a cinephile. If one enjoyed Villeneuve's adaptations, they might find it worth checking out this earlier version just to see how it differs from the newer interpretations.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Director: Peter Jackson
Long before the new millennium, The Lord of the Rings did not need an introduction. But Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy catapulted its popularity to unprecedented heights. The first film in this monumental saga introduces us to the Fellowship as they embark on their quest to destroy an evil weapon in Mount Doom.
That might sound like a routine hero's journey kind of story, but it's so much more than that. It was one of the perfect films of the 2000s and a magically transporting doorway to Middle-earth and its suite of fascinating characters. Villeneuve has mentioned - time and again - how Tolkien influenced his vision of Arrakis, and that vibe radiates throughout Fellowship. An emotional journey that echoes an epic quality found in Dune.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Undeniably one of the most influential science fiction films ever made is Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. This philosophical space odyssey follows a crew aboard a spacecraft journeying to Jupiter in search of the origins of a mysterious artifact found on the Moon.
There isn't much hyperbole when noting that Kubrick's seminal work has, quite arguably, marked virtually every single space adventure since the movie's release-yes, even Villeneuve's Dune. A landmark visual effects and storytelling tour-de-force combined with weighty themes and memorable music-all of which is wrapped into this cinematic behemoth. Not to be missed by a self-respecting film aficionado.
Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
Director: George Lucas
Much like Tolkien's work in the realm of fantasy literature, George Lucas's Star Wars has become a cultural touchstone. The original film follows young Luke Skywalker as he embarks on an adventure to save the galaxy from tyranny.
The Hero's Journey archetype is strongly felt within both Dune and A New Hope, revealing the best ways in which good storytelling can simultaneously be old and new. With a striking visual aesthetic and one of cinema's most beloved scores, A New Hope remains timeless, a true icon within film history.
The Matrix (1999)
Directors: Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski
The Wachowskis' The Matrix: Neo is a computer hacker who has been shown reality as no more than an illusion perpetrated by malignant artificial intelligence, and the action is in full flow with some heady philosophy.
Considered one of the most innovative science fiction movies since the advent of CGI, The Matrix enthralls with its action-packed sequences while stimulating the mind with its complex layers of storytelling. The similarities between Dune and this classic are striking.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
One cannot talk about films influenced by Herbert's Dune without mentioning the marvelous work of Hayao Miyazaki-Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. It was released before the establishment of Studio Ghibli but is still often considered one of the studio's best works. This story concerns a pacifistic princess trying to save two nations from destroying their planet.
Thematic similarities abound between Nausicaä and Dune-environmental concerns set amidst conflict and turmoil. Equally, both films examine deeply philosophical questions amidst a visually striking world filled with unique creatures.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Director: David Lean
Winner of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Lawrence of Arabia is considered one of the greatest epics in history. It's the true story of T.E. Lawrence, who led united Arab tribes against Turkish forces during World War I.
The complex character of Lawrence was an inspiration to Frank Herbert while he worked on Dune. There are quite a few parallels between Lawrence's life and the quest of Paul Atreides throughout the novels-the morally gray, brooding leaders fighting through the harsh landscapes.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Before getting down to business with his famous adaptations of Dune, Denis Villeneuve helmed Blade Runner 2049-a beautiful sequel to the classic by Ridley Scott. Visually arresting, the film follows K-a new Blade Runner-who finds secrets that will lead him to Rick Deckard, who has been in hiding for many years.
As one of the greatest R-rated science fiction films of the past decade, BR2049 captures Villeneuve's signature style-an aesthetic that pulsates strongly within both his offerings for this universe.
Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
Director: Frank Pavich
Since its publication in 1965, Dune has been the source of inspiration, for many artists, in ways that few novels have managed to. This creativity is captured splendidly in Jodorowsky's Dune, a fascinating documentary about the unsuccessful attempt at an adaptation by Chilean filmmaker **Alejandro Jodorowsky**.
Though Jodorowsky’s project never came to fruition—despite gathering some extraordinary talents—the documentary celebrates creativity itself while exploring what could have been. It offers fans a unique perspective on Arrakis through Jodorowsky’s visionary lens.