Concerns Over 'Dune 3' and 'Avengers: Doomsday' Sharing Dec. 18

Two major films — Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three — are set to open on the same day, Dec. 18, 2026, raising questions about how theaters will allocate a limited number of screens toward the end of the year. Warner Bros. and Marvel have both held the date: recently released posters for Dune: Part Three carry Dec.

18, and Marvel has given no sign it will move. Studios have played this game before; in 2016 Warner moved Batman v Superman to avoid a clash with Captain America: Civil War. Exhibitors warn smaller titles could lose showtimes, and say the biggest screens — Premium Large Format — have already been claimed by Dune, which was partly filmed with IMAX cameras.

"Someone's gotta move," one theater executive said. "That's a level of overwhelm that doesn't make sense." The exec also called Doomsday not getting the PLF "insane," calling those pricier seats "free money." Not everyone is worried: another exhibitor called the situation "a win-win," saying regular auditoriums will remain for both films across the Christmas holiday.

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