David Lynch’s ‘Dune’ Is Leaving Streaming Very Soon (Here’s Where to Watch It)

There are cult classics, and there are David Lynch sci-fi cult classics. Netflix is home to several beloved cult movies, but Lynch’s bizarre 1984 adaptation of one of the heaviest sci-fi novels of all time has been the subject of repeated re-watches on Netflix. We’re, of course, talking about David Lynch’s Dune, which, despite poor reviews and CGI that really hasn’t aged well, has long been a fan favorite of sci-fi fans. Even without Lynch’s name attached, the film has a lot of iconic scenes, memorable moments, and bizarre outfits. Following Lynch’s passing in January of this year, many of his fans flocked to streaming sites to rewatch his most popular works, with 1984’s Dune being a hot favorite. However, Netflix has some bad news for fans of the movie, as you only have a limited time to watch it on the platform.

1984’s Dune is currently streaming on Netflix, but, according to What’s On Netflix, the film will leave the platform at the end of the month. That’s right, David Lynch’s Dune leaves Netflix on October 1, 2025. The film is part of a long list of fan favorites that will exit Netflix at the end of the month, with other notable departures including the Mission: Impossible franchise, The Equalizer, The Prince of Egypt, and The Deer Hunter.

David Lynch leaned heavily into the weird aspects of Frank Herbert’s Dune when he brought the book to life on the big screen. With a cast that included Kyle MacLachlan, Francesca Annis, Patrick Stewart, Everett McGill, Sean Young, Jack Nance, Dean Stockwell, and, of course, Sting, Dune was a Lynchian film through and through. For those who have only seen Denis Villeneuve’s iteration of Dune, prepare for a completely different and totally unique journey with Lynch’s version, even if the characters and some of the scenes remain the same.

‘Dune’s Legacy as a Cult Classic

Universal Pictures

There are a few qualifiers that make a film a cult-classic. Sometimes the movie flopped in theaters but became popular in the years that followed. Other cult classics were misunderstood by critics and became major hits with audiences. In the case of Dune, it’s both. Dune was slated by critics upon its release in 1984, and even by some contemporary critics. The film holds a shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes score of just 36%. But audiences feel a lot stronger about the movie, as it boasts a better 65% audience rating. David Lynch’s Dune is also a fan favorite on Letterboxd.

Dune‘s box office was also shocking, considering how beloved the film now is. When it was released in theaters, David Lynch’s bizarre sci-fi epic grossed just $31 million worldwide. That’s even more shocking considering the film’s budget was estimated to be $40 million.

The film’s poor box office and the incredibly dry and deep source material put Hollywood off from adapting Dune for just under 40 years. That was until Denis Villeneuve stepped up to the challenge, releasing his version of Dune in 2021, which fared far better at the box office and with critics. While many enjoy Villeneuve’s more grounded take on Dune, David Lynch’s version still holds a special place in the hearts of sci-fi fans.