The 31 best sci-fi movies of all time (July 2024) - Entertainment Weekly
The 31 best sci-fi movies of all time · 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) · Alien (1979) · Back to the Future (1985) · Blade Runner: The Final Cut ( ...
Denis Villeneuve
Frank Herbert's Dune has bested not one, but two of cinema's best storytellers. David Lynch's '84 adaptation, though it has its defenders, was a critical and commercial dud, while Alejandro Jodorowsky crumbled beneath the weight of his own vision. In his adaptation of the first half of Herbert's novel, <anchor>Denis Villeneuve</anchor> opts for a sober approach that wisely emphasizes story and character over eccentricity. He also, though, understands that the grandeur of Herbert's vision is part of what makes Dune so uniquely, well, Dune. Everything from the architecture to the sandworms that swim through these sweeping desert vistas is as massive as the spice war's impact on the saga's political and religious machinations.
Denis Villeneuve​
Denis Villeneuve​[Skip to content](#main)

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# Denis Villeneuve

[_Dune: Part 2_'s Harkonnen homeworld was inspired by septic tanks](https://ew.com/giedi-prime-gladiator-scene-dune-2-inspired-septic-tanks-8647039) [See how _Dune: Part 2_ stars rode the sandworm in exclusive behind-the-scenes clip](https://ew.com/see-dune-part-two-sandworm-unit-behind-the-scenes-timothee-chalamet-zendaya-javier-bardem-8631093) [Denis Villeneuve's third _Dune_ movie is officially in the works](https://ew.com/denis-villeneuve-s-third-dune-movie-is-officially-happening-8608521)

[Stephen McKinley Henderson has 'no regrets' about his _Dune: Part 2_ scenes being cut](https://ew.com/stephen-mckinley-henderson-addresses-cut-scenes-dune-part-two-8623925) [Christopher Walken discovers his secret _Dune_ connection from more than 20 years ago: 'Never crossed my mind'](https://ew.com/christopher-walken-dune-fatboy-slim-video-weapon-of-choice-connection-8606852) [Tim Blake Nelson is 'heartbroken' over his character being cut from _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/tim-blake-nelson-heartbroken-cut-from-dune-part-2-8604034) [Inside that epic _Dune: Part 2_ duel between Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler](https://ew.com/inside-dune-part-two-duel-timothee-chalamet-austin-butler-8602814) [_Dune: Part 2_ director reveals the most painful choice he had to make for his adaptation](https://ew.com/dune-part-two-denis-villeneuve-most-painful-character-to-cut-8601541) [How the _Dune: Part 2_ ending sets up _Dune Messiah_](https://ew.com/dune-2-ending-explained-dune-messiah-8601661) [How _Dune: Part 2_ handles the character of Alia — and why there isn't a time jump](https://ew.com/how-dune-part-two-handles-alia-jessica-pregnancy-8599667) [The 15 best Jake Gyllenhaal performances](https://ew.com/movies/best-jake-gyllenhaal-performances/) [See _Dune: Part Two_ stars enter the desert in exclusive set photos](https://ew.com/dune-part-two-exclusive-photos-timothee-chalamet-zendaya-greig-fraser-8585024) [Inside the _Dune_ dynasty: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh dig into the battle for Arrakis](https://ew.com/dune-part-two-timothee-chalamet-zendaya-austin-butler-florence-pugh-cover-story-8584736) [Welcome to the Worm Unit: How _Dune 2_ pulled off sandworm riding](https://ew.com/dune-2-sandworm-riding-timothee-chalamet-zendaya-denis-villeneuve-8594121) [_Dune: Part Two_ premiere features cyborg Zendaya, stumbling stars, and a guy vacuuming sand](https://ew.com/dune-part-two-premiere-cyborg-zendaya-stumbling-stars-guys-vacuuming-sand-8583984)

[_Dune: Part Two_ first reactions praise Zendaya, Austin Butler, and space worms](https://ew.com/dune-part-two-first-reactions-praise-zendaya-worms-8583989) [Anya Taylor-Joy confirms internet rumors about _Dune 2_ role](https://ew.com/anya-taylor-joy-dune-part-two-role-8583785) [_Tenet_ returning to theaters, this time with an exclusive _Dune 2_ sneak peek](https://ew.com/tenet-rerelease-dune-2-8549874) [Denis Villeneuve has started writing third _Dune_ movie: 'There are words on paper'](https://ew.com/movies/denis-villeneuve-writing-third-dune-movie/) [_Dune 2_ delayed to 2024](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-2-delayed-to-2024/) [Breaking down the epic moments and tantalizing teases from the new _Dune: Part Two_ trailer](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-two-trailer-breakdown/) [New _Dune: Part Two_ trailer reveals Christopher Walken's Emperor, teases the coming war](https://ew.com/movies/new-dune-part-two-trailer-reveals-christopher-walkens-emperor-teases-the-coming-war/) [_Dune: Part Two_ trailer reveals Florence Pugh's princess, how to ride a sandworm](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-two-trailer-timothee-chalamet-florence-pugh-austin-butler/) [See evil Austin Butler and his sleek bald dome in the _Dune: Part Two_ teaser](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-two-teaser-gives-a-brief-glimpse-of-austin-butlers-new-bald-look/) [Zendaya teases 'awkward and uncomfortable' romance with Timothée Chalamet in _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/movies/zendaya-teases-awkward-and-uncomfortable-love-story-with-timothee-chalamet-in-dune-part-two/) [_Dune: Part Two_ teases Austin Butler's villain: 'Olympic sword master mixed with a psychotic serial killer'](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-two-teases-austin-butler-villain-cinemacon/) [_American Psycho_ cast: Where are they now?](https://ew.com/movies/american-psycho-where-are-they-now/)

