Get your bronze armor ready, because Knights of the Zodiac is back in the spotlight — this time with a live-action movie that, although it was a box office failure, is winning over audiences on streaming. Released worldwide in cinemas in 2023, the film didn’t reach the expected success but found a new life in the Prime Video catalog, where it surprises with high viewership numbers.
In this TVStreamzilla article, you’ll understand the path this production took, the challenges it faced, what’s behind its rediscovery on streaming, and what this might mean for the franchise’s future. So, get ready to dive into the universe of Seiya and the Knights of Athena!
About the Knights of the Zodiac live-action
The movie Knights of the Zodiac — its official international title — was released worldwide with the bold mission to adapt the famous anime and manga by Masami Kurumada into a live-action film. The production was directed by Tomasz Baginski, featured elaborate visual effects, and starred an international cast led by Mackenyu (Seiya), Madison Iseman (Sienna/Athena), Famke Janssen, Sean Bean, and Mark Dacascos.
Despite the nostalgic appeal and the effort to adapt such a beloved material, the film faced negative reviews. With weak box office performance, it grossed just over 7 million dollars worldwide — a low figure compared to the investment.
A new chance on Prime Video
After its cinema run, the movie arrived on Prime Video’s catalog. To everyone’s surprise, it became one of the most-watched titles on the platform. The production found a new audience — especially old anime fans who hadn’t seen it in theaters and those curious about adaptations of major Japanese franchises.
Watch here on Prime Video!
This streaming success shows how audience behavior can vary by platform. While competition and criticism weighed heavily in theaters, streaming’s easy access and nostalgia made all the difference.
What to expect from the movie?
The live-action retells the origin of Seiya, an orphan who discovers he is the reincarnation of the Pegasus Knight. He must protect the goddess Athena in her human form, Sienna. The script condenses several elements from the original arc, focusing on the formation of the Knights and the looming threat to the young goddess.
Although the pacing and some changes from the original material sparked criticism, the film delivers choreographed action scenes, convincing special effects, and a clear attempt to westernize the mythology of the Knights for a broader audience.
Cast and behind the scenes
- Mackenyu as Seiya of Pegasus
- Madison Iseman as Sienna / Athena
- Sean Bean as Alman Kido
- Famke Janssen as Guraad
- Mark Dacascos as Mylock
- Nick Stahl as Cassius
Japanese actor Mackenyu was already known to anime adaptation fans, having starred in One Piece and Rurouni Kenshin. His performance as Seiya was one of the film’s highlights. Behind the scenes, director Tomasz Baginski said he sought to create a bridge between Japanese aesthetics and Western action cinema.
Production trivia
- Scenes were filmed in Hungary, Croatia, and locations reminiscent of Greek mythology.
- The production was planned as the start of a franchise, with an open-ended script for sequels.
- Over 1,500 visual effects were used in battle scenes.
- The Knights’ costumes were redesigned to look more realistic, which divided fans’ opinions.
Why is the movie trending on streaming?
The sudden success on Prime Video can be explained by several factors: the platform’s global reach, the nostalgic appeal to Knights of the Zodiac fans, and curiosity about how one of childhood’s most beloved animations was adapted.
Also, the on-demand format allows viewers to watch at their own pace, comment on social media, and share opinions. Many avoid paying for a cinema ticket but can’t resist watching from the comfort of their couch.
Watch here on Prime Video!
What about the franchise’s future?
There’s no official confirmation of a sequel yet, but the good streaming performance might reignite the studio’s interest in continuing the franchise. It will depend on the buzz in the coming weeks and how engaged the audience remains.
The fact is, Knights of the Zodiac have a loyal and solid fan base always ready to give adaptations another chance. Now, it remains to be seen if this momentum will be enough to guarantee new chapters in the cinematic universe.
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