Steven Spielberg has showered praise on Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune, calling the films some of the finest science-fiction works ever made.
Speaking in a recent interview with Empire, Spielberg said the franchise has left a lasting impression on him. “Recently, I’ve loved the Dune movies. They are among my favourite science-fiction movies, not just recently, but of all time. Especially the second film,” he said, adding, “I think [Part Two] is the best movie Denis has ever made. I cannot wait to see the third one.”
The filmmaker also expressed admiration for how faithfully Villeneuve has translated Frank Herbert’s vision to the screen. Drawing a comparison, he said the films echo the way Guillermo del Toro approached Frankenstein, noting that Villeneuve "honoured Frank Herbert” in much the same way.
Spielberg’s appreciation for the series is not new. During a Directors Guild of America conversation following the release of Dune: Part Two, he described the sequel as “one of the most brilliant science-fiction films I’ve ever seen.” He also placed Villeneuve among an elite group of filmmakers known for their immersive storytelling. “There are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds… and I deeply, fervently believe that you are one of its newest members,” Spielberg told him, recalling iconic names like George Lucas, Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott.
He singled out one particular moment from the film as unforgettable, calling the sandworm-riding sequence “one of the greatest things I have ever seen. Ever!”
Villeneuve is set to continue the saga with Dune: Part Three, based on Herbert’s Dune Messiah, which is slated for release later this year. Meanwhile, Spielberg is gearing up for his own return to the genre with Disclosure Day, scheduled to hit theatres on June 12.
