Kevin Costner’s Underrated Western Gem (78% on Rotten Tomatoes) Finds a New Streaming Home

Kevin Costner’s Western Classic Silverado Now Streaming Free on Tubi

Few actors have done more to keep the Western genre alive than Kevin Costner. From his Oscar-winning directorial debut Dances with Wolves to his recent success with Yellowstone, Costner has remained deeply committed to Western storytelling—even investing heavily in his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga. Though the first chapter of the ambitious five-part saga underperformed at the box office last year, and the second film’s release remains uncertain, Costner’s influence in the genre is undeniable.

That legacy began taking shape with 1985’s Silverado, now available to stream for free on Tubi.

Directed by Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark), Silverado helped revitalize the Western at a time when the genre had largely faded from Hollywood’s spotlight. The film stars Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Rosanna Arquette, John Cleese, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover—and a then-rising Kevin Costner in a breakout role.

Produced for $23 million, Silverado earned around $32 million in theaters and has only grown in stature through TV reruns and streaming. It holds a solid 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as “a rare example of an ’80s Hollywood Western done right.”

At the time of its release, the genre was struggling to find its place again. The golden age of John Wayne had ended, and even Clint Eastwood had only a few Westerns left in his filmography. Silverado stood out as a fresh take that honored tradition while feeling modern.

In a reflective Instagram post last year, Costner called Silverado a “career-making movie,” sharing:

“I’ll never forget my joy at finally being in a Western movie. It has been my life’s dream since being glued to my seat watching How the West Was Won when I was seven years old.”

That joy still fuels his work on Horizon, despite the financial setbacks. While the saga’s future is uncertain, you can revisit the roots of Costner’s Western journey today. Stream Silverado for free on Tubi, and catch Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 on HBO Max.