One of the most surprising snubs at this year’s Golden Globe nominations was the exclusion of Dune: Part Two from the highly coveted Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film grossed more than $700 million worldwide and was expected to be a strong contender in the category that celebrates both box office success and cinematic excellence. So why was it missing from the list?
The Golden Globe Box Office Category: What Are the Rules?
Introduced in 2023, the Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category was designed to honor films that have both achieved massive box office success and garnered critical acclaim. To be eligible, films need to gross over $150 million globally, with at least $100 million coming from U.S. domestic earnings. In 2024, 20 films reached the $100 million mark in the U.S., including Dune: Part Two, making its absence from the list even more perplexing.
However, Dune 2 was notably missing from the eight films nominated for this particular category, despite its commercial success. The nominees in the category this year include Alien: Romulus, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Deadpool and Wolverine, Gladiator II, Inside Out 2, Twisters, Wicked, and The Wild Robot.
Why Was ‘Dune: Part Two’ Excluded?
The exclusion of Dune: Part Two came down to a key detail: the studio and filmmakers simply chose not to submit the film for consideration in this category. This was confirmed by Cláudio Alves, a Portuguese film critic and voting member of the Golden Globes, who took to social media to explain the situation. According to Alves, only 16 films were submitted for this category, and Dune: Part Two was not one of them.
He wrote: “Sadly, we could only vote for the films submitted by their distributors in that category. And only 16 films were actually submitted. Neither ‘Longlegs,’ ‘The Substance,’ ‘Terrifier 3,’ nor even ‘Dune: Part Two’ were up for consideration.”
The Strategic Decision Behind the Snub
Why would Dune 2—a global box office success and a critical darling—be left out of the running? The decision was, in fact, a strategic one. Sources close to the film’s campaign suggested that the filmmakers and studio opted not to submit Dune: Part Two for the Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category because they did not want the film to be seen as settling for a “consolation prize.” The category is still new, and some strategists worried it might be viewed as secondary compared to the more prestigious Golden Globe categories, such as Best Picture (Drama) or Best Picture (Musical or Comedy).
Instead, Dune: Part Two focused on its artistic merits and was submitted for more significant nominations. This paid off, as the film did secure nominations for Best Picture (Drama) and Hans Zimmer’s original score, which is notably not eligible for an Oscar. The film’s campaign team also seems to have focused on the possibility of an Academy Award nod, as Dune: Part One was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning six in 2021.
Will ‘Dune: Part Two’ Be Snubbed at the Oscars?
Although Dune: Part Two wasn’t recognized in the Golden Globes box office category, its exclusion hasn’t dampened the film’s chances at other prestigious awards. Dune: Part Two has already earned acclaim for its stunning visuals, direction, and soundtrack. Many believe the film will still land a spot in the Oscars’ Best Picture category, and many are hoping Villeneuve will finally be nominated for Best Director after missing out in 2022 despite the film’s success.
A Strong Year for ‘Dune 2’ Despite the Snub
Despite the absence from the Golden Globe’s box office category, Dune: Part Two remains one of the most significant cinematic achievements of 2023. Not only did it impress audiences and critics alike, but its global box office performance speaks to its wide-reaching appeal. The film’s journey is far from over, and its exclusion from the Golden Globes may not be as devastating as it might first appear.
With the Oscars on the horizon, Dune: Part Two is still a frontrunner, and its exclusion from the Golden Globes could very well turn out to be a footnote in its continued success on the awards circuit.
