10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Dune (1984)

Description: 2001 shares Dune's epic scope and philosophical exploration of human evolution. Both use stunning visuals to tell stories spanning vast timescales, dealing with themes of consciousness, technology, and our place in the universe. The mysterious monoliths parallel Dune's prescient visions in their enigmatic nature.

Fact: The famous 'star gate' sequence was created using slit-scan photography. Stanley Kubrick consulted with over 50 scientific organizations for accuracy. The film's dialogue accounts for less than 40 minutes of its 139-minute runtime.

Description: Alien shares Dune's atmospheric tension and corporate dystopia themes. Both feature a gritty, lived-in future where technology is advanced but human nature remains flawed. The Weyland-Yutani corporation's pursuit of the xenomorph mirrors the spice trade's importance in Dune.

Fact: The chestburster scene was kept secret from most of the cast for genuine reactions. H.R. Giger's designs were initially considered too disturbing for the studio. The Nostromo was designed to look like a 'space truck' for realism.

Description: Star Trek: TNG shares Dune's exploration of complex political systems and philosophical questions about humanity's future. Both feature advanced civilizations with intricate social structures and deal with themes of diplomacy, war, and human potential. The show's treatment of the Borg shares similarities with Dune's thinking machines.

Fact: Patrick Stewart was nearly rejected for being bald (unprecedented for a TV lead). The Borg were originally conceived as insectoid before becoming cyborgs. The show's technical manual was written with input from NASA engineers.

Description: Stargate shares Dune's themes of ancient civilizations, interstellar travel, and the blending of science fiction with mythology. Both stories involve humans discovering their connection to a larger galactic history and dealing with god-like beings. The desert settings and exploration of alien cultures are also similar.

Fact: The Stargate concept was originally developed as a trilogy of films before becoming a TV franchise. James Spader was cast because director Roland Emmerich wanted someone who looked like an 'ordinary guy' rather than an action hero. The hieroglyphics in the film were created by a real Egyptologist to be authentic.

Description: The Fifth Element shares Dune's blend of grand sci-fi adventure with unique visual style and world-building. Both films feature a chosen one narrative and explore themes of destiny and ancient prophecies. The eclectic mix of futuristic and retro aesthetics in The Fifth Element mirrors Dune's distinctive look.

Fact: Luc Besson wrote the first draft of the script when he was just 16 years old. The film's famous diva opera scene was performed by Albanian soprano Inva Mula, with the alien language created by linguist Didier Achour. Bruce Willis initially turned down the role of Korben Dallas three times before accepting.

Description: Interstellar shares Dune's epic scale and exploration of humanity's future among the stars. Both deal with environmental catastrophe, time dilation, and the survival of the human species. The films similarly blend hard science with more mystical elements, creating a sense of wonder about the universe.

Fact: Kip Thorne, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, served as scientific consultant and executive producer. The black hole visuals were created using actual mathematical equations, resulting in scientifically accurate depictions. Matthew McConaughey's emotional scene watching video messages was improvised based on real isolation.

Description: Prometheus shares Dune's themes of ancient civilizations, human origins, and encounters with god-like beings. Both explore humanity's search for its creators and the consequences of such discoveries. The visual grandeur and philosophical questions about creation and destiny are similarly ambitious.

Fact: The Engineers' language was developed by a linguist to sound ancient yet alien. The holographic star map scene used real astronomical data. Noomi Rapace performed her own surgery scene without CGI.

Description: Like Dune (1984), Blade Runner 2049 is a visually stunning sci-fi epic with deep philosophical themes. Both films explore humanity's relationship with technology, power, and destiny. The cinematography and world-building are similarly immersive, creating a rich, atmospheric experience.

Fact: Denis Villeneuve, the director of Blade Runner 2049, also directed the 2021 Dune adaptation. The film's production design was heavily influenced by the original Blade Runner, maintaining its neo-noir aesthetic. Ryan Gosling's character was originally written as a more typical action hero, but the script was revised to make him more introspective.

Description: Arrival shares Dune's thoughtful approach to first contact and linguistic themes. Both explore how communication and understanding can transcend time and space. The film's non-linear storytelling and philosophical depth mirror aspects of Dune's narrative structure and themes of prescience.

Fact: The heptapod language was developed by a real linguist to be scientifically plausible. Director Denis Villeneuve also directed Dune (2021). The film's twist ending was kept secret from most of the cast during filming.

Description: The Expanse, like Dune, presents a complex, politically charged future where different factions vie for control of valuable resources. Both explore how humanity might evolve and fracture across the solar system, with similar attention to realistic physics and world-building. The show's treatment of protomolecule shares thematic parallels with Dune's spice melange.

Fact: The authors originally published the story as a tabletop RPG before adapting it into novels. NASA scientists have praised the show for its accurate depiction of physics in space. The Belter creole language was developed by a professional linguist.