Kevin Costner Has starred in a wide range of films throughout his distinguished career, including eight notable sports movies. Costner rose to prominence in the 1980s after a string of successful film roles, including two of his most famous sports movies. Since then, Costner has become known for his many roles in sports films and western flicks. His acting and directing skills have earned him many accolades, ranging from Academy Awards to Golden Globes and a single Primetime Emmy.
While Kevin Costner’s western films played a large role in his career, Sports movies are what really started him on his road to fame and fortune. Indeed, Costner is something of an icon in the genre, taking the lead role in some of the world’s most memorable and recognizable sports movies. Although not every sports film he starred in was a hit, he nailed enough of them to make a name for himself.
Movie |
Character |
Sport |
---|---|---|
Chasing Dreams (1982) |
Ed |
Baseball |
American Flyers (1985) |
Marcus Sommers |
cycling |
Bull Durham (1988) |
Crash Davis |
Baseball |
Field of Dreams (1989) |
Ray Kinsella |
Baseball |
Teen Cop (1996) |
Roy “Tin Cop” McAvey |
Golf |
For Love of the Game (1999) |
Billy Chappell |
Baseball |
draft day (2014) |
Sonny Weaver Jr. |
Football |
McFarland, USA (2015) |
Jim White |
cross-country |
8
Chasing Dreams (1982)
As Ed
Chasing dreams is a 1982 film that represents one of Kevin Costner’s first film roles. The film follows a young boy growing up on a farm who suddenly realizes that he is a talented baseball player. Costner has a minor role in the film, portraying the older brother of the main character, who goes to medical school at the beginning of the film, but is one of the only people in his brother’s life who supports his dreams.
Chasing dreams Is not exactly a popular film today, with Costner’s role – minor as it was perhaps the most memorable part of it all. Indeed, Costner is one of the best things about the movie with his charisma and natural allure on screen somewhat distracting considering his small part.
The film serves as a precursor to Costner’s imminent rise to fame, But it’s an otherwise forgettable flick with little else to offer.
7
For Love of the Game (1999)
Like Billy Chappell
For Love of the Game, directed by Sam Raimi, follows a veteran baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career. As he reflects on his past and personal life, he faces a final opportunity to showcase his skills and reconcile with the woman he loves.
- Release date
-
September 17, 1999
- Figure
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Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly, Jena Malone, Brian Cox, JK Simmons, Vin Scully, Steve Lyons
The 1999 film, For love of the gameis one of Kevin Costner’s many baseball movies, but unfortunately, it’s not the best. For love of the game ranks above Chasing dreams Because it is at least remembered, even if the memories are less than stellar. The film goes Costner’s Billy Chappelle as he uses memories of a past relationship to calm him down during his attempt to throw a perfect game at Yankee Stadium.
The movie was directed by Sam Raimi, but the inventive filmmaker is quite subdued, as is Costner in the lead role, which leaves For love of the game Lacking the fun quality of the actor’s other films. Costner was nominated for a Golden Raspberry for the film, Although it is not a particularly bad performance. However, in playing the athlete who is perhaps over the hill, Costner is a bit more capable than the movie needs to be.
6
American Flyers (1985)
Like Marcus Sommers
American Flyers is a sports drama directed by John Badham, centered on two brothers, portrayed by Kevin Costner and David Grant, who reconnect and face personal challenges while competing in a horror bicycle race known as “The Hell of the West.” The film blends elements of family, health struggles and determination against the backdrop of competitive cycling.
- Director
-
John Badham
- Release date
-
August 16, 1985
- Writers
-
Steve Tesik
- runtime
-
113 minutes
Just before Kevin Costner found his breakout roles in Silverdo And The UntouchablesHe starred in this early sports movie. American flyers is a 1985 film that Costner stars as Marcus Sommers, a sports doctor and competitive cyclist Who takes his young brother David along with him on his determined journey to win. Along the way, the brothers are forced to confront the possible tragedy lying ahead of them.
Cycling is not a sport that is often seen in movies, but it is fun and exciting here, providing an inventive approach to the typical road trip movie. Costner was still an unknown actor at the time, so his name could not be counted on to save the movie from becoming a box office bomb. However, it is also clear to see that Costner was a star in the making and the film earned solid reviews For its fine mix of a simple sports story and a touching family drama about the two brothers.
5
draft day (2014)
As Sonny Weaver Jr.
Draft Day starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Leary and Jennifer Garner, is a drama and sports-centric film directed by Ivan Reitman. The 2014 release has Costner posing as the general manager for the Cleveland Browns and the tense moments and decisions that must be made when the NFL team acquires the first pick in the upcoming draft.
- Release date
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April 7, 2014
- runtime
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120 minutes
Most of Kevin Costner’s sports movies find the actor stepping onto the field or participating in the action. however, Design date Does things differently in a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important days in the NFL. This 2014 film follows Costner’s fictional Cleveland Browns general manager, Sonny Weaver Jr., as he prepares for the NFL draftAgonizing over who to select with the first overall pick after being forced to trade up to number one by the team’s owner.
