Dune (Series)

Dune: A Science Fiction Epic

A science fiction media franchise exploring complex themes like politics, religion, ecology and technology in a future involving interstellar travel and powerful noble families battling for control of the galaxy’s most valuable resource.

What is Dune (Series)?

Dune is an expansive science fiction media franchise that originated from the 1965 novel Dune by author Frank Herbert. The series takes place in a future society where noble families rule planets across the galaxy and owe allegiance to the Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe. The most essential and valuable commodity in this universe is melange or ‘the spice’ - a drug that can expand consciousness and extend life. It comes from the desert planet Arrakis, which has been the exclusive property of House Atreides for generations.

The original Dune novel centers on the young noble Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the dangerous but spice-rich planet Arrakis. However, their rivals in House Harkonnen scheme to destroy them with the aid of the galactic Emperor. The story explores complex themes about ecology, technology, politics, betrayal, religion, and more through the lens of competing noble factions and secretive groups like the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, the Spacing Guild, and the mysterious Fremen of Arrakis.

The world of Dune became hugely popular and influenced many subsequent science fiction works. Herbert wrote five sequels detailing political strife across the universe after Paul’s rise to become a powerful leader. The series has spawned books by Herbert’s son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson that provide backstories about the universe and connections to the original saga. There have also been several film and TV adaptations, games, and more, but the novels remain the core of the beloved Dune franchise.

Dune (Series) Features

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