Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve shares why he is disappointed that his film is still the top earner at the 2024 box office. The sequel starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya has grossed more than $711 million worldwide since releasing in theaters on March 1. No other 2024 movie has surpassed this milestone, with the next closest being Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at $567 million, and Kung Fu Panda 4 at $542 million. Meanwhile, the summer box office is off to a slow start, with The Fall Guy, Furiosa, and other releases so far underperforming well below expectations.

According to Deadline, while receiving the Academy Icon Award at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, Villeneuve revealed that he is “disappointed to still be number one… I hope soon that there will be other successes at the box office. I hope, sooner or later, that this summer box office will be much better.” He expanded on this sentiment with insights into the current state of the film industry, particularly emphasizing the importance of movie theaters and how they contribute to a film’s success. Read Villeneuve’s additional comments below:

I think we need movies that are theatrical experiences, that will fully embrace the power of the theatre, and I’m not just talking about Dune 2. Of course I’m talking about many movies. A movie like Civil War, for instance, is a strong example of a movie that absolutely used the power of the theatre. I was lucky that Part 2 did reach the audience, I wish it would happen more often, honestly.

Will Any Upcoming 2024 Movies Dethrone Dune: Part Two At The Box Office?

Things May Look Bleak, But There Are Still Several Contenders

The high anticipation leading up to Dune: Part Two‘s delayed release helped make it a financial hit. There are still several highly anticipated 2024 movies that have yet to be released and that are seemingly poised to do well at the box office, including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Joker: Folie à Deux, Moana 2, and Wicked: Part One. Inside Out 2‘s box office projections are for a domestic opening weekend between $80 and $85 million, which would be on par with Dune: Part Two earning $82.5 million during its first weekend.

Inside Out 2 could sustain a similarly successful box office run throughout the summer, especially with Disney committing to giving it a roughly 100-day exclusive theatrical window before it is available on Disney+. Disney’s other high-profile summer release, Deadpool & Wolverine, could be the MCU’s first billion dollar movie in three years. Despite not releasing in theaters until July 26, Deadpool & Wolverine already broke ticket presale records, with excitement for the teamup starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reaching a fever pitch.

Joker’s musical sequel may also be a contender, especially if it is received as well as its billion dollar predecessor. Moana 2 will give Disney another shot at the top spot, with its trailer garnering more views in 24 hours than any other trailer in Disney animation history. The long-awaited adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, should also be in the conversation. Deadpool & Wolverine likely has the best chance of dethroning Dune: Part Two because of its mass appeal and release best-suited to feel like an event that must be seen in theaters.

Source: Deadline