The 11 Best Desert Movies To Watch In Preparation For Dune

“You see, my climate demands a special attitude towards water. You are aware of water at all times. You waste nothing that contains moisture.”

Frank Herbert, Dune

ST. GEORGE — For those unfamiliar, Dune is a 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. The story focuses on the Atreides royal family, and their struggles over a valuable desert planet called Arrakis (aka Dune). There’s magical space drugs. Giant worms. Knife fights. Betrayal. Honor. Romance. Everything you would ever want in a book, honestly.

Dune has been adapted for the big screen, and the film directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) will be released in theaters and on HBO Max October 22 (but Villeneuve really wants you to see it in theaters).

Given that St. George is a desert town, I have a particular fondness for films with desert settings.

With the release of 2021’s Dune, we have compiled (in no particular order) a list of other great movies that take place in the desert sands and sun — to help you get in the mood for Shai-Hulud (it’s a Dune reference and it rhymes, trust me on this one).

1. Dune (1984)

Dune was adapted into a film in 1984 by director David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive). It was poorly received at the time, but today has a loyal cult fan following. You can stream Dune (1984) on HBO Max (but it may spoil the new movie for you). Like the new movie, the desert planet of Arrakis is the main setting for the film.

Dune / 1984 / 2h 17m / Rated PG-13

2. Rango

Rango, in my opinion, is a severely underrated film. It follows the tale of a chameleon and his quest for identity as he tries to save the old west town of Dirt. It’s hilarious, the voice acting is stellar, and the score is excellent. The movie deals with themes of drought and the desert landscape features heavily throughout. Rango can be streamed on Netflix.

Rango / 2011 / 1h 47m / Rated PG

3. High School Musical 2

Perhaps an unorthodox choice for this list, but hear me out. HSM2 in my opinion is better than the original. The stakes are higher. The tension is ratcheted up. The musical numbers are captivating. And the setting? It was filmed in St. George’s very own Entrada at Snow Canyon country club. It was the most commercially successful Disney Channel movie to date, outperforming the original by more than ten million dollars. HSM2 is streamable on Disney Plus.

High School Musical 2 / 2007 / 1h 51m / Rated G

4. Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia is a film about the true story of T.E. Lawrence, a colonel in the British army who was instrumental in campaigns in Syria and Arabia during World War 1. Lawrence of Arabia maybe more than any other film on this list fits the description of “epic.” It’s really quite a spectacle. Be prepared for quite the time commitment though.

Lawrence of Arabia / 1962 / 3h 42m / Rated PG

5. Mad Max: Fury Road

It would be oversimplifying to call Mad Max: Fury Road a two-hour car chase through the desert… but even if that’s all it was, would that be a bad thing? The action in this movie is non-stop. Fury Road was a massive hit when it came out, and received wide acclaim for its amazing blend of practical effects and CGI. Mad Max: Fury Road is streaming on HBO Max.

Mad Max: Fury Road / 2015 / 2h / Rated R

6. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Another local classic. This story of an incredibly charismatic outlaw duo was filmed in Southern Utah, including at the Grafton ghost town near Springdale. Train and bank robberies, comedy, and on-screen chemistry that’s rare as heck these days. Now I’ve got “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” stuck in my head. Streaming on Amazon Prime and Paramount Plus.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid / 1969 / 1h 50m / Rated PG

7. Sahara

Matthew McConaughey. Treasure boat lost in the desert. A mysterious disease. Sahara got mixed reviews and has a complicated legacy due to legal issues with the film and a poor box office showing. But the overall consensus is that it is a fun action movie, with a pretty excellent cast. And that awesome sand sailing scene!

Sahara / 2005 / 2h 4m / Rated PG-13

8. The Mummy

The Mummy is one of my favorite movies of all time, and not just because Rachel Weisz as Evelyn Carnahan was my first movie crush. This movie feels like a movie. A classic popcorn and big screen kind of adventure. It is so much fun to watch, and everything about this movie is perfect. Streaming on HBO Max.

The Mummy / 1999 / 2h 4m / Rated PG-13

9. Palm Springs

What if Groundhog Day took place in the desert… and also someone was trying to kill Bill Murray the whole time? This is the bold question asked by Palm Springs. The film stars Andy Samberg (who also co-produced) and Cristin Milioti as a witty pair stuck in a temporal loop. It’s gonna be a beautiful wedding! As a Hulu-produced movie, Palm Springs is only streaming on Hulu.

Palm Springs / 2020 / 1h 30m / Rated R

10. Holes

Shia LaBeouf stars in his film debut as Stanley Yelnats, a boy stuck digging holes in the desert trying to break a curse of bad luck on his family. Dulé Hill, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Henry Winkler and more star in this intensely quotable movie based on the book by Louis Sachar. CGI lizards and over the top acting are just the icing on the cake. Streaming on Disney Plus.

Holes / 2003 / 2h / Rated PG

11. Raiders of the Lost Ark

The best for last? Raiders was the debut film for everyone’s favorite Nazi-punching treasure-hunting archaeologist. I wish I could forget this film and see it again for the first time, but alas. I’ll just have to settle for endless rewatches. Like any good Indy film the movie spans the globe, but the bulk takes place in the deserts of Egypt. What more can I say? It’s Indiana Jones! Streaming on Paramount Plus.

Raiders of the Lost Ark / 1981 / 1h 55m / Rated PG

Honorable Mention: Raising Arizona. I don’t care what anyone says, that movie rocks. Aiyeeeee!

Did we miss any? What are your favorite movies set in the desert?

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