Despite a 1.6 Rating, This Fantasy Film is Now Netflix’s Most-Watched

Is it the involvement of Mackenyu – the renowned Zorro from Netflix’s live-action One Piece – or the enduring popularity of Masami Kurumada’s manga Saint Seiya that has made the movie “Knights of the Zodiac” the most-watched film on Netflix right now? One thing is certain, it’s not because of its rating on AlloCiné.

With an average rating of 1.6 out of 5, this live-action version released in 2023 did not impress audiences upon its debut. And although it performed better than Dragonball Evolution, it’s safe to say that it ranks among the worst adaptations of a beloved manga.

A joint production between Japan and the United States, “Knights of the Zodiac” follows Seiya, a fiery teenager accustomed to fighting to survive on the streets while searching for his kidnapped sister.

During a fight, he inadvertently taps into unsuspected mystical powers and is thrust into a world where he meets armored knights deriving their strength from ancient magical training and Athena, a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection. To survive, he must confront his destiny and sacrifice everything to claim his rightful place among the Knights of the Zodiac.

$60 Million Down the Drain

Despite the strong performance by lead actor Mackenyu and the presence of Famke Janssen, Sean Bean, and Mark Dacascos in the cast, this adaptation was not seen as faithful by die-hard fans of Saint Seiya.

Between the particularly poor special effects, the disappointing costumes of Seiya and the other knights, and its poorly exploited universe, the film did not resonate with French viewers, and they weren’t the only ones.

With an average budget of $60 million, “Knights of the Zodiac” was far from profitable, earning only about $4 million globally. This dismal performance has likely crushed any hopes for a sequel that would have featured the other Bronze Knights who serve under Athena.

While this film may not have appealed to fans of Saint Seiya, it nonetheless provides an entry point for newcomers to get intrigued and possibly explore the world created by Masami Kurumada…

Available to watch on Netflix.