Marvel Studios is reportedly considering moving the release date of Avengers: Doomsday, potentially avoiding a box office clash with Warner Bros.’ Dune Part Three. Both the highly-anticipated films are currently scheduled for December 18.
As per various news reports, Avengers Doomsday could release a week earlier on December 11. This adjustment would prevent what was being dubbed as ‘Dunesday’, a simultaneous release of two major films in the same week.
Strategic move for IMAX screens
The decision reportedly aims to give Avengers: Doomsday better access to premium IMAX screens during the crowded December release window. Dune: Part Three has already secured all US IMAX screens for three weeks starting December 18, limiting Avengers: Doomsday’s availability if it maintains its original release date.
Reports indicate that the shift in release date is not primarily driven by competition concerns but by a strategic effort to secure a solo run on IMAX screens. This move could enhance Avengers: Doomsday’s box office potential by granting it exclusive access to premium formats.
Canadian YouTuber and film critic John Campea, who has also directed films like Prince of Peace: God of War and The Anniversary, also discussed the speculation in one of his latest YouTube videos.
The film is targeting a $1 billion box office collection, and a one-week exclusive run may support this goal. Avengers: Endgame previously leveraged its IMAX format to earn $91.5 million during its opening weekend in 2019, suggesting similar benefits could be expected.
What to expect from both films
Avengers: Doomsday marks the fifth installment in the Avengers franchise and features the full debut of Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., following a cameo in Fantastic Four: First Steps. The film also sees the return of Captain America, played by Chris Evans, alongside the X-Men’s integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three will bring back Timothe Chalamet as Paul Atreides, with Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and others reprising their roles. The anticipation around both films contributed to the coining of the term ‘Dunesday’ by Robert Downey Jr. during a Q&A session with Chalamet.
A recent teaser of Avengers: Doomsday shows a crossover between Fantastic Four: First Steps characters and Wakandians from Black Panther. The teaser shows Letitia Wright as Shuri taking on her duties to serve the kingdom of Wakanda, along with Winston Duke aka M’Baku and Tenoch Huerta Meja aka Namor. The video ends with Duke shaking hands with Ben Grimm aka The Thing played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The film’s earlier teaser introduced the X-Men’s presence in the MCU, signalling significant crossover moments. Chris Evans’s return as Steve Rogers features prominently, with hints that his role as a father will influence the film’s narrative. The cast includes Danny Ramirez, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Florence Pugh, among others.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Doomsday’s adjusted release date could provide a clear runway ahead of Dune Part Three’s debut, setting the stage for two major films to capture audience attention in December 2026.
