Robert Downey Jr. and Timothée Chalamet Set for Epic Box Office Face-Off

Come 18 December 2026, the big screen is shaping up for a proper stoush. After the wild ride that was Barbie and Oppenheimer going head-to-head in 2023, punters are in for another double feature. Marvel’s locked in Avengers: Doomsday, starring Robert Downey Jr., for the same day Warner Bros. is rolling out Timothée Chalamet’s Dune 3. Neither studio’s budging, so it’s all set for a blockbuster brawl between superheroes and sandworms.

Instead of ducking the clash, both sides are leaning in. Fans are already picking favourites, and the hype’s building. At a Q&A in Los Angeles for Chalamet’s new flick Marty Supreme, Downey Jr. addressed the looming box office battle with his trademark dry wit, even coining a cheeky nickname for the day, much like the ‘Barbenheimer’ craze a few years back.

Downey Jr. Brings Iron Man Banter to the Rivalry

During the Q&A, Downey Jr. and Chalamet were asked about their films dropping on the same day. Downey Jr. didn’t miss a beat, taking the mickey out of the situation and keeping things light. He revealed that the teams have already come up with a name for the occasion, saying:

We both have films opening on December 18th, and we decided to coin a name for it. We’re thinking ‘DUNESDAY’.

The crowd lapped it up, and the moment quickly turned from a potential rivalry into a bit of fun. Downey Jr. channelled his inner Tony Stark, showing there’s no bad blood—just a bit of friendly competition. Unlike the tense build-up to the Barbie and Oppenheimer release, this time around, the mood’s much more laid-back. Fans are keen to see which film comes out on top, but it’s all in good humour.

Box Office Prospects: Marvel’s Edge or Dune’s Staying Power?

With both films set to drop on the same day, the big question is which one will pull the bigger crowd. On paper, Marvel’s got the upper hand. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to draw massive numbers, especially with Chris Evans back as Steve Rogers and the X-Men making an appearance. The Marvel fanbase is loyal, and opening weekends are usually huge thanks to all the buzz and spoilers flying around.

But don’t write off Dune 3 just yet. While it might not have the same explosive start, it could build momentum over time. The last time we saw a clash like this, Oppenheimer lost out at the box office but ended up nabbing the Oscar, while Barbie was left empty-handed. Dune 3 could follow a similar path—maybe not the biggest earner at first, but a strong contender come awards season.

Details on the Films and What’s at Stake

Here’s a quick look at the basics for both films:

Dune: Part Three is directed by Denis Villeneuve and produced by Warner Bros., while Avengers: Doomsday comes from Joe and Anthony Russo at Marvel Studios. Both are set for release on 18 December 2026.

With all the hype, it’s anyone’s guess which film will come out on top. Dune 3 might get overshadowed at first, much like Oppenheimer did, but could still walk away with the critical acclaim. Meanwhile, Marvel’s latest is shaping up to be a must-see for fans who don’t want to miss any major plot twists.

So, which one will Aussie audiences back at the box office?

Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three both hit cinemas on 18 December 2026.