Kevin Costner as Hayes Ellison in New Line Cinema's Western drama 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter One', a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
Kevin Costner as Hayes Ellison in New Line Cinema's Western drama 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter One', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Richard Foreman. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With the exception of his classic sports films like 'Bull Durham', 'Field of Dreams', 'Tin Cup' and 'Draft Day,' Oscar-winning actor and director Kevin Costner is probably best known for making Westerns, both on TV and the big screen.

One of his earliest film roles was in the classic Western 'Silverado', and he would go on to make the Academy Award winning 'Dances with Wolves', which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He's appeared in other Westerns over the years like 'Wyatt Earp', 'Open Range' and 'Let Him Go,' but he might be best known to television audiences as John Dutton III on 'Yellowstone'.

While Costner has officially left the popular series, fans can see him ride a horse once again in 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1,' which he also directed and will open in theaters on June 28th.

In addition, Costner has three sequels to 'Horizon' planned, with 'Chapter 2' already completed and scheduled for release on August 16th. 'Chapter 3' began shooting earlier this year, and 'Chapter 4' is still in development.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every Western Kevin Costner has ever made, including 'Horizon - Chapter 1' and his TV work.

NOTE: For this list we are including both traditional Westerns as well as contemporary Westerns.

Let's begin!


11. 'The Postman' (1997)

Kevin Costner in 'The Postman'.
Kevin Costner in 'The Postman'. Photo: Warner Bros..

In 2013, there are no highways, no I-ways, no dreams of a better tomorrow, only scattered survivors across what was once the Unites States. Into this apocalyptic wasteland comes an enigmatic drifter (Costner) with a mule, a knack for Shakespeare, and something yet undiscovered: the power to inspire hope.

The Postman
The Postman
"The year is 2013. One man walked in off the horizon and hope came with him."
63
Audience
Release Dec 25, 1997Runtime 2h 58mBudget $80M

10. 'Wyatt Earp' (1994)

Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid in 'Wyatt Earp'.
(L to R) Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid in 'Wyatt Earp'. Photo: Warner Bros.

From Wichita to Dodge City, to the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Wyatt Earp (Costner) is taught that nothing matters more than family and the law. Joined by his brothers and Doc Holliday (Dennis Quaid), Earp wages war on the dreaded Clanton and McLaury gangs.

Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
"The epic story of love and adventure in a lawless land."
68
Audience
Release Jun 24, 1994Runtime 3h 11mBudget $63M

9. 'Hatfields & McCoys' (2012)

Kevin Costner in 'Hatfields & McCoys'.
Kevin Costner in 'Hatfields & McCoys'. Photo: Sony Pictures Television.

It’s the true American story of a legendary family feud—one that spanned decades and nearly launched a war between Kentucky and West Virginia. The Hatfield-McCoy saga begins with Devil Anse Hatfield (Costner) and Randall McCoy (Bill Paxton) ... Close friends and comrades until near the end of the Civil War, they return to their neighboring homes—Hatfield in West Virginia, McCoy just across the Tug River border in Kentucky—to increasing tensions, misunderstandings and resentments that soon explode into all-out warfare between their families. As hostilities grow, friends, neighbors and outside forces join the fight, bringing the two states to the brink of another civil war.

Hatfields & McCoys
Hatfields & McCoys
"Never Forgive. Never Forget."
75
Audience
Release May 28, 2012

8. 'A Perfect World' (1993)

Kevin Costner and T. J. Lowther in 'A Perfect World'.
(L to R) Kevin Costner and T. J. Lowther in 'A Perfect World'. Photo: Warner Bros.

A kidnapped boy (T. J. Lowther) strikes up a friendship with his captor (Costner), an escaped convict on the run from the law, headed by an honorable U.S. Marshal (Clint Eastwood).

A Perfect World
A Perfect World
"A convict. A cop. A hostage that will make one of them a hero."
75
Audience
Release Nov 24, 1993Runtime 2h 18mBudget $30M

7. 'The Highwaymen' (2019)

Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner in 'The Highwaymen'.
(L to R) Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner in 'The Highwaymen'. Photo: Netflix.

In 1934, Frank Hamer (Costner) and Manny Gault (Woody Harrelson), two former Texas Rangers, are commissioned to put an end to the wave of vicious crimes perpetrated by Bonnie Parker (Emily Brobst) and Clyde Barrow (Edward Bossert), a notorious duo of infamous robbers and cold-blooded killers who nevertheless are worshiped by the public.

The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen
"The legends who took down Bonnie & Clyde"
68
Audience
Release Mar 29, 2019Runtime 2h 13mBudget $49M

6. 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1' (2024)

Kevin Costner as Hayes Ellison in New Line Cinema's Western drama 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1', a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
Kevin Costner as Hayes Ellison in New Line Cinema's Western drama 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Richard Foreman. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Explore the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
"The American saga begins this summer."
68
Audience
65
Review
Release Jun 28, 2024Runtime 3h 2mBudget $50M

5. 'Let Him Go' (2020)

Kevin Costner and Diane Lane in 'Let Him Go'.
(L to R) Kevin Costner and Diane Lane in 'Let Him Go'. Photo: Focus Features.

Following the loss of their son, a retired sheriff (Costner) and his wife (Diane Lane) leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas.

Let Him Go
Let Him Go
"Fight for family."
68
Audience
Release Nov 6, 2020Runtime 1h 54mBudget $21M

4. 'Open Range' (2003)

Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall in 'Open Range'.
(L to R) Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall in 'Open Range'. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

A former gunslinger (Costner) is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman (Michael Gambon).

Open Range
Open Range
"No place to run. No reason to hide."
72
Audience
Release Aug 15, 2003Runtime 2h 19mBudget $22M

3. 'Yellowstone' (2018 - 2023)

Kevin Costner as John Dutton III in Paramount Network's 'Yellowstone' season 5.
Kevin Costner as John Dutton III in Paramount Network's 'Yellowstone' season 5. Credit: Paramount Network.

Follow the violent world of the Dutton family, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Led by their patriarch John Dutton (Costner), the family defends their property against constant attack by land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first National Park.

Yellowstone
Yellowstone
"My land, my rules."
83
Audience
Release Jun 20, 2018

2. 'Silverado' (1985)

Danny Glover, Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn and Kevin Costner in 'Silverado'.
(L to R) Danny Glover, Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn and Kevin Costner in 'Silverado'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Four unwitting heroes (Scott Glenn, Kevin Kline, Danny Glover and Costner) cross paths on their journey to the sleepy town of Silverado. Little do they know the town where their family and friends reside has been taken over by a corrupt sheriff (Brian Dennehy) and a murderous posse. It's up to the sharp-shooting foursome to save the day, but first they have to break each other out of jail, and learn who their real friends are.

Silverado
Silverado
"Four strangers become friends. Four friends become heroes. On the road to Silverado."
69
Audience
Release Jul 10, 1985Runtime 2h 13mBudget $23M

1. 'Dances with Wolves' (1990)

Kevin Costner in 'Dances with Wolves'.
Kevin Costner in 'Dances with Wolves'. Photo: Orion Pictures.

Wounded Civil War soldier, John Dunbar (Costner) tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

Dances with Wolves
Dances with Wolves
"Inside everyone is a frontier waiting to be discovered."
78
Audience
Release Nov 21, 1990Runtime 3h 1mBudget $22M