Every Kevin Costner Movie From the 1990s, Ranked

Kevin Costner began his acting career in 1981 and is still an industry icon and bankable star of films and TV series to this day. The 1990s continued his career from the late 80s, showing his ability to portray a wide variety of characters across different genres. The decade saw him evolve from minor roles in smaller productions to the leading star in big-budget films, producing some of the best films of Kevin Costner’s career and a testament to his talent and appreciation for his craft.

Costner’s ability to fully embrace his characters has led to many iconic roles, including Lieutenant John Dunbar in the Oscar-winning film Dances with Wolves to the legendary lawman in Wyatt Earp. His work in front of and behind the camera has truly elevated his skills, both in some of Costner’s best action films and in the more underrated dramatic pieces that have formed the basis of his incredible career. Costner’s 90s filmography is something to behold, with a wide range of eclectic and critically acclaimed roles that have truly stood the test of time.

13

Message in a Bottle (1999)

As Garrett Blake

Based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks Message in a bottle stars Costner as a quiet, lonely widower who becomes embroiled in a new love story when a journalist, Theresa (Robin Wright), discovers a message in a bottle he wrote to his late wife. Blake is considered the original author, and Theresa travels to meet him, intrigued by his words, and the two begin to begin a new relationship. It’s a film full of romance, chemistry and sadness, as the two new lovers can’t seem to make time work.

Costner shows off his acting chops by playing the low-key, intense Garrett, who is caught between his former life and a new love interest. Your performance is captivating as you can feel the genuine connection between him and Wright at the same time as the attraction of a man still conflicted by pain. Although in some ways formulaic, Costner and Wright’s performance helps solidify the narrative and create a compelling film that stays with you long after it ends.

12

The Postman (1997)

Like the postman

Set in a post-apocalyptic, neo-Western version of the USA in 2013, after a series of disasters and plagues, civilization hangs by a thread. The postman follows a drifting nomad who finds a USPS uniform and mailbag and uses this new identity to inspire new confidence in American ideals and provide hope for a restored United States. The film, directed by and starring Costner, is designed as a modern fairy tale and parable about a man who steps forward to provide a ray of resilience and inspiration in a desolate world.

Although the film was widely panned, with critics criticizing the script and runtime, it features a solid performance from Costner, who portrays the nomadic wanderer convincingly. Similar to some of his other roles, he plays the brave outsider with charisma and charmwhich helps elevate the story to new heights. His direction is solid, shown in all the pacing, emotion and characters. Although it’s not his most popular work, it’s still an interesting and worthwhile film in your repertoire.

11

Revenge (1990)

As Michael Cochran

In the romantic thriller RevengeCostner stars a retired US Navy aviator who is invited to Mexico by his wealthy friends, who happens to be one of the country’s top crime bosses. The pilot falls in love with his friend’s wife, as she feels lonely and unsatisfied in her marriage, and the two get involved in a lewd affair. Costner plays his role perfectly in this tense and passionate thriller, full of twists, suspense and revenge.

Costner’s good looks and natural confidence help deepen the comparison between him and the older, ruthless mob boss. His chemistry with Miryea (Madeleine Stowe) is palpable throughout, with some romantic and spicy scenes that spice up the plot. Costner shows that he is as at home in a romantic drama as he is in a war-torn apocalypse, and his work has been praised for its emotionally charged delivery and darker approach to the role.

10

Tin Cup (1996)

As Roy McAvoy

In Tin CupThe plot follows Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy, played by Costner, a former golf prodigy who refused to stop playing the riskiest shots, which cost him his PGA Tour career. After meeting Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo), who is looking for golf lessons, your attraction brings together your passion for golf as he makes another move to qualify and win the US Open. In a more light-hearted romantic comedy than some of his other romance films, he is able to balance humor and drama skillfully.

For his role in Tin CupCostner received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Her chemistry with Russo was a highlight of the film, with both showing excellent comedic timing and a genuine connection throughout the film. Costner shows that he is more than just a drama or action star, as he delivers a hilarious performance while also delivering emotional moments when discussing his golf career.

9

The Bodyguard (1992)

As Frank Farmer

In one of his most famous works, Costner plays a former United States Secret Service agent tasked with protecting famous actress and singer Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston) from a dangerous and unknown stalker. THE Rude, straight-laced bodyguard contrasts with Marron’s free-spirited energy and soon sparks start to fly. The romantic tension and intense drama of a life at risk make this film an icon in Costner’s filmography.

The bodyguard, With its incredible soundtrack and memorable performances, it has become a cult classic film over the years. Costner’s performance is one of gentle intensity and stoicism that helped launch him further into stardom, sas a unique understanding of a discrete role. The chemistry between the two leads, a hallmark of Costner’s style, helped elevate the film even further, and remains one of the standout gems of Costner’s early career.

8

Water World (1995)

As a sailor

In Aquatic worldCostner plays the nameless drifter and anti-hero ‘The Mariner’, who sails around the globe after the polar ice caps melt, submerging almost all of Earth’s land in water. The film was released with great enthusiasm and knowledge of the extent to which it exceeded the budgetso audiences and critics had a lot of preconceived notions before watching it. The film was praised for its ambitious scale, intricate sets and scenes, and expansive action sequences.

Costner’s portrayal of the nomadic sailor helped ensure Aquatic world as a cult classic that has gained respect and appreciation over the years. His dedication to the character’s physicality and energy was infectious and permeated every other element of the film. Costner has publicly stated that he really likes the filmand his iconic, brooding role as ‘The Mariner’, combined with the explosive action sequences, make it worth watching in its own right.

