This guide represents a complete list of Dune's various canons and how they are prioritized on this wiki. If you are unsure which canon a work belongs to, please consult this guide.
Tier 1[]
Original Dune[]
The "core" canon, comprised of Frank Herbert's original six books written from 1965 to 1985, a short story, and notes for a proposed Dune 7. This includes illustrations from Original Dune novels published before and after Herbert's death, as well as artwork commissioned personally by Herbert.
Works Included:
Tier 2[]
Dune Encyclopedia[]
The Dune Encyclopedia, edited by Dr. Willis E. McNelly, was published in 1984 and directly endorsed by Frank Herbert. Declared non-canon by the Herbert Estate in 2008. Conflicts with information introduced in Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune, which were written after its publication. The book's in-universe framing device allows many of these contradictions to exist without breaking canon through the "unreliable narrator" trope. It is still considered a definitive source by many fans.
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Expanded Dune[]
The prequels, sequels, and interquels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson beginning in 1999 and continuing to the present day. Directly contradicts information present in the Original Dune saga, as well as the Dune Encyclopedia.
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Short Story Collections Comics |
Tier 3[]
Villeneuve's Dune[]
The current cinematic universe produced by Legendary Entertainment, beginning with Dune (2021), directed by Denis Villeneuve. Also includes HBO's Dune: Prophecy. Serves as visual inspiration for many recent Apocryphal works.
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Film/Television |
Comics |
Sci-Fi Miniseries[]
Two made-for-television miniseries produced by the Sci-Fi Channel (later changed to SyFy) in 2000 and 2003, covering the events of Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune.
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David Lynch's Dune[]
David Lynch's film adaptation from 1984, produced by Dino De Laurentis, and some pre-production work begun on a proposed sequel. Served as visual inspiration for many Apocryphal works.
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Films |
Comics |
Tier 4[]
Apocrypha[]
Apocrypha are any works set in the Dune universe that are not part of the above canons. Typically these are licensed products like comic books, video games, board games, or card games that are produced by a third party. Some may take visual inspiration from live-action films (for example, the real-time strategy game Dune 2000--heavily inspired by the aesthetic of David Lynch's Dune, and the survival MMO Dune: Awakening--heavily inspired by Villeneuve's Dune). This category also includes film projects that did not complete production such as Jodorowsky's Dune and the failed Dune (2014 Attempt).
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Films Video Games |
Comics Board Games Card Games Tabletop Games |
Real World[]
Anything pertaining to real world information, such as behind-the-scenes production trivia, actors, directors, artists, etc.
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