“Dune: Part Three” to overtake “Avengers: Doomsday”: when the year’s biggest blockbusters might reach Russia

Russian moviegoers likely will not have to choose which blockbuster to see first.

“Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part Three” will part ways in their CIS release dates. Denis Villeneuve's film will be released on December 17, 2026, while the new “Avengers” will arrive on January 7, 2027. Thus, the local “Dunesday,” as the clash between the two major December blockbusters had already been dubbed, will not take place.

Considering that following the departure of Hollywood studios, major foreign releases appear in Russian movie theaters unofficially, with CIS countries remaining one of the primary sources of Russian-dubbed copies, these dates can also serve as a benchmark for domestic viewers.

Usually, such films reach Russian screens about a week after their CIS premiere. If this delay persists, “Dune” can be expected in theaters starting December 24, and “Avengers” from January 14. However, the New Year holidays may introduce their own adjustments, as cinemas prioritize domestic releases during this period. For instance, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” debuted in Kazakhstan on December 19, 2025, but only reached Russian screens on January 15, 2026.

More precise dates will become known closer to the premieres.