Steven Spielberg Names His Favorite Sci-Fi Franchise, and it Has a Sequel Coming Soon

Steven Spielberg has always been a giant in the world of science fiction, and he’s sharing his love for other filmmakers in the genre. In a recent interview with Empire, he named Dune and its sequel among his favorite sci-fi films of all time, praising director Denis Villeneuve for his faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels.

Spielberg said, “Recently, I’ve loved the Dune movies. They are among my favourite science-fiction movies, not just recently, but of all time. Especially the second film.” He added, “I think [Part Two] is the best movie Denis has ever made.” The filmmaker also expressed excitement for the upcoming third installment, saying, “I cannot wait to see the third one. I’m sure he’ll show it to me early. I’m such a fan of his.”

The Dune series, which began in 2021, has been a major hit. The first movie earned six Oscars and received an 83% critic score and 90% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Part Two, released in 2024, performed even better, with a 92% critic score and 95% audience rating, and it won two Oscars. Together, the franchise has grossed $1.12 billion worldwide. Dune: Part Three is scheduled for release on December 18.

Spielberg compared Villeneuve’s approach to the Dune books to Guillermo del Toro’s tribute to Mary Shelley with Frankenstein. “I love the [Dune] books, and I just think his tribute to the books is like Guillermo [del Toro]’s tribute to Mary Shelley with Frankenstein: he honored Mary Shelley as I think Denis honored Frank Herbert,” he said.

Besides talking about sci-fi, Spielberg shared other projects he’s interested in. He revealed he wants to direct a Western, even though he once called the genre dead. Speaking at the SXSW Festival, he teased, “I can’t reveal anything right now, but I have something in development… And it kicks ass. There will be no tropes, I can tell you that. There’s going to be no stereotypes.”

He also expressed interest in making a horror film someday, inspired by movies like Zach Cregger’s Weapons. “I haven’t directed a horror film yet, and I’ve always wanted to, and someday I may. But there have been some great horror films out already that satisfy that itch. When I see a great horror film like Weapons, I don’t have an itch I need to scratch,” Spielberg explained.

Spielberg will return to theaters this summer with Disclosure Day, set to premiere on June 12, and fans can look forward to Dune: Part Three on December 18.

It’s great to see Spielberg appreciating other filmmakers while still staying active in his own work. His excitement for Dune and upcoming projects shows he’s still passionate and curious about storytelling. What do you think about Spielberg calling Dune one of his all-time favorite sci-fi franchises? Share your thoughts in the comments.