[Dave Bautista is relieved to end his MCU run as Drax: 'I want to do more dramatic stuff'](https://ew.com/movies/dave-bautista-relieved-to-end-mcu-run-as-drax/) [Christopher Walken will rule the universe in _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/movies/christopher-walken-emperor-dune-part-two/) [Josh Brolin compared dad 'paunches' with Javier Bardem at the Oscars before _Dune: Part Two_ films in July](https://ew.com/movies/josh-brolin-compared-dad-pauches-with-javier-bardem/) [Oscar-winning _Dune_ cinematographer teases sequel: 'It's bigger and better'](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/oscar-winning-dune-cinematographer-teases-upcoming-sequel/) [Judd Apatow and Jane Campion brainstorm doing a Marvel movie together: 'You would get everything you want'](https://ew.com/movies/judd-apatow-jane-campion-marvel-movie/) [How _Dune_ created the sinister sounds of those menacing sandworms](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/dune-sandworm-sound-engineers/) [Jane Campion calls Sam Elliott 'a bit of a bitch' for his anti- _Power of the Dog_ rant at DGA Awards](https://ew.com/awards/jane-campion-sam-elliott-bitch-2022-dga-awards-winners-list/) [Austin Butler in talks to play Timothée Chalamet's opposite number in _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/movies/austin-butler-feyd-rautha-dune-part-two/) [Florence Pugh reportedly in talks to play Princess Irulan in _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/movies/florence-pugh-in-talks-to-play-princess-irulan-in-dune-part-two/) [A _Blade Runner_ TV series is in the works at Amazon Studios](https://ew.com/tv/blade-runner-2099-series-in-the-works-at-amazon/) [Why did the Oscars snub Lady Gaga, Caitríona Balfe, and more 2022 contenders? EW breaks down the nods](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/oscars-snub-lady-gaga-caitriona-balfe/) [How to watch the 2022 Oscar nominees](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/how-to-watch-oscar-nominated-films-2022/)

[The most shocking snubs and surprises of the 2022 Oscar nominations](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/oscar-nominations-2022-snubs-surprises/) [See the full list of 2022 Oscar nominees](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/2022-oscars-nominations-full-list/) [2022 Oscars nominations predictions: See our final picks for who will be nominated at the Academy Awards](https://ew.com/awards/2022-oscar-predictions/) [Oscar Isaac gave Denis Villeneuve his 'c--k sock' after _Dune_ nude scene](https://ew.com/awards/oscar-isaac-denis-villeneuve-sock-dune-nude-scene/) [_Succession_ sweeps all 5 slots in a single DGA Awards category](https://ew.com/awards/2022-directors-guild-america-nominations/) [_Dune_ stunt coordinator breaks down Duncan Idaho's epic battle with the Sardaukar](https://ew.com/movies/dune-stunt-coordinator-duncan-idaho-sardaukar/) [_West Side Story_, _Belfast_ storm Oscar race with 11 Critics Choice Awards nominations each: See the full list](https://ew.com/awards/2022-critics-choice-awards-nominations-list/) [Snoop Dogg announces _Belfast_, _Squid Game_, more at 2022 Golden Globe nominations: See the full list](https://ew.com/awards/golden-globes/golden-globes-2022-nominations/) [Oscar contenders _King Richard, West Side Story_, _Dune_ hit big on AFI Awards winners list](https://ew.com/awards/2021-afi-awards-winners-full-list/) [_Dune_ continues box office reign for second weekend in a row](https://ew.com/movies/dune-box-office-second-weekend/) [Denis Villeneuve wants to make 'at least three' _Dune_ movies](https://ew.com/movies/denis-villeneuve-wants-to-make-three-dune-movies/) [5 things we can't wait to see in _Dune: Part Two_](https://ew.com/movies/five-things-we-want-to-see-in-dune-part-2/)

[_Dune: Part Two_ officially greenlit following film's successful opening weekend](https://ew.com/movies/dune-part-two-officially-greenlit-denis-villeneuve/) [Walking the sandwalk: How _Dune_ choreographed Timothée Chalamet's dance through the desert](https://ew.com/movies/how-dune-choreographed-timothee-chalamet-crossing-the-desert/) [Jason Momoa has watched _Dune_ five times — here's what he's excited for you to see](https://ew.com/movies/jason-momoa-dune-interview-duncan-idaho/) [The sound of sand: How Hans Zimmer and _Dune_ collaborators built their sonic sci-fi world](https://ew.com/movies/the-sound-of-sand-how-hans-zimmer-and-dune-collaborators-built-their-sonic-sci-fi-world/) [A guide to important terms you'll want to know when watching _Dune_](https://ew.com/movies/dune-movie-glossary/) [At home with the Harkonnens: Meet the villains of _Dune_](https://ew.com/movies/dune-villains-dave-bautista-stellan-skarsgard/) [2022 Oscar predictions: Lady Gaga, Kristen Stewart, more contenders to look out for](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/2022-oscar-predictions-contenders-to-watch/) [Check out these 13 gorgeous photos from the set of _Dune_](https://ew.com/movies/dune-behind-the-scenes-set-photos/) [Doing _Dune_ right: Inside the making of the long-awaited (and star-packed) adaptation](https://ew.com/movies/getting-dune-right-cover-story/) [The must-see films and performances from the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival](https://ew.com/movies/film-festivals/tiff-2021-must-list-toronto-film-festival-best-films/) [Divided first _Dune_ reviews hail 'immersive,' 'breathtaking' filmmaking, split on storytelling](https://ew.com/movies/first-dune-reviews-denis-villeneuve/) [Queen of the Desert: How Rebecca Ferguson faced her fears with _Dune_](https://ew.com/movies/rebecca-ferguson-dune-interview/)

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