Steven Spielberg Names Zendaya Epic Among His All-Time Sci-Fi Favorites

So, Steven Spielberg—yep, that Steven Spielberg—is singing the praises of Dune: Part Two. And he isn’t just tossing around polite Hollywood compliments either; he’s gone on record calling it one of the best science fiction movies ever made. For anyone who’s been following Denis Villeneuve’s march through the sands of Arrakis, that’s a pretty huge endorsement.

Spielberg Goes All-In for Dune 2

Spielberg chatted with Empire recently and apparently, he can’t get enough of the new Dune films—especially the sequel. He laid it out like this: 'Recently, I’ve loved the Dune movies. They are among my favorite science-fiction movies, not just recently, but of all time. Especially the second film.'

Let’s just pause and take that in. The guy behind Close Encounters, E.T., and Minority Report is basically calling Dune: Part Two science fiction royalty. It’s not every day Spielberg throws a movie on his personal favorites list, let alone something that came out, like, five minutes ago.

Why Is He So Impressed?

Spielberg didn’t just drop a compliment and run; he actually went into detail on what makes Villeneuve’s work stand out. First, he called Dune: Part Two 'the best movie Denis has ever made.' That’s a loaded statement considering Villeneuve’s resume is already stacked with Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.

As for comparison, Spielberg made an unusual but interesting link between Villeneuve’s approach and Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming take on Frankenstein. Not an obvious connection stylistically, but, hey, Spielberg sees something deep in how both filmmakers are handling their giant, messy, beloved genre stories.

The Hype for Part Three Is Real

And apparently, Spielberg is just as eager as the rest of us (well, maybe a little more privileged) to see how this epic continues. He’s already expecting Villeneuve to let him watch Dune: Part Three early. The man is a confessed fan, after all.

'I cannot wait to see the third one. I’m sure he’ll show it to me early. I’m such a fan of his.'

A Little More Spielberg Context

If you think this is all just press tour hype, Spielberg has been talking up Dune: Part Two for a while now. On The Director’s Cut podcast earlier this year, he called the film 'a visual epic' and praised its 'deeply, deeply drawn characters.' His verdict: 'You have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.'

Who’s Doing What Next?

• Spielberg is about to step behind the camera again with Disclosure Day, which is his first directing gig since The Fabelmans.
• Dune: Part Three (no shock here) is already on the calendar for a December 18, 2026 theatrical release.

So, there you have it. One of the legends of the genre is officially a Villeneuve fanboy—specifically when it comes to sandworms, Zendaya, and those increasingly wild Dune sequels. If you weren’t already hyped, maybe now’s the time.