Costner gives a revered performance as a man fighting out of his underdog position with risky deals and risky decisions.
Those looking for a lot of sports action will be disappointed Design dateBut it’s an entertaining and fast-paced drama that takes a unique look at the genre. With the entire movie taking place over a matter of hours, there is a lot of excitement to the story. Costner gives a revered performance as a man fighting out of his underdog position with risky deals and risky decisions. Costner is also supported by a strong supporting cast that includes Jennifer Garner, Sam Elliott and Chadwick Boseman in an early role.
4
Teen Cop (1996)
Like Roy “Teen Cop” McAvoy
of Caddyshack to Happy GilmoreThere’s something about golf that makes this generally gentle sport perfect for comedies. tin cup Goes a little further by adding some romance into the mix. The film goes Kevin Costner’s Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, a former golf prodigy whose interest in the game is reignited When he meets and falls in love with the girlfriend of one of his college teammates.
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tin cup has been well received by fans and critics, and its blend of comedy and drama creates an engaging story that is thoroughly entertaining. Costner received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance, which is one of the lighter ones of his career. It’s a lot of fun watching him be goofy as the unorthodox golfer whose passion for the game is only outweighed by his stubbornness. It builds to a wonderful climax that defies sports movie conventions and still leaves audiences satisfied.
3
McFarland, USA (2015)
Like Jim White
McFarland, USA is a sports drama film directed by Niki Caro. It stars Kevin Costner as a high school football coach who moves to a small, predominantly Latino town in California and turns a group of students into a championship cross-country team. Through perseverance and community support, the team overcomes various obstacles, capturing the essence of determination and unity. The film is based on a true story.
- Director
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Nicky Caro
- Release date
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20 February 2015
- Figure
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Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Maria Bello, Johnny Ortiz, Diana Maria Riva
Sports movies based on true stories have an added impact on audiences and Kevin Costner embraces such an inspiring feel-good story. McFarland, USA is a 2015 film that has stars Costner as Jim White, the coach of a high school cross-country team in McFarland, California. The story Follows White’s leadership of his mostly Latino team as they claw their way to the state championship, which they win in truly inspirational fashion.
McFarland, USA is full of valuable lessons in perseverance and determination, and Costner’s performance meets his usual standard of excellence. As the only big name in the cast, Costner allows the young costars to shine, but he also carries the film as a man who pushes his athletes to their full potential, but also has his eyes open to their struggles that he can’t understand. . Although the movie does not break any new ground in terms of its story, it delivers a crowd-pleasing and entertaining sports story.
2
Field of Dreams (1989)
Like Ray Kinsella
Based on a novel by WP Kinsella, Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, a farmer living in Iowa who one evening begins to hear a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. Ray, an avid baseball fan, takes on the project in hopes of honoring his late father. Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster also star.
- Director
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Phil Alden Robinson
- Release date
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May 5, 1989
Field of dreams is one of the most iconic sports movies ever created, blending the love of sports with a touching story about fathers and sons. Costner stars as Ray Kinsella, a farmer who decides to build a baseball field in his cornfield after a vision of a deceased baseball legend, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. Ray builds the field and more dead baseball legends begin to appear to him, prompting him to start selling tickets to the games played there to avoid the bank foreclosing on his farm.
Field of dreams is one of the most inspirational sports films ever made, and in 2017, it was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry. It was also nominated for several Academy Awards, And its cultural prevalence has only increased since its release. The field built for the movie remains open to tourists, and in 2019, the MLB constructed a small stadium adjacent to the original in which an annual Field of dreams Game is played.
The movie’s odd premise has a fairy tale element to it, but it’s Costner’s performance that helps keep things grounded. He plays Ray as a man who is in disbelief about his own actions but is determined to follow through on them. His childlike excitement about it all adds a lot of charm to the story.
1
Bull Durham (1988)
Like Crash Davis
Veteran catcher Crash Davis was brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, “Nuke” LaLouche. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men.
- Director
-
Ron Shelton
- Release date
-
June 15, 1988
- Figure
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Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Terry Wilson, Robert Wuhl, William O’Leary
Bull Durham Is not only Kevin Costern’s best sports movie but it is also considered by many to be the best film of his career. It is a sharply written and expertly acted movie that blends a fun baseball story with comedy and romance. Costner plays Crash Davis, a veteran player in the minor leagues who is brought in to help mentor a new talent, Sure, still inconsistent pitcher (Tim Robbins). Meanwhile, the two ballplayers find themselves fighting for the affections of a passionate fan (Susan Sarandon).
Bull Durham Is ranked as the greatest sports movie of all time by Sports Illustrated, And it’s the best reviewed sports movie ever on Rotten Tomatoes. Although it may not have the same cultural impact as Field of dreams, Bull Durham Tells a superior story and its clever comedy puts it a step above other sports films.
Costner gives one of the best performances of his career, playing the swagger of a player who has been around for a long time with the sadness of reaching the end of his career. He’s funny and charming and also pulls off the romantic lead just as convincingly.