In contrast to its disappointing run in cinemas, Kevin Costner’s latest Western has gained a substantial viewership on Netflix.

Although the Western genre hasn’t been particularly trendy over recent years, Kevin Costner has single-handedly championed the preservation of cowboy films in theatres.

Initially, his debut Western was titled Silverado, released in 1985, which played a significant role in establishing him as a prominent figure within the genre. Subsequently, Costner took on the roles of both director and lead actor in Dances With Wolves. This production turned out to be a massive success, both critically and commercially, and it even garnered seven Academy Awards, among them the prestigious award for Best Picture.

After Wyatt Earp and Open Range, along with the critically-acclaimed Hatfields and McCoys, there was a lull in the Western genre. However, the scene changed when Horizon appeared.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is a Netflix hit

Initially, taking on ‘Horizon’ was a significant risk for Kevin Costner, an investment that didn’t immediately yield returns. However, as detailed in our article about 2024’s major cinematic trends, Costner chose to split this grand saga into several installments and allegedly invested around $40 million of his personal funds into its production.

In its initial release, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” was met with moderate criticism at the Cannes Film Festival and premiered in cinemas in June. However, it only managed to earn $38.2 million against a production budget of approximately $50 million, considering promotional and advertising costs, this indicates a significant financial loss.

It’s unfortunate, as we were enthusiasts of the initial film, expressing in our Horizon review that “even with its slow-moving rhythm and disjointed narrative, there is a certain enjoyment derived from the film’s heartfelt sincerity and the messages it conveys about grand, passionate endeavors born out of love.

Although the situation seems grim for the franchise, there’s a glimmer of hope as Chapter 1 skyrocketed to become Max’s most successful movie upon its release on the streaming platform. Horizon made its Netflix debut on December 30, 2024, and has since lingered near the top of the rankings. At present, it holds the fourth spot in the charts.

The positive reception of Horizon Chapter 2, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and scheduled for release in 2025, is promising. Additionally, production on Chapter 3 began back in May.

Certainly, Kevin Costner is eager to film Chapter 4 as well. The larger the audience that views the initial release on Netflix, the greater the likelihood of his dream coming true.

If you’re craving more “Horizon,” check out Kevin Costner’s explanation as to why the poor performance of Chapter 1 isn’t a concern, along with our take on the regrettable choice that tarnishes the finale of “Horizon.

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2025-01-09 15:48