Kevin Costner’s Best Film Shows He’s More Than a Western Star
Kevin Costner Is Known for Westerns, But His Best Film Shows He’s a Sports Movie Legend
Kevin Costner has long been associated with the Western genre. From his Oscar-winning directorial debut Dances with Wolves to his rugged performance in Open Range and his leading role in Yellowstone, Costner has become a modern icon of the American West. But while Westerns helped define his image, they don’t necessarily represent the peak of his film career.
In fact, according to Rotten Tomatoes, Costner’s highest-rated film isn’t a Western at all — it’s a sports movie.
Bull Durham Is Costner’s Best-Rated Movie
Among the many standout films in Costner’s career, Bull Durham tops the list with an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The 1988 baseball classic stars Costner as Crash Davis, a seasoned minor league catcher brought in to mentor a wild but talented young pitcher, played by Tim Robbins. Alongside them is Susan Sarandon as Annie Savoy, the team’s biggest fan, who becomes entangled in a romantic triangle with both men.
Blending romantic comedy with sports drama, Bull Durham redefined what a sports movie could be — funny, smart, and full of heart. Costner’s performance is among his best, perfectly capturing the bittersweet charm of an athlete nearing the end of his career. His natural charisma and easy chemistry with the cast make the character feel grounded and deeply human.
Costner’s Real Strength Lies in Sports Films
While Costner’s Westerns have had an undeniable cultural impact, his sports films reveal a different — and arguably more compelling — side of his talent. He isn’t just playing the hero on horseback; in his sports roles, he’s often vulnerable, introspective, and quietly powerful.
Costner’s filmography includes not only Bull Durham, but also Field of Dreams, another all-time great baseball film that blends sports with fantasy and emotional depth. McFarland, USA showcases him as a high school track coach inspiring a group of underdog athletes, while Tin Cup lets him explore a comedic, more reckless persona in the world of golf. Even lesser-known titles like Draft Day and For Love of the Game offer strong performances and compelling stories.
The Western Legacy Is Mixed
That’s not to say Costner’s Westerns aren’t important. Open Range stands out as a beautifully made, emotionally resonant modern Western and one of his best directorial efforts. Silverado offers a lighter, more adventurous take on the genre, with a rare comedic turn from Costner.
However, not all his Westerns have aged well. Dances with Wolves, despite its critical acclaim at the time, has faced criticism over the years. Wyatt Earp was a high-profile misfire, and Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, while ambitious, hasn’t yet made the impact some hoped for.
Sports Are Where Costner Shines
In the end, Costner’s love for both genres is clear, but it’s in sports films that he seems most at home. Whether he’s on the baseball diamond, golf course, or football war room, these roles give him room to be funny, flawed, and deeply human. His performances in these films resonate not just with sports fans, but with anyone who’s ever wrestled with passion, failure, and redemption.
Kevin Costner may be the face of the modern Western — but his legacy is just as firmly rooted in the world of sports.
