Kevin Costner’s Horizon Ropes in Streaming Success to Start 2025
Kevin Costner‘s Western film series, Horizon: An American Saga, gets rewarded for saddling up on streaming following its box-office collapse. Chapter 1of Horizon breaks new ground following its recent Netflix debut, offering some hope before the eventual release of Chapter 2.
Via FlixPatrol, Chapter 1 ranks #10 on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies chart, achieving the feat after being added to the streaming service in late 2024. This news comes after the first Horizon installment originally found solace in the streaming world last summer, debuting on Max when New Line Cinema and Costner’s Territory Pictures pulled the film from theaters. The film also topped multiple video-on-demand (VOD) charts last July.
Costner hoped Chapter 1 would successfully culminate his lifelong passion project, having first commissionedHorizon in 1988 and pitched it to Disney following his 2003 Western, Open Range. Costner invested significantly in Horizon, with each of the first two films in his planned four-part series carrying a $50 million budget. The Western, which chronicles the expansion of the American West during the Civil War era, also boasts notable names such as Avatar franchise lead Sam Worthington, Michael Rooker, Jena Malone and Giovanni Ribisi.
What Will Happen With the Future of Horizon?
However, Horizon looks closer to being put out to pasture than having enough giddy-up to see itself out over its four-film arc. Chapter 1 failed to make back its $50 million budget while garnering mixed reviews (51% on Rotten Tomatoes), prompting its quick switch to the digital market. Chapter 2 was supposed to debut in cinemas last August, less than two months after Chapter 1 premiered. However, Chapter 2 was pulled from its release date amid Chapter 1‘s struggles, with no new premiere window announced. The second installment subsequently premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last September.
Costner has been defiant in his defense of Horizon, believing critics have been “dismissive” of the film and its vision, claiming the movies will have stronger rewatch value over time. While reports claimed Chapter 3 production stalled due to financial constraints after commencing in Utah last May, Costner is committed to finishing the movie and has been developing Chapter 4. Meanwhile, Costner hopes to unveil a behind-the-scenes documentary exploring the making of Chapter 1. The documentary hasn’t been picked up yet, though it’s reported that Max is open to acquiring the rights.
Horizon is Costner’s latest involvement in the Western genre, having built his reputation on several hits, most notably, Dances With Wolves, which won him the Best Director Academy Award. Costner has also enjoyed small-screen success, winning a Golden Globe for his lead performance in the Taylor Sheridan Western drama series, Yellowstone. Costner was involved with Yellowstoneuntil his acrimonious departure during Season 5 due to creative differences with Sheridan and a salary dispute.
Fans can stream Chapter 1 on Netflix and Max.
