“One of the greatest sci-fi films of all time”: Spielberg praises Villeneuve’s Dune duology

Steven Spielberg gave a major interview to Empire in connection with the release of his new sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day. But the conversation also turned to other filmmakers’ work. The director of E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind didn’t hold back when speaking about the Dune duology by Denis Villeneuve.

Spielberg drew a parallel between Villeneuve’s approach to the source material and how Guillermo del Toro handled Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. According to him, both directors didn’t just adapt the books — they honored them. He also singled out the sandworm riding scene from Dune: Part Two, calling it one of the greatest things he has ever seen in cinema.

Dune: Part Two was released in 2024 and grossed over $570 million worldwide. The third film, Dune: Messiah, is set to premiere on December 18, 2026. Villeneuve has described it as his final film in Frank Herbert’s universe. Spielberg’s own new film, Disclosure Day, will hit theaters on June 12, 2026.

Do you agree with Spielberg, or is there sci-fi you value more than Dune? Let us know in the comments.