Top 10 Kevin Costner Movies Every Yellowstone Fan Should Watch, Ranked by IMDb

Kevin Costner has come a long way to become one of the most famous filmmakers in the world. In order to attend acting classes, he worked many jobs, from truck driver to tour guide.

Costner's range as an actor has proven to be just as wide: he can play both a brave lawman and a ruthless criminal who knows no bounds.

10. Waterworld, 1995

IMDb Rating: 6.3/10

In a post-apocalyptic future, all the glaciers have melted and the earth is covered with water. There are legends about a small piece of land somewhere in the middle of the ocean. The main character tries to find it while helping those he meets and escaping from dangerous criminals.

The film was directed by Kevin Reynolds, with whom Costner had worked on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. But the movie didn't repeat the success of its predecessor, turned out to be too expensive to produce, and the interest of the viewers was rather low. Waterworld was only appreciated years later and gradually gained cult status.

9. The Bodyguard, 1992

IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

One of President Reagan's bodyguards, Frank Farmer, leaves the service and gets a job with singer Rachel Marron, who is receiving threatening letters. At first, the two almost hate each other, but then their feelings grow warmer and warmer.

This is the next step in Costner's career, after which literally everyone heard about him. Critics panned the movie and even nominated the actor for various anti-awards, but audiences fell in love with the touching romantic story and enjoyed the duet of Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.

8. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 1991

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10

Robin of Locksley is captured during one of the Crusades. After escaping, he returns home to discover that the Sheriff of Nottingham has seized power. Robin assembles a team of forest bandits to overthrow the Sheriff and restore justice.

One of the biggest box office successes of Costner's career – the movie grossed nearly $400 million. In this version, the classic legends about the famous robber were significantly changed, but the charm of the main characters made the audience forget about it.

In addition to Costner, Alan Rickman and Christian Slater joined the movie, and the role of King Richard went to Sean Connery.

7. Open Range, 2003

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Three old cowboys once became very close friends with a young boy. They live their lives avoiding big cities and trying to stay out of trouble. But trouble finds them, and now the two remaining must avenge their fallen friend.

After several failures as a director, Costner managed to make a successful movie, although it did not even come close to Robin Hood in terms of box office receipts. But viewers appreciated the dynamic and touching story of friendship and love.

6. McFarland, USA, 2015

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

The story is based on real events – Jim White goes to work as a biology teacher at a school in the town of McFarland. At the same time, he becomes a kids' coach.

Jim decides to start a cross-country team. The only problem is that many of his students have no time to study because they have been forced to help their parents since childhood. But the coach and the team spirit will lead them to the title of state champion.

5. Field of Dreams, 1989

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

Farmer Ray Kinsella starts hearing voices convincing him to build a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. And then the ghosts of legendary players who were forced into early retirement start appearing there. But only Ray and his family can see them.

Over the course of several decades, Costner has starred in many sports-themed films. The most iconic of them was the role of farmer Ray in the drama Field of Dreams by director and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson.

4. A Perfect World, 1993

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

Experienced criminal Butch Haynes goes on the run, taking with him an eight-year-old hostage. But the boy does not even really understand that he has been kidnapped. He sees in Butch the father he never knew.

The criminal is trying to create a perfect world for the child, but a Texas Ranger is already on their trail.

Unfortunately, this Clint Eastwood film would be Costner's last success for the next few years. Then the western Wyatt Earp, which received many nominations for the Golden Raspberry anti-award, and the drama The War failed in a row.

3. The Untouchables, 1987

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Al Capone sold alcohol underground during Prohibition. The entire police force is under his control and it seems that no one can stop the gangster.

But Bureau of Prohibition Agent Eliot Ness decides to put an end to it and assembles a new team consisting of experienced policeman Jim Malone, gunfighter Giuseppe Petri and accountant Oscar Wallace.

Before this film, Kevin Costner had already been appearing in films for several years, but mostly in unremarkable and low-budget films. Working with director Brian De Palma and such legends as Robert De Niro and Sean Connery made him a star and paved the way for other major projects.

2. JFK, 1991

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

The world is shocked by the assassination of US President John Kennedy. The police arrest a suspect, former Marine Lee Harvey Oswald.

But soon, prosecutor Jim Garrison discovers many inconsistencies in the handling of the case, leading to the emergence of new versions and even conspiracy theories.

The successful career of Kevin Costner forced one of the biggest directors of that time, Oliver Stone, to pay attention to him. The actor was entrusted with the difficult role of the real person Jim Garrison.

1. Dances with Wolves, 1990

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

There is a civil war in the USA. After being wounded, Officer John J. Dunbar asks to be transferred to the western frontier. Now he serves in a small fort. Eventually, he is left alone and gradually befriends the nomadic Indians, eventually becoming a full-fledged member of their tribe.

After several box office successes, Costner managed to raise the necessary amount of money to make his own movie. He directed, produced and starred in Dances With Wolves.

As a result, the movie not only made big profits and was loved by viewers, but also won seven Oscars including such major categories as Best Picture and Best Director.