Kevin Costner has starred in more than 50 films and TV projects since the early 1980s. This guide lists his best-known movies in release order, from early roles to Yellowstone and Horizon.
Kevin Costner Movies in the 1980s
His breakthrough years. He moved from small roles to leading man in just a few films.
- Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (shot 1978, released 1981), his first feature
- Table for Five (1983)
- Testament (1983)
- Silverado (1985), his first big breakthrough
- Fandango (1985)
- American Flyers (1985)
- No Way Out (1987)
- The Untouchables (1987), as Eliot Ness
- Bull Durham (1988)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
Kevin Costner Movies in the 1990s
His peak decade, and the one that made him one of the biggest stars in the world.
- Revenge (1990)
- Dances with Wolves (1990), which he also directed
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- JFK (1991)
- The Bodyguard (1992), with Whitney Houston
- A Perfect World (1993)
- Wyatt Earp (1994)
- The War (1994)
- Waterworld (1995)
- Tin Cup (1996)
- The Postman (1997), also directed by Costner
- Message in a Bottle (1999)
- For Love of the Game (1999)
Kevin Costner Movies in the 2000s
A quieter stretch with a mix of dramas, thrillers and Westerns.
- Thirteen Days (2000)
- 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
- Dragonfly (2002)
- Open Range (2003), which he also directed
- The Upside of Anger (2005)
- Rumor Has It... (2005)
- The Guardian (2006)
- Mr. Brooks (2007)
- Swing Vote (2008)
Kevin Costner Movies in the 2010s
He moved into supporting roles and TV.
- The Company Men (2010)
- Hatfields & McCoys (2012), TV miniseries that earned him an Emmy
- Man of Steel (2013), as Jonathan Kent
- Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
- 3 Days to Kill (2014)
- Draft Day (2014)
- Black or White (2014)
- McFarland, USA (2015)
- Criminal (2016)
- Hidden Figures (2016)
- The Highwaymen (2019)
Kevin Costner Movies and TV Since 2018
- Yellowstone (2018 to 2024), as John Dutton
- Let Him Go (2020)
- Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 1 (2024), which he directed, co-wrote and starred in
- Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 2 (premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024; check its release status below)
Kevin Costner’s Best Movies
If you only watch a few, start with these:
- Dances with Wolves (1990): won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner
- The Untouchables (1987)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- Bull Durham (1988)
- Open Range (2003)
- The Bodyguard (1992)
Kevin Costner’s Awards
Costner has won two Academy Awards, both for Dances with Wolves, along with Golden Globes and an Emmy for Hatfields & McCoys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kevin Costner’s first movie?
Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. was shot in 1978 but released in 1981. Many fans count Silverado (1985) as his real breakthrough.
What is Kevin Costner’s best movie?
Dances with Wolves is the most celebrated, with seven Oscars including Best Picture.
Which movies did Kevin Costner direct?
Dances with Wolves, The Postman, Open Range and the Horizon films.
Is Yellowstone a movie?
No. It’s a TV series that ran from 2018 to 2024. Costner left the show before it ended.
When does Horizon: Chapter 2 come out?
It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024, but its wider release was delayed. [UPDATE with the current status before publishing.]
Related posts: Kevin Costner Net Worth 2026, Kevin Costner’s Children, Yellowstone Cast: Where Are They Now?