The 9 Best Kevin Costner Movies of All Time
Kevin Costner has made a lot of movies in his career, though the vast majority of his great ones came in the late 80’s and 90’s. Here are his nine best movies of all time, though in reality they are simply my favorite Kevin Costner movies–an admittedly eclectic mix that caters more to fun watches than powerful dramas.
9. Man of Steel
Despite what you think of Man of Steel–I don’t get why so many people had a problem with it, to be honest–many would argue that Kevin Costner is the best part of this superhero reboot. The movie itself is also a blast.
8. Dances with Wolves
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this Oscar-winning drama, but I remember it being really good.
7. Field of Dreams
Kevin Costner is most often associated with baseball movies, and specifically Field of Dreams. This movie would possibly rank higher than it is if not for the fact that it’s been 15 years since I’ve seen it.
6. JFK
At over three hours and about a courtroom investigation, regardless of what the investigation is about, Oliver Stone’s epic had no right to be as exciting and compelling as it is. And yet Stone makes a persuasive argument for a cover-up, even if he stretches, bends and even breaks the truth in doing so.
5. Open Range
You probably haven’t even heard of this western, and even if you’ve seen it you wouldn’t rave about it, but for whatever reason Open Range holds a special place in my heart. The final shootout scene is a terrific, especially the way it begins–with Costner’s character loading a bullet into the head of his adversary before the man can as much as blink.
4. Waterworld
Waterworld is best known as a financial flop and the end of Costner’s peak career period, but there are more than a few people, including myself, that admit that this overly ambitious and sometimes cheesy sci-fi epic is more than a guilty pleasure–it’s a genuinely entertaining action film.
3. The Untouchables
Arguably director Brian de Palma’s best film (sorry, Scarface fans), The Untouchables has a terrific cast including Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro and Andy Garcias, and a thrilling plot highlighted by that classic, slow-motion staircase scene.
2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Sure, it makes no sense that Costner stars as one of England’s most fabled characters while refusing to use a British accent, but Prince of Thieves is a blast of a film, one that is more entertaining and exciting than it had any right to be. If I earned a quarter for every time I’ve watched this movie, I’d have at least $5 to my name.
1. Tin Cup
I don’t know what it is, but I LOVE Tin Cup. Like, I watch it at least once a year and it never gets old. About a washed up, hot-tempered golf pro who falls in love with his therapist (Rene Russo), Tin Cup offers just the right balance of humor, romance and sports. For that reason, Tin Cup is Kevin Costner’s best movie.