Horizon and Civil War Battle for Max’s Top Film Spot

Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 and the dystopian thriller Civil War are currently locked in a battle for the top spot on Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, Max, as the most-watched movies. Both films, which have gained considerable attention after their respective theatrical releases, are now vying for the crown of most-viewed content on the platform.

Costner’s Horizon, a sprawling Western epic, faced challenges at the box office but found new life in digital streaming. The film initially debuted in theaters on June 28, but its performance fell short of expectations. In response, Warner Bros. quickly shifted its strategy, making Horizon available via premium video on demand (PVOD) just a few weeks later, on July 16. Following this digital release, the film transitioned to Max on August 23, opening it up to a wider streaming audience.

While Horizon had a lackluster run in theaters, it has managed to capture the attention of viewers on Max, thanks to Costner’s star power and the genre’s enduring popularity. Costner, whose career has been defined by his roles in Westerns, returns to the director’s chair with Horizon, delivering a narrative that spans decades and explores the rugged, often brutal, history of the American West. The film is the first of four planned chapters, with Costner aiming to tell a sweeping saga through multiple installments.

Meanwhile, Civil War, which was released earlier in the year, followed a different trajectory. Directed by Alex Garland, the dystopian thriller premiered in theaters on April 12 to strong reviews and quickly became a commercial success. Civil War continued to generate buzz even after leaving theaters, moving to PVOD on May 24. The film’s final migration to Max occurred on September 13, marking its streaming debut.

Civil War benefits from its association with indie powerhouse A24, known for producing critically acclaimed and often provocative films. A24’s partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery has given Max the exclusive opportunity to stream its releases as they move into the on-demand phase. This arrangement has proven to be mutually beneficial, as A24 films tend to perform well with streaming audiences, further solidifying the studio’s growing reputation.

Both Horizon and Civil War are currently trending on Max, bringing significant viewership to the platform. According to Max’s rankings from Monday, Civil War secured the top spot as the most-watched film on the service, while Horizon followed closely behind in second place. While Max does not provide exact viewership figures or streaming hours, the prominence of both films on the platform’s Top 10 list is indicative of their popularity.

Interestingly, the competition between Horizon and Civil War extends beyond just viewer preferences; it also highlights the evolving landscape of film distribution and consumption. In recent years, the rise of streaming has allowed films that may not have performed well at the box office to find a second wind with digital audiences. For films like Horizon, which struggled in theaters, the pivot to streaming has become an essential strategy in recouping production costs and generating long-term success.

As Civil War and Horizon dominate Max’s most-watched list, other films are also benefiting from the platform’s diverse content offerings. Max’s Top 10 most-watched films feature a mix of new releases and timeless classics. At No. 3 is the 2015 sci-fi drama The Martian, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. The film, which was a critical and commercial hit upon its original release, has remained a favorite among viewers, particularly in the sci-fi genre.

Following The Martian is Tim Burton’s supernatural comedy Beetlejuice from 1988, which holds the No. 4 spot. The resurgence in Beetlejuice‘s viewership can be attributed to the recent release of its long-anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which debuted in theaters on September 6. The new installment in the franchise has been a box office success, earning $187.7 million in North American theaters as of the latest figures. This renewed interest in the Beetlejuice franchise has also translated to increased streaming of the original film on Max.

Rounding out the Top 5 is The Watchers, a 2024 horror thriller that premiered on Max on August 30. Its chilling storyline and suspenseful atmosphere have made it a hit with horror fans, further securing its place in the top tier of Max’s offerings.

Other notable films in Max’s Top 10 list include The Boy and the Heron, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2023 and currently sits at No. 6. The 2016 sequel Independence Day: Resurgence comes in at No. 7, while Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, released in 2024, follows at No. 8. The latter is a prequel to George Miller’s critically acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road and has drawn significant interest from fans of the franchise.

At No. 9 is X-Men: Apocalypse, the 2016 superhero film from Fox’s Marvel catalog. Despite mixed reviews upon its release, the film continues to attract viewers due to its connection to the broader X-Men universe. Finally, DreamWorks’ 2010 animated hit Shrek Forever After rounds out the Top 10. The enduring appeal of the Shrek franchise ensures that it remains a staple of family-friendly viewing on Max.

As streaming continues to redefine how audiences consume movies, the competition between Horizon and Civil War illustrates the growing importance of digital platforms in determining a film’s long-term success. While box office performance remains a crucial metric, the ability of films to capture streaming audiences can ultimately define their legacy in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.