After watching Dune: Part Two, you might be craving more of the Spice Planet.
The 2021 Dune movie by Dennis Villeneuve, starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and Oscar Isaac, reignited interest in the novels begun by Frank Herbert. Then, in 2024, Dune: Part Two rocked audiences’ worlds with its breathtaking and troubling portrayal of Paul’s rise to power. After such a cinematic roller coaster, who wouldn’t want to read the original series—especially since part three, Dune: Messiah, is already in the works?
The Dune saga tells the story of Paul Atreides (Chalamet) as he goes from his home on the water planet Caladan to the desert planet called Arrakis, or “Dune.” On Arrakis, Paul’s life changes drastically when a coup against his father unfolds, and along with his mother, he flees to the desert. There, he learns to live among the indigenous Fremen people, before following a prophecy seeded by an ancient order of priestesses to proclaim himself their savior.
Although the first two movies only cover the first novel, you may be wondering how to tackle the lengthy series—or at least try to. Though these lists might look intimidating, don’t let that stop you. As they say, fear is the mind-killer.
Frank Herbert’s original Dune novels
If you just want to read Frank Herbert’s original Dune novels, here’s where to start.
- Dune (1965)
- Dune Messiah (1969)
- Children of Dune (1976)
- God-Emperor of Dune (1981)
- Heretics of Dune (1984)
- Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
Dune novels in chronological order
After Frank Herbert’s death, his son Brian teamed up with fantasy writer Kevin J. Anderson to keep the Dune saga going. Together, Brian Herbert and Anderson have continued expanding the universe with many more novels. If you want to follow the Dune stories in order of when the events happened, follow this list—though the publication years are also included for those of you who want to read the story in the order it was originally told.
- The Butlerian Jihad by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2002)
- The Machine Crusade by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2003)
- The Battle of Corrin by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2004)
- Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2011)
- Mentats of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2014)
- Navigators of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2016)
- House Atreides by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (1999)
- House Harkonnen by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2000)
- House Corrino by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2001)
- Princess of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2023)
- The Duke of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2020)
- The Lady of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2021)
- The Heir of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2022)
- Dune by Frank Herbert (1965)
- Paul of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2008)
- Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (1969)
- The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2009)
- Children of Dune by Frank Herbert (1976)
- God-Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert (1981)
- Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert (1984)
- Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert (1985)
- Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2006)
- Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (2007)
(featured image: Tor Books/Macmillan)
