“The Kevin Costner Gangster Movie Masterpiece That Took Streaming by Storm and Launched Him to Superstardom”
It’s often said that streaming platforms don’t give enough space to classic films, but recent trends suggest it’s time they reconsider. A prime example is the overwhelming success of Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables, which made a strong impression upon its debut on Paramount+. The film quickly became one of the platform’s top 10 most-watched titles worldwide, reaching the No. 9 spot on October 17.
A standout entry in the gangster genre, The Untouchables combines the gritty appeal of crime dramas with the sweeping grandeur of classic Westerns. It was both a box office and critical success when it first hit theaters, launching Kevin Costner into the Hollywood spotlight. The film also featured a memorable performance by Sean Connery as veteran officer Jimmy Malone, a role that earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In total, the film received four Oscar nominations.
With an impressive 83% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is widely praised. Critics agree: “Slick on the surface but loaded with artful touches, Brian De Palma’s classical gangster thriller is a sharp look at period Chicago crime, featuring excellent performances from a top-notch cast.”
Costner’s stardom only continued to grow. In 1990, he solidified his place in Hollywood history with Dances with Wolves, which he not only starred in but also directed. The epic Western earned over $400 million globally on a modest $25 million budget and swept the Academy Awards. His earlier success in films like Field of Dreams, JFK, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and The Bodyguard helped cement his leading man status.
More recently, Costner found renewed fame on television with the hit Paramount+ series Yellowstone. And now, fans can revisit where his rise truly began—The Untouchables is currently streaming on the same platform.
