Kevin Costner Has Many Classic Westerns, But It’s Not His Best Genre
Kevin Costner is widely recognized as a modern icon of the Western genre, and for good reason. However, his body of work in another genre—sports films—is even broader and arguably more impressive. While his Western movies have been a significant part of his career and helped define his image—especially with his popular role as John Dutton in the hit neo-Western series Yellowstone, as well as his ambitious multi-film project Horizon: An American Saga—his involvement in Westerns stretches far back, including some of his most celebrated performances.
At the same time, Costner’s contributions to sports movies have been equally important, producing some of his finest work. Both genres offer exciting, crowd-pleasing stories but showcase very different sides of Costner as an actor. Although fans often debate which genre represents the pinnacle of his career, a closer look suggests that Costner truly shines in the sports genre.
Kevin Costner’s Western Legacy: Iconic and Award-Winning
It’s understandable that Kevin Costner is more commonly associated with Westerns, as they have been pivotal in building his Hollywood legacy. After several smaller roles, Costner’s breakout came in the lively Western ensemble Silverado, where he played Jake, a charismatic gunslinger who stole scenes alongside Kevin Kline and Danny Glover. This role led to bigger opportunities in films like The Untouchables and No Way Out.
But it was Dances with Wolves that truly established Costner as a top-tier Hollywood star. Based on Michael Blake’s novel, the film follows a Union officer during the Civil War who forms a close bond with the Sioux tribe. Costner not only starred in the film but also made his directorial debut, earning Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
Even after some career setbacks, Costner used Westerns to reassert his place in Hollywood. His directorial effort Open Range marked a successful comeback, and his ongoing role as John Dutton in Yellowstone revived his career once again, paving the way for Horizon: An American Saga. These Western projects have been a constant thread throughout his career.
Bull Durham: Possibly the Greatest Sports Movie Ever Made
While Costner’s Westerns are acclaimed, none have reached the status of the greatest Western of all time. In contrast, he may have achieved something similar in the sports genre with Bull Durham. Costner stars as Crash Davis, a seasoned minor league catcher mentoring a young, talented pitcher (Tim Robbins), both of whom vie for the affection of the same woman (Susan Sarandon).
Bull Durham perfectly captures the romance and passion of baseball. It successfully blends genres, working as a romantic comedy set against the richly detailed backdrop of minor league baseball. The sport is not just a setting—it’s a central part of the characters’ lives, symbolizing different things to each of them. Among the many baseball movies made, Bull Durham stands out for showing why people fall in love with the game.
More Sports Films Than Westerns
Surprisingly, Costner has appeared in more sports movies than Westerns. This trend began early in his career, even before Silverado. One of his first significant roles was in the lesser-known baseball movie Chasing Dreams, followed by the cycling drama American Flyers.
After gaining fame in The Untouchables and No Way Out, Costner solidified his star status with Bull Durham and Field of Dreams. Although the mid-90s brought some underwhelming movies like Wyatt Earp and For Love of the Game, Tin Cup—a golf rom-com—remains a beloved underrated classic. Costner later took on more mature sports roles in films such as Draft Day and McFarland, USA.
So far, Costner has starred in eight sports movies and six Westerns, including the neo-Western Let Him Go. This balance could shift if he completes his planned Horizon trilogy.
Where Kevin Costner Truly Excels: Sports Movies
Comparing Costner’s Westerns and sports films isn’t easy, but the sports genre arguably showcases his best and most diverse work. While his Westerns are impressive, it’s his sports movies—particularly Bull Durham and Field of Dreams—that have had a more lasting cultural impact and continue to be beloved decades later.
These films highlight Costner’s versatility. Though both baseball movies were released close together, they couldn’t be more different. Bull Durham is a witty, charming rom-com, while Field of Dreams is a magical, heartfelt story about fathers and sons.
The sports genre has allowed Costner to explore a wider emotional range, playing grounded, relatable characters rather than the stoic heroes typical of his Western roles. His portrayal of Crash Davis is considered one of his best performances—bringing humor, charm, and vulnerability to a man confronting the end of his playing days. In Field of Dreams, Costner’s performance anchors a whimsical tale with heartfelt conviction.
Though Costner is great in Westerns, they often cast him as the archetypal stoic hero, aside from his lighter turn in Silverado. The sports genre, however, has given him more complex characters and greater range throughout his career. Films like Field of Dreams and Bull Durham serve as enduring reminders of why Kevin Costner remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors.
