Yul Brynner’s Underappreciated 59-Year-Old Sequel Heads to Prime Video

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The lesser-known follow-up to “ ” is preparing to ride on a fresh streaming service. According to reports, the 1966 film “Return of the Seven” will be the newcomer’s next big release.

Starting June 1, you’ll be able to stream “The Return of the Seven” on Prime Video. This film features Academy Award winner Yul Brynner playing the character Chris Adams. Notably, this movie is a follow-up to the successful “The Magnificent Seven,” which was itself a remake of the 1954 hit “Seven Samurai.” Interestingly, Brynner is the sole cast member who reprised his role from the original film.

In the 1966 movie titled Return of the Seven, directed by Burt Kennedy from a screenplay by Larry Cohen, Steve McQueen reappeared as he led his group. The story followed Adams, along with the surviving members of the original Seven and some fresh recruits, confronting an army of evil-doers who had taken control of a small Mexican village for their malicious purposes.

In a nutshell, much like its predecessor, “Return of the Seven,” didn’t exactly charm the critics when it first graced our screens. The film, unfortunately, didn’t strike a chord with audiences either, earning a modest $6.4 million globally, even after a North American re-release in theaters. To be fair, the sequel was met with a wave of disappointment that seemed to overshadow its release. However, despite these lackluster beginnings, the franchise continued, producing two more films – “Guns of the Magnificent Seven” in 1969 and “The Magnificient Seven Ride!” in 1972. Regrettably, these follow-ups were criticized even more harshly than their predecessors.

The Magnificant Seven Continues to Be a Beloved Western Franchise

Despite receiving less than favorable reviews from critics and viewers when initially released, as well as its sequels, the film The Magnificent Seven has endured as a cult favorite, prompting studios to revisit the property periodically. In 1998, a TV series inspired by the movie, featuring Michael Biehn as Chris Larabee (a loose adaptation of Brynner’s Chris Adams character), premiered on CBS. The show ran for 2 seasons and completed 22 episodes in total.

In 2016, the classic film “The Magnificent Seven” was reimagined for modern cinemas, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt as part of an impressive cast. The remake grossed approximately $162.4 million worldwide, earning this return on a budget under $107 million. Critics and viewers alike gave it mostly positive, albeit slightly varied, reviews. Additionally, a new television adaptation, penned by the writer of “True Detective”, Nic Pizzolatto, was also in development.

Return of the Seven will be streaming on Prime Video beginning June 1, 2025.

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2025-05-30 22:35