After the unforgettable “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, Hollywood is preparing for its next big box office showdown — and it’s arriving just in time for Christmas. Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three are both set to hit theatres on December 18, 2026, and stars Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet are already embracing the competition with humor and confidence.
The two actors recently appeared together at a special screening of Chalamet’s upcoming sports drama Marty Supreme in Los Angeles on January 14. Instead of avoiding the topic of their films’ upcoming release-date clash, Downey and Chalamet leaned into it, proving that healthy rivalry can coexist with mutual respect.
Addressing the audience, Downey jokingly revealed that they’ve already coined a name for the cinematic collision. “We both have films opening on December 18, and we decided to name it… Dunesday,” he announced. The crowd responded with laughter, and Downey followed up with another playful remark: “We’ll see if we’re still friends by then,” gesturing toward Chalamet, who smiled in agreement.
While the moment was lighthearted, the industry is taking the clash seriously. Major multiplex chains may soon face scheduling dilemmas, as both films are expected to dominate global screens. Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three represent two of the biggest franchises in modern cinema, each carrying massive fanbases and billion-dollar expectations.
Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet at the ‘MARTY SUPREME’ screening at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/SbNFjmrDvW
— Timothée Chalamet Updates (@timotheeupdates) January 15, 2026
The situation echoes the now-iconic 2023 box office event known as “Barbenheimer,” when Barbie and Oppenheimer released on the same day. Rather than hurting each other, the unexpected pairing turned into a cultural phenomenon, driving fans to watch both films and igniting viral trends across social media. Together, Barbie and Oppenheimer amassed a staggering $2.5 billion worldwide, far surpassing early predictions.
Hollywood insiders are now betting on a similar effect with the upcoming Marvel-versus-Dune face-off. With Christmas holiday crowds, IMAX demand, and global anticipation all in play, December 18, 2026, could become another historic day for cinema.
Downey and Chalamet’s public camaraderie has only added to the excitement. Instead of rivalry, they’ve chosen playful cooperation — a gesture that fans are celebrating as the birth of another pop-culture moment in the making.
Whether audiences will crown Marvel or Dune as the ultimate box office champion remains to be seen. But one thing is already certain: Dunesday is officially on the calendar, and the world will be watching.
