Kevin Costner's 'Horizon' Chapter 1 Lands on Prime Video as Chapter 2 Remains Frozen

Key facts

• Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 arrives on Prime Video on May 23, 2026.
• Chapter 1 earned $38.8 million worldwide against a $100 million production budget.
• Chapter 2 has been completed but shelved indefinitely since August 2024.
• The film had a $11 million opening weekend from 3,334 theaters.
• Domestic gross was $29 million; international added $9.8 million.
• Chapter 1 became a major streaming hit on Netflix globally in 2025.
• The film originally streamed on HBO Max before moving to Prime Video.
• Horizon premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to negative reviews.

A Second Act on Streaming

Kevin Costner's ambitious western saga, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 23, 2026, after a surprising second life on Netflix. The three-hour epic, which flopped in theaters, has found a new audience online, prompting the streaming shift. The move marks a significant turnaround for a project that was once written off as a costly failure.

The Box-Office Disaster

Released in theaters on June 28, 2024, Horizon Chapter 1 earned just $11 million in its opening weekend from 3,334 screens. Its total theatrical run generated $29 million domestically and $9.8 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $38.8 million. Against a production budget of $100 million, before marketing costs, the film was a financial catastrophe.

Cannes Premiere and Critical Backlash

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with harsh reviews. Negative critical reception contributed to weak ticket sales, despite Costner's stature as a Hollywood legend. The poor performance cast doubt on the viability of the planned multi-chapter saga.

Netflix Redemption

Horizon's fortunes changed dramatically when it arrived on Netflix globally in 2025. The film became an unexpected streaming hit, reaching viewers who had skipped its theatrical release. This success demonstrated that streaming platforms can offer a different demographic than traditional cinemas, allowing failed films to recover.

Prime Video Acquisition

Following its Netflix success, Amazon Prime Video acquired the streaming rights, expanding the film's reach. The migration from HBO Max, which originally hosted the film after its theatrical run, underscores how streaming strategies can revive a project. Costner's ambitious vision, dismissed by critics, resonated with home viewers.

Chapter 2 Remains in Limbo

Despite Chapter 1's streaming revival, Chapter 2 remains frozen indefinitely. The film was completed nearly two years ago but has had no theatrical release date since August 2024. Its future is uncertain, even as the first chapter finds new life online.

What Lies Ahead for the Saga

The streaming success of Chapter 1 may pressure studios to release Chapter 2, but no official plans have been announced. The financial losses from the theatrical release continue to loom large, and the delay raises questions about whether the saga will ever be completed. For now, audiences can only watch the first chapter on Prime Video, hoping for resolution.

The bottom line

• Horizon Chapter 1 streams on Prime Video from May 23, 2026, after a successful Netflix run.
• The film was a box-office bomb, earning $38.8 million against a $100 million budget.
• Chapter 2 is completed but has no release date, shelved since August 2024.
• Negative reviews at Cannes hurt initial ticket sales.
• Streaming platforms provided a second chance for the film, reaching new audiences.
• The saga's future is uncertain, with no word on Chapter 2's release.