Two most awaited sequels will face off on the same March 1, 2024 release date, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two starring Timothée Chalamet, and the surprise Megamind follow-up Megamind vs The Doom Syndicate. Which film will claim box office victory when they both hit theaters? Dune 2 enters the battle boasting incredible critic raves, with early reviews already proclaiming it a “masterpiece” and one of this century’s greatest films. Meanwhile, plot details remain scant for the animated Megamind sequel. But with over a decade passed, Megamind 2 may intrigue moviegoers curious to revisit the quirky supervillain-turned-hero.
What Should We Expect From Dune 2’s Box Office Rollout?
Timothée Chalamet’s Dune 2 is projected to score a massive $60-80 million domestic debut as per The Direct, nearing the $84 million launch of 2021’s Dune. Buoying forecasts are both critic raves and intense fandom for Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel series.
‘DUNE: PART TWO’ and ‘MEGAMIND 2’ will both be releasing on the same day, March 1st.
Which one do you plan on watching first? 💥 pic.twitter.com/1ByGWEQXv3
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) February 23, 2024
If projections hold and strong word-of-mouth spreads, Warner Bros will likely keep Dune 2 exclusively in theaters for about 7 weeks, similar to the 2023 hit Barbie. That would mean a late April digital release.
And based on recent Warner Bros release patterns, Dune 2 could stream on HBO Max around July 26. But much depends on the film matching lofty box office expectations.
What Do We Know So Far About Megamind 2?
Plot details are still limited for Megamind 2. But the sequel revolves around Megamind battling his former villain team The Doom Syndicate, who plot to launch Metro City into space.
Keith Ferguson and Laura Post lead as the new voices of Megamind and reporter Roxanne Ritchi, succeeding Will Ferrell and Tina Fey from the original 2010 animated hit. That first Megamind movie scored over $320 million globally.
Perhaps the biggest question is whether Megamind 2 can draw viewers to streaming instead of theaters. The sequel debuts March 1 simultaneously on Peacock alongside a new Megamind animated series, potentially limiting box office appeal.
Original voice stars like Ferrell and Fey could have driven more theatrical interest. However, releasing two high-profile Megamind projects on one platform might attract more streaming subscribers.
Which Sequel Will Claim The March 1 Crown?
Dune 2 enters March 1 with every advantage, critic raves, premium franchise pedigree, and a preceding blockbuster. Megamind 2 faces longer odds without key original talent and a surprise streaming launch.
But never underestimate the appeal of family-friendly animation. Megamind connected with audiences back in 2010, and the sequel could tap into nostalgia on streaming. Still, opening against Dune 2? This heroic face-off seems destined for a TKO.
Dune: Part Two continues the story of Paul Atreides as he unites with Fremen rebels to seek vengeance against the Harkonnens, who defeated House Atreides in the first film. Epic battles over control of the desert planet Arrakis and its valuable export, the spice melange, promise sweeping scope.
Meanwhile, Megamind 2 sees the supervillain-turned-hero confronting his old villain team “The Doom Syndicate” as they plot to send his city flying into space. The high-concept premise provides lots of comedic fodder for more of Megamind’s antics. While the stories couldn’t be more different, both sequels aim to thrill fans through elaborate world-building.
