Avengers Doomsday Vs Dune 3: Why Is Warner Bros Not Ready To Avoid 2026's Biggest Theatrical Clash Against Marvel?

Avengers: Doomsday released its first official teaser confirming Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers aka Captain America. Disney's much-awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe installment is set to release on December

18, 2026. And if you thought this would make it one of the biggest weekends for audience at the theatres, there's more. Doomsday is set for the biggest onscreen clash of the year with Dune: Part Three. Amid rumours that Warner Bros was thinking of shifting Dune 3 due to the mega Marvel movie, the news is, NO! The studio, that's already undergoing an acquisition deal with Netflix, is reportedly not changing its plan and Dune: Part Three will hit the theaters on the same day: December 18, 2026.

Avengers Doomsday and Dune Part Three: The big clash

Both Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three are the most anticipated movies for Marvel and Warner Bros respectively. With heavy stakes riding on the two tentpoles, fans were wondering if the banners would share the opening weekend or if one movie would move. But now that Dune 3 is sticking to its original plan, it might be a massive clash, one of the biggest seen in Hollywood in recent times.

Why is Warner Bros not ready to move Dune 3?

On a recent episode of The Hot Mic, Jeff Sneider stated that Warner Bros is adamant about not moving Dune 3 from December 18, 2026. Matt Belloni reiterated on The Town podcast, that the studio isn't budging since they picked the date first in the planning process. Also, the date reportedly fits the overall franchise schedule, and hence shifting Dune 3 would disrupt marketing plans and post‑production timelines for Warner Bros. Dune 3 wrapped up production in November 2025, and is currently in its visual effects, sound mixing, and colour grading process. Considering these steps are a long process, a new release window would lead to delays.

About Dune: Part Three Vs Avengers: Doomsday

Dune 3 is directed by Denis Villeneuve and adapts Frank Herbert's Dune: Messiah. Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday has been in the making for over a year. All the events that have thus far occurred in the MCU post its Infinity Saga lead up to the events of this new Avengers film that brings back Robert Downey Jr as its main villain, Doctor Doom.