UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 21, 2012

DUNE ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 229-6300

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

On September 21, 2012, Dune Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into employment agreements effective October 1, 2012, with James A. Watt, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Frank T. Smith, Jr., the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”).

The Employment Agreements provide for Mr. Watt to continue to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, at an annual base salary of $550,000, subject to adjustment by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in its sole discretion, and Mr. Smith to continue to serve as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, at an annual base salary of $306,000, subject to adjustment by the Board in its sole discretion.

The initial terms of employment under the Employment Agreements for Mr. Watt and Mr. Smith are thirty-nine (39) months and twenty-seven (27) months respectively, unless earlier terminated.

In addition to their base salary, Mr. Watt and Mr. Smith are eligible for a targeted annual bonus equal to 100% and 70%, respectively, of such officer’s then applicable base salary, as determined by the Board, based upon performance criteria set forth in the Employment Agreements.

In addition, Mr. Watt and Mr. Smith are being awarded 125,000 shares of common stock of the Company and 100,000 shares of common stock of the Company respectively. The shares of common stock granted under the Employment Agreements vest over a three year period, 1/3 each year on the anniversary of the effective date of the Employment Agreements (October 1, 2012).

A copy of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Watt is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Smith is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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