It’s hard to believe that just six months ago, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 premiered in theaters. A true passion project for Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning filmmaker not only wrote and directed the film but also financed much of it himself. Boasting an all-star ensemble cast and significant pre-release anticipation, Horizon seemed poised to make a major impact. Yet, despite its pedigree and build-up, the film fell short of box-office expectations. So, what went wrong, and will we ever get to see Chapter 2?
What Happened With Horizon: Chapter 1?
The straightforward answer is that audiences didn’t show up in theaters. Released in June, the film garnered mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike, resulting in a lackluster box office total of just $38.2 million. Originally, Chapter 2 was slated for release in August 2024, just a few months later, but it was swiftly pulled from the release calendar.
At the time, the strategy seemed to shift toward leveraging digital platforms and streaming to build a broader audience for Chapter 1 and, by extension, boost interest in Chapter 2. To some extent, this move showed promise. Horizon: Chapter 1 reached the top spot on digital and VOD charts when it became available, and also reached the top spot on Max in August. Most recently, the film arrived on Netflix on December 30, offering a fresh opportunity to capture the attention of new viewers.
However, we don’t seem to yet be any closer to an official release date for Chapter 2.
When Will We See Chapter 2?
At this point, it’s unclear when audiences will get to see Horizon: Chapter 2. What we do know is that the film exists and is complete, having been screened at the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2024. However, whether it will receive a wide theatrical release, a limited run, or go straight to digital remains uncertain. While Kevin Costner has always envisioned the Horizon films as theatrical experiences, the lukewarm performance of Chapter 1 might force a reevaluation of that plan.
As a fan of Chapter 1, I could see the ambitious vision Costner had for the film. It was always intended as the opening chapter of a much larger story. Unfortunately, this seems to have been lost on some audiences, who found the multiple subplots and expansive cast of characters confusing. Perhaps the entire saga would be better suited to a streaming series, where viewers might be more receptive to its sprawling narrative and longer storytelling format.
Right now, all options appear to be on the table for the future films. Costner is still forging ahead with Chapter 3, which has already started production. Despite the challenges Horizon has faced, Costner seems undeterred. This project has been a labor of love for him since the late 1980s, and he remains steadfast in his determination to bring his vision to life. Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, he candidly admitted, “I don’t know how I’m gonna make [Chapter 3] right now, but I’m gonna make it.” Even if it hasn’t made the money the studios wanted, it is refreshing to see the amount of passion Costner has to make his project a reality.
Horizon: An American Saga Trailer
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Sound off and tell us what you think. What are your thoughts on the future of Horizon? Also, were you a fan of Chapter 1?
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I enjoyed Chapter 1, watching it from home on my new Samsung 85″ 8k top of the line TV! Only the last 5-10 minutes were a bit confusing and seemed like it had been added after the fact as a type of trailer for future chapters, which I don’t like the spoiler effect it created!
I’m very much looking forward to the release of Chapter 2.
It is an epic western .Release #2 this spring . We’re ready
I’m eager to see Chapter 2 and hope we will get at least 4 or 5 instalments overall. If I had the money I would finance production and distribution myself. I really enjoyed the first film, it was like a combination of the Louis L’Amour, Larry McMurtry and Anthony Mann.
I saw Chapter One at my local Cineworld and loved it, fully expecting Chapter 2 to appear in the Autumn…. It is challenging for audiences, given that the story/stories are left hanging. I hope “2” gets a theatrical release, but I will settle for a DVD and hope that “3” and “4” will similarly get completed and made available, if not theatrically then at least in disc…
I’m just not a theater person anymore. My TVs and home theater systems have upgraded/improved over the past 25+ years. I waited until I was able to buy it for my movie collection and watch on my 75″ Samsung UHD TV with my Bose soundbar with surround speakers and bass module. No reason to go to the theater. Horizon was excellent. I can’t wait for Part 2. Like many others, I agree that this would have been better received as a limited streaming series. I think Kevin was hoping for another Oscar or 2 for Horizon. If they release Part 2 in theaters, he still has more chances, but there’s a lot of different plots going on, and I’m guessing they don’t come together until Part 4.
I want to see chapter 2 and 3
We loved Chapter 1 – can’t wait to see the next Chapter!!
I enjoyed Chapter 1 and I can see that Kevin Costner is a visionary. He is building up the characters in the movie, so they will integrating each other in the end. He is thinking outside the box with no protocol to be follow. He is passionate about his work because it is epic. I believe it will be greater than anybody expected.
It’s too bad the Costner haters have so much power! Considering all the trashy movies that have been released, it’s mind blowing that Horizon has been ignored. Hopefully, Chapter 2 will be released soon!!!
I saw Chapter 1 in the Helena, Montana theatre with my son. We loved it and hated that we had to wait for a continuation of this grand complex of stories. We might be partial however, since our Great Grandparents and Great Greats were early settlers of both Denver, Kansas Territory, before the railroad, and Montana Territory in 1870. They ran saloons and beer halls, were gold miners and ran boarding houses. Costner’s ambitious telling of multiple stories is true to the histories of my forbearers.
Unfortunately most audiences want stories that are less complex and finish up in tidy packages within 2 hours, so their interest in a long saga with multiple story lines, with many character relationships didn’t go over well. I sincerely hope the future installments of the Horizon Saga are released in theaters where the audience can experience this grand story and see the breathtaking landscapes my great grandparents and great-great grandparents lived in. They endured many hardships and I feel that Kevin Costner is doing justice in telling these stories with the full detail they deserve.
I saw chapter one at the theater and again at home. I can’t wait for chapter two and three.
When is chapter 2 of horizon coming out , some may not like it , but we do , the older folks such like us , we want to see it real soon please
Chapter 1 is pretty entertaining and explains a lot about the time period. Streaming to home screens for all future episodes is probably the best approach. Audiences would remain engaged and can take on the intermixed stories at their leasure.
I watched the Netflix version and found immensely boring.
We watched on a Netflix and loved chapter 1
Can’t wait to see the next chapters