“Kevin Costner Film Becomes Unexpected Streaming Hit Despite Box Office Failure”
A movie’s journey doesn’t end after its opening weekend at the box office, nor is its legacy defined solely by its theatrical run. While the big screen provides the ideal platform for a film’s initial release, its true cultural impact often extends far beyond that. The real test of a film’s enduring appeal is how it resonates with audiences over time—how it builds a lasting fanbase and whether it continues to be quoted long after its theatrical run has ended, even when its physical media copies find their way into discount bins. Classic examples of films that found second lives after box office struggles include It’s a Wonderful Life and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Even The Shawshank Redemption, while not a box-office hit upon its release, later gained immense popularity through cable reruns, ultimately becoming one of the most beloved films of the 20th century.
Kevin Costner, the quintessential star of movies often replayed endlessly on cable, is now experiencing a similar resurgence with his latest box office disappointment, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1. Recently added to Netflix’s library in late December 2024, the film has turned into an unexpected streaming success. Despite grossing a meager $38.2 million worldwide ($29 million from North America) on its $50 million budget earlier in the year, the film has found a second life on the streaming platform. Costner, who financed the epic Western independently, was hoping for better results as Horizon was meant to launch a four-part series. However, with its disappointing box office performance, the second installment, slated for release in August 2024, was canceled, and the third part remains unfinished.
Yet, the film’s Netflix debut has proven to be a different story. In its first week, Horizon shot to the Top 10 streamed movies on the platform. The Western’s sweeping visuals and evocative storytelling make it a perfect fit for the big screen, but it now belongs to a longstanding tradition of films that found a dedicated following on cable. Netflix has become the modern equivalent of networks like TNT, which kept Costner’s films such as JFK and A Perfect World on constant rotation for years.
Additionally, Costner has become a TV icon for older audiences, particularly thanks to the massive success of Yellowstone on the Paramount Network and Peacock. This makes streaming platforms like Netflix a natural home for Horizon, where his core audience is increasingly consuming media. For many, Netflix offers a less intimidating way to engage with an original Western, making it a more accessible avenue for moviegoers who prefer watching content from the comfort of their own homes.
