Kevin Costner’s $38 Million Western Film Flop Surges on Netflix Global Charts After 6 Months

After a disappointing theatrical performance, Kevin Costner’s latest Western saga is receiving newfound recognition on Netflix, now prominently featured in the platform’s global top 10. This resurgence follows his notable role as John Dutton in the series Yellowstone, which reignited interest in Costner’s contributions to the genre, especially after his unexpected exit from the show.

Costner, who first ventured into Westerns with the 1985 film Silverado, reached iconic status in the cinematic world with his acclaimed performance in the 1990 classic Dances With Wolves. This film not only showcased his acting prowess but also highlighted his directorial talents, earning him Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. While his subsequent endeavors, such as Wyatt Earp and the critically derided The Postman, did not match that earlier success, his 2003 film Open Range marked a return to form, receiving both critical acclaim and moderate box office success.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 Climbs to Netflix’s Global Top 10

A Disappointing $36 Million at the Box Office

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The journey of Horizon: An American Saga has been a long one, taking decades to finally reach audiences with its first chapter, released in 2024. Originally envisioned as a single feature, the story has been expanded into a planned four-film series with an eye-watering budget of $100 million. Costner’s commitment is evident, as he personally invested $38 million into the production. Unfortunately, the film struggled to attract audiences, bringing in only $38.2 million at the box office, barely surpassing Costner’s own financial contributions.

Despite its rocky start in theaters, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 has found an audience on Netflix. It has successfully entered the streaming giant’s Global Top 10 rankings, amassing an impressive 12 million hours of viewing time and 4 million unique viewers within just the first week of its release, landing at the #7 spot as reported by Tudum.

Analyzing Horizon’s Streaming Performance

A Predictable Future Success According to Costner

Actor Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller in Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1. — Image courtesy of Cece Montemayor

In the face of criticism regarding his ambitious four-film project, Costner defended his vision, suggesting that even if the film faltered at the box office, its potential for long-term success was undeniable. He stated in an interview with E! Online in August 2024:

“I’ve faced life with people being dismissive of me. But they can’t be dismissive of Horizon, because now it’s out of their hands. And they might point to the finish line—well, this is what it did at the box office—but I know that this movie is going to play for the next 50 years.”

While Costner remains optimistic about the film’s long-term impact, immediate box office performance is crucial for the continuation of the saga. Following Chapter 1‘s lackluster showing in theaters, Warner Bros. decided to postpone the release of the anticipated Chapter 2, originally slated for August. Additionally, production on Chapter 3 faced setbacks due to financial constraints.

The future of the entire series remains uncertain. Its eventual success may hinge on streaming platforms like Netflix, which could provide the necessary funding to complete subsequent chapters. Although a traditional theatrical release might not be feasible, the opportunity for Costner to see his vision brought to life could still be within reach. With such a promising start on Netflix, there is hope that the streaming service may support Costner in completing his sweeping historical saga.

For further insights, you can reference Tudum.

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