There Are 6 "Dune" Books in the Series — Here Are Their Plots in Order

Updated on 2/23/2023 at 3:20 PM

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"Dune: Part II" is set to hit theaters this November, and it'll continue the story told in 2021's "Dune," which stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem. The two movies are based on Frank Herbert's seminal science fiction saga of the same name, which is actually a series of six books. Though right now only "Dune: Part II" has been announced, director Denis Villeneuve has said that he is interested in adapting more of the books for the screen.

"I always envisioned three movies," he told Entertainment Weekly in 2021. "It's not that I want to do a franchise, but this is 'Dune,' and 'Dune' is a huge story. In order to honor it, I think you would need at least three movies. That would be the dream. To follow Paul Atreides and his full arc would be nice." The first "Dune" movie only covered the first half of the first book, "Dune," so there is still much more for Villeneuve to cover in the future.

If you're interested in reading the "Dune" books, we've put together a list of all six "Dune" books in order, alongside their general plot. Herbert published the first book in 1965 and released the last one 20 years later. After his death, his son Brian Herbert worked with Kevin J. Anderson to publish more novels based on his dad's notes, but we're only rounding up the main six here. Ahead, see all of the "Dune" books in order.

"Dune" Books in Order

"Dune" (1965)

The first book in Herbert's six-part series, "Dune" ($10), sets the stage for this incredible science-fiction saga. In the first book, we meet the main character, Paul Atreides, the heir of a noble family who rules Arrakis, an inhospitable planet. When his family is betrayed, his journey truly begins.

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"Dune Messiah" (1969)

In "Dune Messiah" ($10), Paul has become Emperor of the known universe. He possesses incredible power and is worshiped as a religious icon — and yet, conspiracy and political dissent threaten his reign, his queen, and his unborn heir.

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"Children of Dune" (1976)

The "Children of Dune" ($10) refers to twin siblings Leto and Ghanima Atreides, the children of Paul, who disappeared nine years ago. Like their father, the twins possess supernatural abilities, but their aunt Alia currently rules in their father's place. As dissent threatens to steal her throne, she believes that unlocking the twins' power will help her maintain control of her empire.

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"God Emperor of Dune" (1981)

In "God Emperor of Dune" ($10), 3,500 years have passed, and yet Paul's son Leto still rules. To save humanity, he sacrificed his own by merging with a sandworm, making him almost immortal. But after so many years, his morality is as inhuman as his appearance, and Siona, a member of the Atreides family, is leading a rebellion against him.

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"Heretics of Dune" (1984)

Leto Atreides is dead, and 1,500 years have passed when "Heretics of Dune" ($10) picks up. The planet Arrakis and the Atreides empire are crumbling. A girl named Sheeana, who possesses supernatural abilities, rises to prominence in the planet's wastelands, and her story fulfills a prophecy foretold by the God Emperor Leto.

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"Chapterhouse: Dune" (1985)

In "Chapterhouse: Dune" ($10), the final installment of the Dune series, the planet Arrakis has been destroyed. What remains of the old empire has been taken over by a violent cult known as the Honored Matres. The only threat to their power is the Bene Gesserit, a faction of the cult that's working to master sandworm breeding. If they do, they'll control melange, or spice, the greatest commodity in the galaxy.

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