Those planning to see the Dune movie are wondering if they need to read the books first. The Dune franchise has a 55-year history, and it can be confusing for newcomers to figure out where the new film fits. Some might think they need to read at least the first book in the series to get some context.
Do I need to read the books before watching Dune (2021)?
Those planning to watch Dune (2021) don’t need to read the books beforehand. The film is based on the first half of the first book in the series. Since this is the original beginning of the Dune saga, there’s no need to prep before viewing it.
That’s not to say there’s nothing gained from reading the books. Unfortunately, the movie ends before the conclusion of the first book. Those who want to know what happens might not want to wait several years for the second part to be made. Fortunately, the film follows the book closely enough that most fans will be satisfied by the ending presented in the text.
Dune is a jumping-off point for a massive series, and those who enjoy the movie and read the first book will likely want to continue reading. The main series (written by Frank Herbert) is:
- Dune
- Dune Messiah
- Children of Dune
- God Emperor of Dune
- Heretics of Dune
- Chapterhouse: Dune
Frank Herbert died before completing the story. Fortunately, his son, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, finished it out in Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune.
Aside from the main series, there’s the Prelude to Dune, Legends of Dune, Heroes of Dune, Great Schools of Dune, and The Caladan Trilogy series. These fill out parts of the timeline that the main series didn’t cover and form an expanded lore for the franchise.
