Every Single ‘Dune’ Adaptation Ranked: ‘It’s a Really Fun World To Play In’

When it comes to adaptations of Frank Herbert’s beloved novel Dune, most people think about the recent Timothée Chalamet film. While we agree it’s fantastic, there are several other shows and movies that helped pave the way for its success. Below, we rank  all the Dune adaptations, among them a documentary, prequel, a follow-up show and more! 

5. ‘Jodorowsky’s Dune’ (2013) 

It’s no secret that the world of Dune is fictional, but that certainly wasn’t the case in the 2013 documentary Jodorowsky’s Dune. In it, filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky tells viewers how he would have adapted the classic novel. 

“Dune is a book that’s like Proust. It’s science fiction, but it’s very, very literary,” Jodorowsky said in 2020. “It’s very difficult to find images to put in the film because pictures are optical. When I had the idea to do that, it was in an ecological [crisis]. I was feeling what all the people felt today. We’re in an ecological problem, because the Earth is changing.” 

And while the concept of the adaption—and his quote—seems interesting, since  Jodorowsky never actually brought his vision to life, we had to put this one at the bottom of the list. 

Jodorowsky’s Dune is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

4. ‘Children of Dune’ (2003) 

In 2003, Susan Sarandon, Alec Newman, James McAvoy and other stars came together to make a three-episode mini-series that followed Paul “Muad’dib” Atreides’ twins as they deal with growing up on Arrakis, white also wanting to know what the rest of their universe has to offer. 

”One of the reasons I always loved the books was because they were driven by strong women, living outside the rules,” Sarandon said in 2003. “[The Dune tale] is very apropos to some of what’s going on in the world today. It’s about the dangers of fundamentalism and the idea that absolute power corrupts.”

While we can’t argue with that, we do have to say that this short adaptation falls short in showcasing the world’s complex, mind-bending magic system, which has people on the edge of their seats, trying to understand what’s going to happen next. 

Children of Dune isn’t available to stream anywhere at the moment.

3. ‘Dune’ (1984) 

The first Dune adaptation was released in 1984 and starred Kyle MacLachlan, Francesa Annis, Sean Young and Sting! The plot of it did follow the original idea of Paul Atreides (MacLachlan) as he travels to the planet Arrakis and becomes fascinated with their people. 

“My feelings about it evolve over time. I look at it as a flawed gem,” MacLachlan said. “It’s stunning in so many ways. As a story, and trying to recreate that story, it’s almost impossible. It’s incredibly dense, and a little bit like a house of cards. If you leave out one element of the story or another, the structure tends to wobble, and you don’t get the full effect.”

And we have to agree. Groundbreaking at the time, over the years ,it’s become obvious that the special effects don’t hold up and, compared to the newer adaptations, it isn’t nearly as dazzling. 

You can watch Dune (1984) on Max. 

2. ‘Dune: Prophecy’ (2024) 

The prequel series Dune: Prophecy is the latest installment in the Dune adaptation family, and while there might not be a lot of episodes available, it nonetheless results in obsessive viewing. The plot follows two Harkonnen sisters who band together to form the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. 

“I’ve never really done anything like this before,” star Emily Watson said.“Most of the work I’ve done so far in my career has been very much based in reality. Getting my head around all the Dune lore and language was a new thing for me. But within that, I found really rich acting territory. It’s quite complex, and it’s a really fun world to play in.”

Filled with complex characters and answers we have been searching for, for quite some time, Dune: Prophecy is incredible from start to finish. 

You can stream Dune: Prophecy on Max. 

1. ‘Dune Part 1 & 2’ (2021/2024) 

Of course, we had to put Chalamet’s incredible adaptations at number one. The plot is the same as the 1984 version, but it is expanded upon in a delightful way and has so many cool special effects and added elements that make us want to travel on a spaceship and find spice ourselves. 

“I’m grateful for this film, Chalamet said.  I’m grateful to be amongst castmates that I admire and look up to and that I get to be in this incredible film and work with [director] Denis Villeneuve.” 

You can watch Dune Part 1 & 2 on Max.