“Dune”: 7 other productions for those who loved the films in the saga

The franchise “Dune” one of the adaptations of Science fiction most popular in recent years, a new film premiered on last Thursday (29) . A box office success, the story originally published in 1965 is considered by many to be a production that opened doors for the construction of other works of this kind – some of them being known worldwide.

Under the direction of Dennis Villeneuve the new plot is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Frank Herbert and is starred by Timothée Chalamet . The cast also includes Austin Butler, Zendaya It is Florence Pugh .

In “Dune”, the plot revolves around Paul Atreides, a brilliant young man, master of a destiny beyond his understanding. He must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to secure the future of his people.

A phenomenon, the new film in the franchise secured first place on the weekend of its release, with strong sales in the United States, reaching millions in the country and globally.

For those who liked the universe and history of the “Dune” films and book and want to dive into similar film productions, the CNN separated a list with 7 of them. Check out!

Films for those who loved watching “Dune”

• “2001 – A Space Odyssey” (1968)

Science fiction directed by Stanley Kubrick, it is inspired by the work of the same name by author Arthur C. Clarke. Both the film and the book were produced at the same time and released three years after the first “Dune” work.

In the plot, the character Dave Bowman and other astronauts are sent on a mysterious mission.

Early on, their computer chips begin to show strange behavior, leading to a tense confrontation between man and machine that results in a mind-bending journey through space and time.

Where to watch? The film is available on Prime Video.

• “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)

The “Star Wars” saga has the universe most compared to “Dune”. The plot, in fact, has some similarities, especially when it comes to the first film released, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977).

In the Star Wars storyline, young Luke Skywalker becomes involved in a civil war between the tyrannical Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, similar to what Timothée Chalamet's character is involved in in the first “Dune” feature.

Frank Herbert even talked about the similarities between the “Star Wars” universe and the world of “Dune”. In a speech given at the University of California (UCLA), in the United States, in 1985, the author said:

“There are more or less 16 points of identity between the book Dune and Star Wars. Coincidence? There are not that many stars in the universe.”

Denis Villeneuve also compared the two works, in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, published in 2021.

“Star Wars was deeply inspired by Dune… And then us doing Dune 40-odd years later, it's like we're in a world occupied by the Star Wars Empire. Therefore, it is even a challenge to define our identity knowing that there is that big gigantic creature that is Star Wars that is out there. It was a challenge,” said the director.

Where to watch? The “Star Wars” films are available on Disney+.

• “Mad Max” (1979)

“Mad Max” is a science fiction franchise that contains action elements based in a post-apocalyptic future, created by James McCausland and George Miller. Just like “Dune”, the franchise invests in the visuals of the created universe.

In its history, there is a desert without resources, where the water supply is very limited, making society violent and reactive in the midst of an oppressive government regime.

The plot, immersed in a world immersed in war, hunger and financial chaos, features the police officer Mad Max, who has nothing left but his instincts for survival and retaliation, and begins a revenge against the gang that persecuted and murdered his wife and children.

Where to watch? The film is available on Max (formerly HBO Max).

• “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)

“Dune” is considered the “Lord of the Rings” of science fiction. This is because the fantasy work written by JRR Tolkien was released in 1954 and considered revolutionary and great for the fantasy genre, as was Frank Herbert's work for his niche.

The trilogy of films based on the work is made up of its own fantastic universe, which tells the story of a hobbit who receives a magical and evil ring as a gift from his uncle that needs to be destroyed before it falls into the hands of evil.

At his side to complete a great journey, he can gradually count on other hobbits, an elf, a dwarf, two humans and a wizard, totaling nine beings that form the Fellowship of the Ring.

Where to watch? The films are available on Max (formerly HBO Max).

• “Interstellar” (2014)

Science fiction and adventure feature tells a story in space with a younger version of Timothée Chalamet in the cast. The space universe created in the work is considered by fans to be grand and rich in details.

In the plot, directed by Christopher Nolan, Earth's natural reserves are coming to an end and a group of astronauts receives the mission to check possible planets to receive the world's population, enabling the continuation of the species.

Cooper is called to lead the group and accepts the mission knowing he may never see his children again. Alongside Brand, Jenkins and Doyle, he will continue looking for a new home.

Where to Watch? The film is available on Max (formerly HBO Max).

• “The Martian” (2015)

“The Martian” is an adaptation of “The Martian”, by Andy Weir, which, in turn, is inspired by the place created in “Dune”, where humans need to find ways to survive in a dystopian future and place.

Wadi Rum, an area of ​​dunes and mountains located in Jordan, is a place that was even the setting for the recording of both “The Martian” and “Dune”.

In the plot, astronaut Mark Watney is sent on a mission to Mars, but after a severe storm, he is presumed dead and ends up abandoned by his colleagues. The man then wakes up alone on the inhospitable planet with scarce supplies and without knowing how to find his companions or return to Earth.

He then begins a tough fight for his own survival, using all his scientific knowledge to make contact and return home.

Where to watch? The film is available on Star+.

• “Blade Runner – The Android Hunter” (1982)

An adaptation of “Dune” would initially be directed by Riddle Scott, who eventually gave up on the project. The director then headed other projects about dystopias, the adaptation of “Blade Runner” (1982) by Philip K. Dick being one of them.

20th century science fiction takes place in the 21st century, when a corporation develops human clones to be used as slaves in colonies outside Earth, identified as replicants. In 2019, a former police officer is called to hunt down a fugitive group living undercover in Los Angeles.

Coincidentally, the new director of “Dune”, Denis Villeneuve, also helmed a production about “Blade Runner”. Released in 2017, the new adaptation was called “Blade Runner 2049”.

Where to watch? “Blade Runner” is available on Max (formerly HBO Max), while “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) is available on Netflix.