Kevin Costner’s Overlooked ’90s Romance Finds New Life on Streaming
Kevin Costner’s Underrated ’90s Romance Is a Surprise Streaming Hit
Kevin Costner continues to be a reliable favorite on streaming platforms. Whether it’s acclaimed classics like Dances with Wolves and Open Range, or the long-running success of Yellowstone, Costner’s projects frequently dominate streaming charts. But it’s not just his most famous roles that are making waves—one of his lesser-known films from the ’90s has quietly climbed into the top 10 most-watched movies on Tubi.
That film is Message in a Bottle, a romantic drama released in 1999 that pairs Costner with Wonder Woman star Robin Wright, along with the late Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter) and Oscar winner Paul Newman. While critics weren’t kind—Message in a Bottle holds a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—it resonates more strongly with audiences, who’ve given it a 66% score. The movie now ranks among Tubi’s top-streamed titles, joining other nostalgic picks like Mystic Pizza (1988), the sci-fi cult film Dreamcatcher (2003), and the horror sequel Jeepers Creepers 2.
For those who missed it the first time around, here’s what it’s about:
While jogging on the beach, journalist Theresa Osborne (Wright) discovers a bottle washed ashore. Inside is a heartfelt, anonymous love letter. Moved by the message, Theresa’s newspaper publishes it, prompting her to find the letter’s author—reclusive widower Garret Blake (Costner) in the Carolinas. As she gets to know him, an emotional romance develops, complicated by the secret reason behind her visit.
Did Message in a Bottle Make Waves at the Box Office?
Back in 1999, Message in a Bottle faced tough competition from major blockbusters like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Toy Story 2. Despite a solid cast and romantic appeal, it struggled to break through. On a reported $30 million budget, it earned $52 million at the domestic box office—falling short of what was needed to be considered a financial hit.
Still, its unexpected success on Tubi today proves that even decades later, audiences are discovering—or rediscovering—Costner’s forgotten romantic gem. Streaming has given this quiet love story a second life, and perhaps the audience it always deserved.
