Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: Chapter 1’ Arrives on Netflix

Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” which struggled at the box office this summer, has made a quiet arrival on Netflix. The film, which was released in theaters on June 28, faced a rapid transition to digital streaming, first becoming available via premium video on demand (PVOD) on July 16 before landing on Netflix on Monday. As the first entry in a planned four-part Western saga, Horizon: An American Saga chronicles a sweeping, multi-faceted 15-year period that spans the pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West.

Costner, who also serves as the film’s director and co-writer, has faced mixed reactions to the project. The actor, best known for his role in the hit series Yellowstone, had high hopes for the saga’s success. Unfortunately, Horizon: Chapter 1 failed to live up to those expectations. Despite Costner’s star power, the film wrapped up its theatrical run in August with a global box office total of only $31 million, far below the $50 million production budget before prints and advertising, according to tracking site The Numbers.

There has been some disagreement over the film’s total production costs. While The Numbers estimated the film’s production budget at $50 million, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) claims the total cost, including prints and advertising (P&A), reached $100 million. It has also been reported that Costner invested $38 million of his own money to help finance Horizon, with two private investors providing the remainder of the funding. These financial setbacks have certainly dampened the outlook for the saga, but the film’s appearance on Netflix may provide a new opportunity for it to reach a broader audience.

Netflix users can now stream Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, though only subscribers can access it. The service offers three subscription plans: a standard ad-supported plan priced at $6.99 per month for two supported devices, an ad-free plan for $15.49 per month with two supported devices, and a premium plan that costs $22.99 per month for four supported devices. Subscribers to any of these plans will be able to watch the film at their convenience.

Before making its way to Netflix, Horizon had its streaming debut on August 23 on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max platform, where it was made available for video on demand (VOD). The film’s release on these platforms, however, could not reverse its disappointing performance in theaters, where it was distributed by New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Despite a star-studded cast, including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Michael Rooker, and Danny Huston, the film has struggled to generate positive reviews, both in theaters and in early streaming responses.

As for the future of the saga, the fate of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 remains uncertain. Following the lackluster reception of the first installment, Costner’s production company, Territory Pictures, and distributor New Line Cinema decided to pull the second chapter of the saga from its planned mid-August release date. The decision was made to allow more time for audiences to discover the first chapter, especially through streaming options like PVOD and Max. A spokesperson for New Line Cinema confirmed the decision, stating, “Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema have decided not to release Horizon: Chapter 2 on August 16 to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks.”

While Horizon 2 was pulled from its original release schedule, the film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 7. Much like the first chapter, Horizon 2 received poor reviews from critics in Venice, further dampening enthusiasm for the continuation of the saga.

Despite these challenges, Costner remains committed to the broader Horizon series. The first film’s relatively underwhelming performance at the box office and subsequent streaming success have not dissuaded the actor from continuing with the project. However, with mixed critical reception and the financial strain placed on the production by Costner himself, it remains to be seen how successful the subsequent chapters of Horizon will be, both in theaters and on digital platforms.

As of now, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 remains available for streaming on Netflix. Its future on the platform may hinge on whether audiences take to the film more readily than theatergoers did. Whether or not Horizon 2 will eventually see its planned release date or be further delayed is still up in the air, with the saga’s trajectory closely tied to the reception of its initial installments.

For now, fans of Kevin Costner’s work, particularly those who enjoyed his performance in Yellowstone, may want to give Horizon a chance to see where this sprawling Western saga goes. With Chapter 1 now streaming, it will be interesting to see if its digital success can help breathe new life into this ambitious project, which still has two more chapters to go.