Dune and No Time to Die are hitting cinemas in October

Photograph: courtesy Universal (No Time to Die)

After a bit of a dry spell on the international movie scene (apart from Ryan Reynolds’ Free Guy), October is bringing two huge Hollywood releases to the big screen this autumn. According to Variety, sci-fi titan Dune and Daniel Craig’s final James Bond flick No Time to Die have recently secured China release dates in back-to-back weekends at the end of October.

Touted as one of the the year’s most anticipated releases, Dune will be coming to Chinese cinemas on October 22. A big-budget adaption of the first novel in Frank Herbert’s sci-fi series of the same name, Dune comes with some high expectations – and some monster sandworms.

Photograph: courtesy Warner Bros. (Dune)

Directed by a filmmaker with a proven track record in the realm of thinky science fiction Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) its all-star cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin and Oscar Isaac. We’re getting this on the same day as the US on Friday 22 October. And you’ll want to watch it on IMAX.

Photograph: courtesy Warner Bros. (Dune)

Meanwhile, a week later on Friday 29 October, it’s Daniel Craig’s last outing as the world’s most famous spy. His final assignment as 007 in No Time to Die involves more exotic locations, super villains and reunions with those he both loves and hates the most. After multiple delays – it was supposed to hit cinemas all the way back in April 2020 – it’s pretty clear good things come to those who wait. Early reviews are looking promising for Bond buffs with five-star praise already from Time Out’s Global Film Editor Phil De Semlyen who’s named it 'comfortably the best Bond movie since Casino Royale'.

Photograph: courtesy Universal (No Time to Die)

While other big-name releases like Disney Marvel movies Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings may have passed us by, there's still no word on the status of other upcoming super-hero double act Spider-Man: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Both franchises’ previous films did heavy numbers at the China Box Office (Spider-Man: Far from Home finishing with $198,999,549 and Venom with $269,196,633), so are clearly popular here. Let’s hope we’ll be seeing them in cinemas soon.

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