‘Dunesday’ hype ignites after Robert Downey Jr.’s ‘Avengers’ and Timothée Chalamet’s ‘Dune’ clash

Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet joked about ‘Dunesday’ as ‘Avengers’ and ‘Dune’ land on the same release date

Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet have weighed in on what could be one of the biggest cinematic events of 2026, playfully embracing the notion of a box office face-off between Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three. Both blockbuster tentpoles are scheduled to open on December 18, 2026, and the two stars have already coined a nickname for the occasion: ‘Dunesday’.

Speaking at an event in Los Angeles, where Chalamet’s recent film was showcased, Downey pointed out that their movies share the same release date and suggested the moniker as a fun way to describe it. “We both have films opening on December 18,” he said, before adding with a laugh, “We’re thinking Dunesday… We’ll see if we’re still friends by then.” That comment drew laughs and a warm reaction from the crowd, emphasising the playful rivalry between the sci-fi and superhero franchises.

The simultaneous launches of two of the year’s most anticipated films have already sparked comparisons to the cultural phenomenon Barbenheimer from 2023, when Barbie and Oppenheimer debuted on the same day and became a massive shared pop culture moment. Fans and industry observers are closely watching whether Dunesday can create a similar buzz as both casts, marketing teams and studios prepare for a December release packed with box office potential.

Avengers: Doomsday sees Downey Jr. return to the Marvel fold in a major role as part of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Dune: Part Three, starring Chalamet, concludes Denis Villeneuve’s sweeping adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal science-fiction saga. The timing has led to intense speculation about how audiences will split their attention, with some predicting fierce competition and others hopeful that both films will benefit from proximity rather than suffer for it.

Whether Dunesday becomes a cultural moment on par with Barbenheimer remains to be seen, but the enthusiasm from Downey Jr. and Chalamet, and the early online chatter, shows that the industry is already readying for a blockbuster December. Fans have begun coining hashtags, creating mash-up artwork and debating box office outcomes, while marketing teams for both films are undoubtedly tracking the growing buzz as they build toward the year’s biggest release date.