Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 is finally settled into its streaming home on Prime Video, and the verdict is pretty simple: it’s a massive, beautiful, three-hour-long "maybe." Whether you should hit play with your kids depends entirely on whether they have the patience for 180 minutes of setup and if you’re cool with the R-rated reality of the 1860s American West.
TL;DR: Costner’s passion project Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 is a slow-burn Western epic that earns its R-rating through gritty frontier violence rather than non-stop action. It’s a great pick for older teens who are into history or Yellowstone, but the three-hour runtime and the fact that it’s only the first part of a (hopeful) four-part story makes it a tough sell for a casual family movie night. For a more contained Western experience, check out our best movies for kids list.
If you’re looking for Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1, it’s currently streaming on Prime Video (and available for purchase on the usual VOD platforms). The bigger question for most fans is the sequel. After a rocky theatrical start in 2024, Chapter 2 was pulled from the schedule and has been floating in a sort of "legal and distribution limbo" ever since.
While Costner has been spotted filming Chapter 3, the reality is that Chapter 1 ends on a massive montage of what’s supposed to happen next. If your kid hates cliffhangers or stories that don't actually "end," you might want to wait until the sequel situation is sorted before diving in.
This isn’t a "fun" PG-13 Western like The Magnificent Seven. Costner wanted to show the settlement of the West as a messy, often horrific land grab.
The Violence: It’s visceral. There is a prolonged, intense attack on a settlement early in the film that includes fire, arrows, and close-quarters combat. It’s not "cartoonish" violence; it’s designed to make you feel the stakes of the frontier. If your kid has seen 1883, they know the vibe.
The Content: Beyond the blood, there’s some brief nudity and the kind of rough language you’d expect from people living in dirt-floor cabins. It’s not gratuitous, but it’s definitely not a Disney+ afternoon watch.
The biggest barrier to entry isn't the violence—it's the pacing. Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 follows at least four different storylines across multiple states. Some characters don't even meet in this first installment.
If your kid is used to the breakneck speed of a Marvel movie, they are going to be bored out of their minds by the 90-minute mark. However, if you have a teen who loves world-building or is a "completionist" when it comes to historical epics, there’s a lot to talk about here regarding manifest destiny, indigenous perspectives, and the sheer grit required to survive the 19th century.
If you watch Horizon and your kid actually stays awake for the whole thing, they’ve officially entered their Western Era. Here’s what to queue up next:
Tom Hanks plays a veteran who travels from town to town reading the news. It’s got the same sweeping cinematography as Horizon but with a much tighter, more emotional core. It’s PG-13 and hits that "frontier road trip" sweet spot perfectly.
If you want a Western with a protagonist a kid can actually relate to, the Coen Brothers’ version of True Grit is the gold standard. Hailee Steinfeld’s Mattie Ross is one of the best "intentional" characters in cinema history—sharp, uncompromising, and smarter than every adult in the room.
If you’re okay with the R-rated grit of Horizon, this Yellowstone prequel is arguably the best Western storytelling of the last decade. It’s brutal, but it’s a masterclass in showing the cost of the American Dream.
Wait, a New Zealand comedy? Hear me out. If the "survival in the wilderness" aspect of Horizon is what clicked, this Taika Waititi gem is the perfect palate cleanser. It’s funny, heartfelt, and explores the bond between a grumpy older man and a defiant kid in the bush.
If you do sit down for the three-hour marathon, don't just let the credits roll (especially since the credits are actually a trailer for the next movie). Use the scale of the movie to talk about the reality of the era:
- The Perspective Shift: Ask them whose story they found most compelling. The film tries to balance the settlers’ hopes with the indigenous tribes' fight for their land. Does it succeed?
- The "Why": Why would anyone leave a city to live in a tent in the middle of nowhere? Horizon spends a lot of time on the "marketing" of the West—the flyers and promises that lured people into dangerous situations.
The hardest part of Horizon isn't a specific scene; it's the fact that it’s a TV show disguised as a movie. It doesn't have a traditional three-act structure with a satisfying ending. If you’re watching this on a school night, break it up into two 90-minute "episodes." Your kids' attention spans (and your own) will thank you.
Q: Is Horizon: An American Saga appropriate for a 12-year-old?
It’s a heavy R. While a mature 12-year-old who loves history might handle the violence, the three-hour length and complex, multi-thread plot are likely to be more frustrating than engaging. Most families find it lands better with the 15+ crowd.
Q: Does Horizon have a lot of "bad" language?
It has some, but it’s mostly period-appropriate grit. It’s not a movie built on f-bombs; the R-rating is much more about the graphic nature of the frontier violence and some brief nudity.
Q: Is there a "clean" version of Horizon for streaming?
Currently, no. You’re getting the full theatrical cut on Prime Video. If you want a cleaner Western experience, you're better off looking at our best movies for kids list for PG and PG-13 options.
Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 is Kevin Costner being the most Kevin Costner he’s ever been. It’s beautiful, self-indulgent, and deeply committed to the Western genre. It’s not a "fun family movie," but it is a significant piece of filmmaking. If your kid is ready for a slow, serious look at American history and you don't mind a few "to be continued" frustrations, it’s worth the stream.
- Check out our best movies for kids list for more age-appropriate picks.
- If your teen is into historical epics, see our digital guide for high schoolers.
- Ask our chatbot for more Western recommendations
