"It Brings Me Hope For The Future Of Cinema": Denis Villeneuve Responds To Dune Part 2 Being The Highest-Rated 2024 Movie On Letterboxd

Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve responds to his acclaimed sequel being the highest-rated movie of 2024 on Letterboxd. Serving as a follow-up to his 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune, Villeneuve's second movie hit theaters in February of last year, chronicling Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) journey as he becomes a leader for the Fremen on Arrakis. The Dune: Part Two reviews were glowing from critics, with praise aimed at Villeneuve's assured directing and the strong performances from the cast.

In a new video posted to the Letterboxd YouTube channel, Villeneuve learns that Dune: Part Two has emerged as the highest-rated movie of last year and shares a heartwarming reaction. According to the French-Canadian director, he supports the movie-based social media app, explaining that the existence of such a platform makes him feel hopeful regarding his art form. Check out Villeneuve's comment below:

“I’m gonna sleep well tonight. The idea that there’s a community, the Letterboxd community of film lovers, cinephiles, that are sharing film lists and their love and their passion, it brings me hope for the future of cinema. The idea that people are so interested and passionate about movies, to know that there's an appetite for cinema is the best reward for me.”

As of writing, Dune: Part Two's average score on Letterboxd is 4.4 out of 5.

What Dune 2's Letterboxd Honor Means For The Movie

The Dune Franchise Isn't Going Anywhere

Though the first movie was well-received in 2021, the sequel's reception has been on another level entirely. Dune: Part Two's critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes is an impressive 92% compared to the first movie's 83%, with the sequel boasting an even more epic presentation, jaw-dropping action-sequences, and a more emotional story. The audience response, however, has clearly also been glowing, with a 95% audience score accompanying a worldwide box office haul of $714 million.

Dune Franchise Key Scores
Title	RT Critics' Score	RT Audience Score	Est. Budget	Worldwide Box Office
Dune	83%	90%	$165M	$407M
Dune: Part Two	92%	95%	$190M	$714M

The response to Dune: Part Two is a strong indicator of the franchise's future. Dune: Part Three is currently in the script stage, with Villeneuve set to return as director. Though the filmmaker has been clear that his upcoming adaptation of Herbert's Dune: Messiah will be his last project in the franchise, that doesn't mean that Herbert's world won't return from a different filmmaker. Warner Bros. will take the enthusiastic reception to Dune: Part Two as a signal to double down on this franchise, as they have already done with the release of the Dune: Prophecy TV show.

Our Take On Dune: Part Two's Letterboxd Victory

Denis Villeneuve's Movie Is In Good Company

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides standing in front of an atomic bomb explosion in Dune: Part Two.

2024 was ultimately a great movie year, filled with standout titles. Though it failed at the box office, Furiosa's reviews were glowing, and the responses to blockbusters like Twisters and Alien: Romulus were also positive. Smaller movies like The Substance and The Brutalist have made quite a mark, and animated feature The Wild Robot was a big crowd-pleaser. The response to Wicked, too, has been remarkably positive.

Though individual picks for the best movie of 2024 will vary, Paul's story on Arrakis and Villeneuve's way of bringing that to life evidently struck a chord with viewers. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to Villeneuve's next installment, which will pick up the story after the Dune: Part Two ending, but it's now certainly one to look forward to.

Source: Letterboxd