Kevin Costner may be leaving Yellowstone, but his filmography contains a plethora of exciting Westerns for fans to enjoy before his final scene as John Dutton plays out. Costner rose to prominence in the late ’80s, starring in a handful of highly acclaimed films including The Untouchables and Field of Dreams. He has since won two Academy Awards, a Primetime Emmy, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, placing him firmly among Hollywood’s elite.
More recently, Costner has helped Yellowstone become one of the most popular TV shows of the last decade, captivating audiences in the lead role of John Dutton. The cast of Yellowstone is brimming with talent, but Costner’s experience in the Western genre provides an essential level of credibility to the series. The multitude of engaging roles Costner has played in other Westerns, some of which have come to define the modern interpretation of the genre, are not forgotten. In the lead-up to Yellowstone’s final season, Costner’s many Westerns can provide some salve for fans’ Dutton itch.
Dances With Wolves (1990)
Dances with Wolves is a Western starring Kevin Costner, who also directed the film. It won a whopping seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner. Dances with Wolves is often credited with revitalizing the genre, earning its place as one of Costner’s best Westerns. The film follows 1st Lieutenant John Dunbar (Costner) as he abandons his life as a soldier to live with Sioux Native Americans. Dunbar becomes a member of the Sioux, but his loyalty is tested when a group of Union soldiers, his former comrades, arrive to take their land.
Silverado (1985)
Silverado is another Kevin Costner Western that was nominated for multiple Academy Awards. Unlike Dances with Wolves, it did not win any Oscars, but it has been widely praised by critics and fans alike since its release. The film follows a ragtag group of cowboys who make their way into the town of Silverado in search of wealth and purpose. They quickly realize that Silverado is under the yoke of one of their former enemies, leading to an epic showdown in the quaint Western town. Silverado is a classic Western, and Costner’s performance is as strong as always, making it worth a watch.
Wyatt Earp (1994)
Wyatt Earp is a biographical Western, starring Kevin Costner as the title character. The film follows Earp’s life from his childhood on a farm in Iowa during the American Civil War to his time as a U.S. marshal. Earp eventually finds himself living in Tombstone, Arizona, where he runs afoul of a group of outlaws called The Cowboys. Their conflict comes to a head in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Wyatt Earp is not as highly praised as many of Costner’s other films, but the high production value and Costner’s performance make it worth a watch.
Open Range (2003)
Open Range is a revisionist Western starring and directed by Kevin Costner. Open Range was successful with both critics and audiences, more than tripling its budget at the box office. In Open Range, Costner plays a ranch hand and former Union soldier named Charley Waite. Charley and Boss Spearman, his partner, fight to avenge the death of one of their men after he runs afoul of a gang in the little town of Harmonville, Montana. Open Range has an outstanding cast and a thrilling plot, making it a must-watch Costner Western.
Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
Hatfields & McCoys is a History Channel miniseries focused on the infamous feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families. The miniseries contains three two-hour episodes and received generally positive reviews upon its release. Kevin Costner stars as William “Devil Anse” Hatfield. He and his friend Randall McCoy are both heads of large, powerful families, who have a falling out after Devil Anse and Randall return from the Civil War. The ensuing conflict between these families makes for a gritty spectacle, worthy of watching for any die-hard Costner fan.