Dunesday: Dune 3 Set To Push Avengers: Doomsday Out of IMAX Screens With 3 Weeks Lock!
Parijat Ghosh 
2026 might bring the next biggest movie showdown in years. Fans and insiders are calling it Dunesday, a clever mashup of two massive blockbusters aka Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday hitting theaters on the same day. Both are currently slated for December 18, 2026. That already has movie buffs buzzing with excitement, memes, and double-feature hype. But there’s a twist in the tale that could shape how audiences experience this clash physically, not just online. Word on the street is that Warner Bros. has locked down IMAX screens exclusively for Dune: Part Three for a full three weeks around its opening. If this holds, it would mean Avengers: Doomsday might not have access to the biggest premium screens for its first few weeks of release. Let’s unpack this.
Why IMAX Screens Are a Big Deal for Dunesday
IMAX isn’t just a big screen. It’s the ultimate cinema experience. Bigger visuals, immersive audio, and specially formatted footage can make a huge difference in how audiences feel about a movie. That’s especially true with a movie like Dune: Part Three, which reportedly includes scenes shot with IMAX cameras and is envisioned to make full use of IMAX’s taller aspect ratio.
By contrast, Avengers: Doomsday was reportedly shot in a more standard widescreen format and then adapted for IMAX projection instead of using IMAX cameras natively. That doesn’t diminish the spectacle it can deliver, but it gives Dune a technical edge when it comes to the premium giant screen experience.
What the Dune 3 IMAX Lock Means
According to box office observers, Dune: Part Three claimed the IMAX window first when the release date was set. With that, the film has exclusive rights to all IMAX screens for three weeks around its release, including the key opening period. That effectively ties up the premium screens that Doomsday would want if both films stick to December 18, 2026.
This isn’t just about bragging rights. IMAX screens have higher ticket prices, louder sound systems, and more screen real estate that can drive bigger box office numbers. Especially in the opening weekend. That could give Dune a tangible advantage among audiences who prioritize the cinematic experience. At the same time, Disney and Marvel tend not to let big releases go quietly. Avengers: Doomsday was reportedly scheduled on the exact same day after being shifted from its earlier calendar, and the marketing push behind it remains massive.
Will Either Movie Move Its Date?
Major studios usually avoid direct head-to-head clashes on the same weekend. But Warner Bros. reportedly refuses to budge from December 18 for Dune: Part Three, insisting it chose the date first and that it has no plans to shift in the face of the MCU release. That confidence likely comes from the fact that Dune: Part Three isn’t just any blockbuster. It’s the conclusion of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic saga. And it’s expected to be a cinematic event in its own right.
Fans are hyped for the showdown. People are already coining the clash Dunesday, much like Barbenheimer. The 2023 phenomenon is back when Barbie and Oppenheimer smashed box office expectations by releasing together. As for Avengers: Doomsday it is a sure shot cinematic event which might not be as huge as Infinity War or Endgame, but still has loads of hype to hit that $1.5B at box office. So even if Doomsday fails to get IMAX screens for first couple of weeks, it would still sail through well.
Whatever happens, December 18, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the wildest days in cinema history. A three-week IMAX lock for Dune: Part Three could reshape how the two films share screens, and it might even influence box office fortunes. But whether it will truly push Avengers: Doomsday off big screens entirely is still up in the air. Studios and theaters could still find ways to share formats. Either way, it’s a movie weekend everyone will be talking about.
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