illy the Kid Remake Becomes a Streaming Hit on MGM+

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A classic movie is gaining renewed attention in the United States. The increased interest in the 2013 film isn’t unexpected, given its subject matter: the legendary Billy the Kid.

Currently, ‘Billy the Kid’ is the most popular movie on MGM+ in the US, according to FlixPatrol. Directed by Christopher Forbes, it has been at the top of the streaming platform’s charts since October 11th. The film features Jerry Chesser, Kimberly Campbell, Richard Kinsey, Cody McCarver, Graye Bumgardner, and Dan Beck.

The film centers on a solitary bounty hunter who eliminates a member of a notorious outlaw gang. This act sparks a violent response, leading to the death of Billy the Kid’s mother. Driven by revenge, Billy is compelled to join forces with the enigmatic bounty hunter. As they pursue justice in the Old West, they’ll uncover a surprising connection between their pasts and a shared destiny filled with gunfights and retribution.

This movie isn’t widely known and has been hard to find until recently. Even back in 2013, it was having trouble gaining attention. Major film studios were cautious about investing in Westerns unless they featured famous actors or had obvious broad appeal. This film, which focused more on characters and the story of a famous outlaw, didn’t receive that kind of support. As a result, the marketing was weak, and it couldn’t attract enough viewers to succeed.

The show initially faded into obscurity, but its recent popularity highlights how much streaming has transformed television. Someone searching for a western or a compelling drama on MGM+ likely found the 2013 series *Billy the Kid* through the platform’s recommendations. Unlike traditional TV and movies, it’s no longer limited by theatrical releases or specific seasons. Instead, it can be watched anytime, allowing new viewers to discover it whenever they want.

The Making of an American Myth

While technology played a role in the film’s recent popularity, the story itself is a major reason for its success. The film centers on Henry McCarty, born around 1859, a young boy who grew up without a father in the poor neighborhoods of New York City. After his mother passed away from tuberculosis while they were living in New Mexico, the teenage Henry was forced to fend for himself.

Billy the Kid was a notorious thief, stealing both horses and cattle, and he even broke out of jail. He was accused of killing several men – likely around eight, though newspapers dramatically exaggerated the number, claiming he’d killed twenty-one by the time he was twenty-one. By 1880, he was famous as a villain in the violent Lincoln County War, a conflict in New Mexico fueled by powerful business rivals. Accounts of Billy varied – some saw him as a cold-blooded killer, while others viewed him as a champion of the working class fighting against corruption.

The story of Billy the Kid became firmly established in July 1881 when Sheriff Pat Garrett found and killed him in Fort Sumner. Though he died, the legend of Billy the Kid quickly grew. Almost instantly, his story appeared in books, magazines, and traveling shows, which romanticized him as a rebellious figure who defied rules and lived a life of freedom. By the early 1900s, Billy the Kid had become an icon, representing America’s fascination with the Wild West and the dream of limitless freedom.

Billy the Kid (2013) is streaming on MGM+.

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2025-10-17 18:52