Dune: Prophecy is a major hit on streaming, even though it holds an unfortunate Rotten Tomatoes record for the franchise. Created by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker, the sci-fi TV show takes place 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides, chronicling how Harrkonen sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams) created the Bene Gesserit order. Dune: Prophecy reviews have been somewhat lukewarm from critics, and the show is currently the lowest-rated entry in the franchise on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite a bit of a muted response critically, new data from The Wrap reveals that Dune: Prophecy occupies the number one spot on Samba TV’s Weekly Wrap Report, which covers November 25 – December 1. The chart, which only includes U.S. data, ranks titles based on household reach. Prophecy's win cements Max as a major player in the streaming landscape, as it marks the 11th straight week a Max series occupied the top position.
The Dune show beats titles from Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount+, including Our Little Secret, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, The Madness, A Man on the Inside, and Lioness, among others. Check out the full top 10 list below:
Samba TV’s Weekly Wrap Report
1
Dune: Prophecy
Max
2
Our Little Secret
Netflix
3
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey season 1
Netflix
4
The Madness season 1
Netflix
5
A Man on the Inside season 1
Netflix
6
Lioness season 2
Paramount+
7
Cross season 1
Prime Video
8
Spellbound
Netflix
9
The Merry Gentlemen
Netflix
10
The Great British Baking Show season 12
Netflix
What Dune: Prophecy's Streaming Success Means For The Show
Will The Max Series Continue Beyond Season 1?
As seen in the chart below, Dune: Prophecy's audience score is even lower than its critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, but that evidently hasn't stopped the show from being widely watched. Season 1 consists of only 6 episodes, but its streaming success bodes well for the show's future. Dune: Prophecy season 2 hasn't yet been officially confirmed, but continued placement on Samba TV's top 10 list in the weeks ahead would make a sophomore outing likely.
Dune Franchise Rotten Tomatoes Scores
RT Critics' Score
RT Audience Score
Dune (2021)
83%
90%
Dune: Part Two (2024)
92%
95%
Dune: Prophecy (2024–)
70%
65%
It's possible that a Dune: Prophecy season 2 would be more warmly received by critics. Season 1 had a rocky development, which included changing showrunners, directors, and creative visions, with Dune movie director Denis Villeneuve once attached as a key creative before he ultimately departed. Positive reviews may be secondary to viewership when it comes to a show's success metrics, but they can help determine whether viewers will stick with a project long-term.
Our Take On Dune: Prophecy's Streaming Success
Why The Show Falls Short Compared To Denis Villeneuve's Films
Image via Max
Dune: Prophecy speaks to just how integral Villeneuve has been to bringing the world of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel to life thus far. Without him, the Max show does sometimes feel somewhat generic, and it lacks the epic tone and visuals that he brought to Paul Atreides' story.
That being said, the show is not without its strengths, and these strengths, such as strong performances from the Dune: Prophecy cast, are clearly helping it achieve viewership success. It's not clear whether this success will continue in the weeks ahead, but it is now looking like a Dune: Prophecy season 2 announcement is now looking more likely.
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert's Dune series, this sci-fi epic follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
Cast Emily Watson , Olivia Williams , Jodhi May , Travis Fimmel , Mark Strong , Jade Anouka , Chris Mason , Sarah-Sofie Boussnina , Shalom Brune-Franklin , Faoileann Cunningham , Aoife Hinds , Chloe Lea , Josh Heuston , Edward Davis , Tabu , Yerin Ha
Image via Max 
English (US) ·