7

The War (1994)

As Stephen Simmons

Costner stars as Stephen Simmons, a shell-shocked Vietnam War veteran who is trying to rebuild his and his family’s lives after returning from the war and leaving a psychiatric hospital after suffering night terrors. Follows Stephen as he tries to get a volunteer job to help support his family and his struggles to connect and rebuild his relationship with his young family after witnessing the brutality of war.

The film, alongside Costner’s calm portrayal, explores themes of poverty, trauma and family dynamics that form the central questions of the narrative. Costner is at his most vulnerable here playing a struggling veteran who is doing everything he can to support his family while sheltering and dealing with your own problems. His role is played to perfection, with numerous genuine moments of honest reflection and a story that feels relatable to many. Costner’s chemistry with his son, Stu, played by the young Elijah Wood, is one of the main highlights of an exemplary film.

6

For the Love of the Game (1999)

Like Billy Chapel

As a talented college baseball player and a man with countless baseball plays under his belt, Kevin Costner was the perfect star for this sports drama, which follows an aging baseball pitcher in the final stages of his career. As he feels his moment and time passing, he delivers the performance of his life, with the chance for a perfect gamewithout bases and without hits. The film shows the pressures of being a professional athlete at the highest level and also how these stars manage to remain calm in such tense situations.

The film follows the performance and intersperses flashbacks to a long-term relationship that Costner’s character, Billy Chapel, has with his single mother, Jane (Kelly Preston). Costner seemed destined to play this role, as has baseball background to make all sports sequences look realisticexecuting proper technique throughout. His performance as a famous and talented pitcher who is now nearing the end of his career and being convinced to retire is a bittersweet combination, and he embodies the role effortlessly.

5

Wyatt Earp (1994)

Like Wyatt Earp

In this biographical Western drama, Costner portrays the legendary figure Wyatt Earpwhat it was From Iowa farmer to feared lawman with the respect of everyone with whom he had contact. The film follows his story from his early years and the events leading up to the infamous OK Corral shootout. It features a cast with icons such as Gene Hackman, Mark Harmon, Michael Madsen and Bill Pullman.

While it’s a fantastic film in its own right, it was released just six months after the classic film Tombstonewhich tells the same story as Wyatt Earp, starring Kurt Russell. Following such an iconic film with the same plot hurt the box office and never achieved the same critical acclaim. Wyatt Earp is unfairly knocked down because of this, but Costner’s performance as the gritty gunslinger is engaging and authentic and deserves to be a most beloved film in Costner’s career.

4

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Like Robin Hood

In this adaptation of the classic Robin Hood A tale that still holds up 30 years later, Costner plays the title role in one of his most iconic performances. Robin Hood continues his fight against the unscrupulous and devious Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). A film that combines romance, action and adventure in a brilliant retelling of the legendary story which flows much faster than its 2 hour and 21 minute runtime suggests.

Although he was criticized for not trying to use an English accent (although in retrospect this probably worked in the film’s favor), his performance was generally acclaimed by critics, with an authentic yet larger-than-life portrayal of a character who could be difficult to get right. . Costner perfectly skirts the line between self-awareness and over-the-top theatrics who make the role what it is, and his chemistry with Rickman and the rest of the cast makes it one of the main highlights of his early filmography.

3

A Perfect World (1993)

As Robert “Butch” Haynes

A perfect world sees Costner play Robert ‘Butch’ Haynes, a prison escapee who kidnaps a boy named Phillip to blend into the society he is trying to hide from. The film is multilayered, complicated narrative about the growing relationship between the boy and the inmate as they begin to develop a bond while on the run from a Texas Ranger (Clint Eastwood) who is worried about bringing Haynes to justice.

The complex nature of the film is reflected by the complexity of Costner’s performance. At first using the boy as a simple tool to help evade authorities, he quickly discovers that the boy grew up without a male role model in a sheltered life. Ironically, it is now, as a captive, that he is free to explore some newfound freedomand Costner perfectly plays the role of the man torn between escaping prison and doing the right thing. It’s a beautiful portrait, and the entire film is one of Costner’s most moving works for its complicated, layered portrayal.

2

JFK (1991)

As Jim Garrison

In one of Kevin Costner’s most underrated films, he plays a tenacious New Orleans district attorney who follows the evidence and believes there was a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. The film follows Garrison as he analyzes stories and reads accounts that he is marked by inconsistencies and inaccuraciesleading you to reach your own conclusions. The film investigates conspiracies at the highest levels of government in a complex and powerful political thriller.

The film has received critical acclaim since its release, with Oscar nominations in eight categories. Costner’s performance was considered the film’s pinnacle, with a courageous and intense portrayal of a man on a mission to expose the conspiracy. His attention to character detail and thoughtful, eloquent delivery From all evidence it is exceptionally well done. Combined with Oliver Stone’s masterful direction, it creates a drama that stands out as one of the best films of the 1990s.

1

Dances with Wolves (1990)

As John J. Dunbar

In a film that Costner directed and starred in, Dances with Wolves is the highlight of his career, not just the 1990s, with his expert touch on every aspect of the film. Costner stars as Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, a Civil War soldier who befriends and makes peace with the local Sioux tribe. In a gripping story, Dunbar is caught between his army and his new Lakota friends, and it all comes together to create a monumental, moving, multicultural masterpiece.

Dances with Wolves it almost swept the Oscars, with 12 nominations and seven wins, including wins for Best Picture, Best Director (Costner), Best Editing and Best Cinematography. It has been universally recognized as one of the most significant films of all timeand Costner’s direction and starring role played a major role in its success. His performance as Dunbar is subtle and sensitive on every level, as he transitions from stranger to family, and remains an instant classic and Kevin CostnerThe most iconic role to date.