Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon: Chapter 2’ Sets U.S. Premiere After Box Office Struggles

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The second installment of Kevin Costner‘s ambitious Western film series, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2, will make its U.S. premiere on Feb. 7 at the Arlington Theatre as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). The announcement comes after the first chapter faced a disappointing box office performance, grossing only $38.7 million worldwide against a combined $100 million budget for both films.

The premiere will feature a double screening, beginning with Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 at 2 p.m., followed by Chapter 2 at 6 p.m. Costner, who co-wrote, directed, produced, and stars in the film, will participate in a Q&A session moderated by SBIFF executive director Roger Durling after the screening. The festival will also showcase Beyond the Horizon, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the film, on Feb. 13, with Costner and director Mark Gillard in attendance.

The Horizon series, which Costner began developing in 1988, chronicles a 15-year span of pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement in the American West. The ensemble cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson, and Jena Malone. Despite its lackluster theatrical performance, Chapter 1 found renewed success on Netflix, securing the No. 3 spot on the U.S. Top 10 list and No. 7 globally.

Costner personally invested $38 million into the project, underscoring his commitment to the four-film saga. However, the underwhelming box office returns have cast doubt on the future of the third and fourth installments. “I believe it’s coming pretty soon,” said actress Isabelle Fuhrman, who stars in the film, during a recent interview. “But I actually, as of now, haven’t heard anything. Actors are usually the last to know in these sorts of things.”

The Venice Film Festival hosted the world premiere of Chapter 2 last summer, while Chapter 1 debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in spring 2024. Despite its challenges, the series has garnered attention for its sweeping narrative and Costner’s dedication to the Western genre.