How to watch Dune online - where to stream the sci-fi epic from home
If you're in the US, you can watch Dune on TV or at the cinema
Want to watch Dune online? Don't worry, it's easy - depending on where you are in the world, anyway. If you're based in the USA, you can stream Dune now on HBO Max if you don't fancy taking a trip to your local movie theater. As for everyone else, well, it is a bit tricker.
First up, the facts: US fans that want to watch Dune online can do so by signing up to HBO Max's Ad-Free tier at $14.99 per month (the cheaper $9.99 version doesn't include access to Warner Bros. premieres). Although this is the streaming service's premium option and costs more, there's nothing stopping you from knocking your membership down to the basic $10 HD option once you've been able to stream Dune. Just remember, it includes ads and doesn't allow you to see the Matrix 4 in December.
- HBO Max (Ad-Free): $14.99 per month
As for everyone else (including UK and Australian readers), we've got bad news: you can't watch Dune online anywhere. In fact, it's a cinema-only release outside of the USA so will require a physical trip to the theater. You'll almost certainly be able to stream Dune eventually, but not yet. Indeed, we can't see it arriving on services like Sky before 2022.
Let's get into specifics, shall we?
How to watch Dune - USA
HBO Max (Ad-Free) | $14.99 per month
You can stream Dune right now on HBO Max, and it should be available for a month or so before disappearing back into the ether. But remember, you'll need the Ad-Free version of the service to watch Dune; the movie isn't available on the cheaper $9.99 tier. Fortunately, there's plenty of other cool shows and films to watch with your subscription - we'd say HBO Max is one of the best streaming services in the USA at the moment thanks to the likes of Friends, Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984, The Sopranos, Zack Snyder's Justice League, Lovecraft Country, Rick & Morty, and more.
How to watch Dune - UK
Is it possible to watch Dune online in the UK right now? Unfortunately, no - there isn't a way of seeing the movie without going to a cinema. While that should change once the film's theatrical run is over, don't expect to stream Dune from home until late December at the very earliest. In fact, we'd be surprised if it turned up before 2022.
When it does finally land, we suspect Brits will be able to watch Dune online with a Sky package or the Sky-owned Now. Why? Simple. Sky has a deal that allows it to stream HBO and Warner Bros. content before anyone else (that's the reason why HBO Max isn't available in the UK yet).
How to watch Dune - Canada
Sorry, friends - you can't watch Dune online in Canada yet. Even though it's sure to appear on a streaming service eventually, it's a theater-only release right now. More specifically, you won't be able to stream Dune until the film's theatrical run is over, which is a minimum of 45 days at the moment.
Where will it appear once that theatrical run is finished, then? Our vote would be Crave, as that service is often the home of HBO content.
How to watch Dune - Australia
Unfortunately for Australian fans, it's impossible to stream Dune online at the moment - the film is a cinema-only release. Due to various pandemic-induced delays, it's also being held back until December 2.
You will be able to watch Dune online via streaming services eventually, though. While that won't be until the movie's theatrical run is over, you can expect it to arrive at some point in 2022.
Is Dune worth watching?
Is Dune worth signing up to HBO Max for, or should you wait until it appears for less on other streaming services? In our opinion, it's definitely worth the sub. As we said throughout our five-star Dune review, it's the adaptation fans have always wanted. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (he of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 fame), this sci-fi epic mixes political intrigue with a great coming-of-age story set against a sprawling desert backdrop.
Taking place in gorgeous locations that double for the far-flung planet of Arrakis, the story (which revolves around control of the universe's most powerful drug, known as 'spice') is suitably rich. It excels at world-building, too; like we mentioned in our review, this is "science fiction to get utterly lost in." And because it's simply the first part of a longer story, there should be plenty more to come.
Want to begin delving into the books while you wait? Check out our guide to the Dune books reading order.
If you'd like a deeper dive on the service, check out our HBO Max prices guide (sadly, the HBO Max free trial was canceled a while back). Looking for other streaming services to try, on the other hand? Don't miss today's best Disney Plus bundles, Hulu prices, and Paramount Plus prices. You can also check out the latest Fubo TV costs and channel packages and ESPN Plus costs via our guides.
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As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.