So, has the situation with movie dates always been like this? One day the summer is bringing a certain film, and the next it is pushed back to fall like an entire shuffle of the movie release dates. This definitely is the scenario, as seen by two huge and really great films that have just been set up to release on the same day, with one of them an Avenger giving it the sweetest name. Simu Liu, the guy who acted as Shang-Chi, just reacted to the dawn of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’ both being released on May 1, 2026, with one word that will be trending for the next two years for sure – “Prepare for DUNESDAY.”
Dunesday. Doomsday, except for the presence of sandworms. It’s so simple, so appealing, that one might actually wonder why it hasn’t been thought of before now. Nevertheless, it is, after all, Simu who is communicating. He spoke through social media and, as you can guess, the internet has split into two parts, just as it always does. It is the biggest pop culture conflict that has been planned so far that far ahead. A Marvel vs. Denis Villeneuve sci-fi epic duel on the calendar. Who is in your corner?
The tweet was no more than Simu’s reaction, the perfect pairing of words, and that’s it. But the replies are amazing, the replies are where the vibe really is, the words come from. Some gamers are 100% with the idea. One user, Terres Michael, put it in the most perfect way by saying, “Cool name and catchy as well, won’t be surprised if it becomes a hashtag by then.” And, to be honest, they are probably right. By the time 2026 arrives, #Dunesday will be everywhere. Another user called Falcon only noosed the main conflict: “DOOMSDAY vs DUNESDAY.” That is, in fact, the story of the century right there.
However, not everyone is all excited about it. There is always that group, isn’t there? Some people are even skeptical. A comment by a user called MrKelsGame gave a pretty harsh critique, asserting, “That fake hype ain’t gonna help dune 😂 They’re getting buried or delayed.” Ouch. That’s pretty rough. Another one from K_darrell0x1 was even more blunt: “This won’t age well, trust me.” It’s that classic online skepticism – the thought that one of these blockbusters will have to very quietly back down and alter its release date to keep from suffering a large loss at the box office. And with more than two years to go, they might be right, considering that studios can change their minds. The release dates this far in advance are merely provisional.
Then there is the… ambivalence? One person, VIE, sounded extremely annoyed and was like, “Why do they keep on interviewing him for the love of God?” This is understandable but he is a Marvel star commenting on huge Marvel news! He basically is a part of it. On the other hand, some people are just trying to pick their favorite. MarcelTkadlec is definitely Team Dune and simply wrote, “Just DUNE 💪.” And Bernie.E is just looking forward to everything, saying, “These are worth the wait. 🍿” They are right. It doesn’t matter who “wins” that first weekend in May 2026 looks like it could be a historical one for movies if both films do end up being released.
The question then is, what does it mean for us, the audience that just wants to be entertained? It is a matter of choice for us, albeit a very tough one. Are you going to gather the complete Dune saga leading to the Third part, or are you going to rewatch the Infinity Saga to get ready for the new Avengers villain? Or, in a very crazy and expensive way, will you dare to attempt to watch both on the first day? The planning is already causing me some headaches. Nevertheless, the fun part is already there. The memes will be on another level. Many edits that will depict Paul Atreides riding a sandworm with Doctor Strange will come up. It is hard to escape.
The movies’ release just reflects how very far ahead the planning is done. The studios are playing 4D chess with calendar dates, trying to seize the best slots. Locking in May 1st, 2026, is a vital strategic move for both Disney and Warner Bros. It is like declaring war but the kind that leads to us having bags of popcorn. Simu Liu just gave us a beautiful flag to wait under during this long, long wait. Dunesday. Repeat after me. It is just so perfect.
Regardless of whether one film shifts or not, the fact that they are planning this far ahead shows how competitive the gaming and entertainment landscape has become.
