“19 Years Later, Kevin Costner’s Forgotten Military Action Movie With 37% RT Score Tops Free Streaming Chart”
Nearly Two Decades Later, Kevin Costner’s Forgotten Coast Guard Drama Makes a Streaming Comeback
Once adrift in the sea of forgotten films, The Guardian has made an unexpected return—this time riding a wave of popularity on a free streaming platform. Released in 2006, the military action drama stars Kevin Costner as a legendary rescue swimmer for the U.S. Coast Guard, and is now outperforming many newer titles in the streaming space.
Directed by Andrew Davis (The Fugitive) and written by Ron L. Brinkerhoff, The Guardian centers on Ben Randall (Costner), a veteran Coast Guard swimmer haunted by a tragic mission that cost his team their lives. Channeling his grief into purpose, Randall dedicates himself to training a new generation of rescuers, including cocky but gifted swim champ Jake Fischer (played by Ashton Kutcher). The story takes both men into the frigid, dangerous waters of the Bering Strait—where survival depends on more than just strength and skill.
In addition to Costner and Kutcher, the cast features a strong lineup of talent including Neal McDonough, Melissa Sagemiller, Clancy Brown, Brian Geraghty, Sela Ward, Omari Hardwick, Bonnie Bramlett, John Heard, Dulé Hill, Tilky Jones, and Travis Willingham.
Upon release, The Guardian received mixed reviews. While some applauded the film for highlighting the often-overlooked heroism of the Coast Guard, critics called out its reliance on familiar military-drama clichés. The result: a modest 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, however, were far more receptive, giving it a solid 80% rating, suggesting the film’s emotional core and action sequences struck a chord.
Now streaming for free—and also available on Prime Video—The Guardian is finding new life and appreciation nearly 20 years after its debut. The renewed interest comes as Kevin Costner continues to dominate headlines, thanks to his high-profile exit from Yellowstone and his ambitious Western project Horizon: An American Saga. From ocean rescues to frontier epics, Costner proves he’s still a magnetic force in Hollywood, even when revisiting his overlooked titles.
