The best of Kevin Costner's movies showcase the iconic career of one of Hollywood's most famous movie stars. While a lot of fans might know Costner best for his role in Yellowstone, he has an extensive and impressive movie career behind him that helped to make him one of the biggest stars in the world, earned big box office successes, and won him a couple of Oscars over the years. Paired with his work as a director, Costner's acting career in movies has delivered so many notable roles.

Costner's career has had a fascinating trajectory over the years. He started out as a struggling actor with ing roles in big movies before breaking out and becoming one of Hollywood's most popular leading men. While he slipped away from being the biggest man in Hollywood after some cinematic failures, he bounced back and has focused more on character actor roles in a variety of films. While Costner is heavily consumed with his Horizon saga of movies right now, his best movies offer a lot for fans to look back on.

15 Man Of Steel (2013)

As Jonathan Kent

Kevin Costner took on an iconic DC comic book character in Zack Snyder's kickoff of the Snyderverse while also taking part in one of the most controversial moments in comic book movie history. Man of Steel is the epic retelling of the legend of Superman with Henry Cavill taking on the role in the story of his life before moving to Metropolis as Clark Kent, living an isolated life, attempting to hide his amazing abilities from the world.

The movie earned a mixed reaction, with some not liking the darker take on Superman.

Costner is a big part of this story as Jonathan Kent, the kind farmer who adopted Kal-El as a child and raised him. This is a unique take on the paternal character, as Jonathan is a loving father, but he is convinced that Clark should not use his powers to intervene and save people because it risks exposing him to the world. The movie earned a mixed reaction, with some not liking the darker take on Superman, but it has gained more appreciation over the years. Costner helps to ground the story with his reserved yet effective performance.

14 Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)

As Robin Hood

Kevin Costner is perhaps not the first person fans think of to play Robin Hood, but the result is a rollicking fun adventure movie. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves finds Costner playing the legendary hero who returns to his old home of Nottingham to find it taken over by the corrupt and evil Sheriff (Alan Rickman). Hiding out in the forest and assembling an army of his "merry men," Robin becomes an outlaw for the people.

Rent Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on Apple TV.

There has been a lot made about Costner's flimsy accent in the movie, and it is certainly not his best performance, but he does pull off the dashing and charming hero role better than he has been given credit for. However, the film itself excels as pure Hollywood entertainment. It is a big-budget adventure movie that is not really made the same way anymore and still holds up as a fun time decades later. However, the highlight of the movie is Rickman's hugely entertaining villain performance.

13 McFarland, USA (2015)

As Coach Jim White

Kevin Costner has a quality as an actor that seems tailor-made for inspirational sports dramas. McFarland USA is one such film that stars Costner as a man who takes a job as a gym teacher at a small high school after losing his football coaching job. There he finds a group of talented Latino students who he transforms into a competitive cross-country team.

Critics itted that the film does not break any new ground with its familiar underdog story. However, the formula proves to work thanks to a lot of heart, humor, and a solid lead performance from Costner. He balances the mentor character well, pushing the boys to reach their full potential while also coming to understand the hardships they face. Cross-country is not a sport that is often represented in Hollywood movies, but director Nikki Caro does a good job making it exciting, easy to follow, and cinematic.

12 Molly's Game (2017)

As Larry Bloom

Aaron Sorkin has established a successful career as a celebrated screenwriter, but Molly's Game was the first time he stepped behind the camera to direct. This real-life story follows Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a former Olympic athlete who makes a more infamous name for herself by hosting high-stakes poker games. Her unexpected journey to fortune ultimately puts her in the crosshairs of the law. Also at the center of the story is her struggles with her estranged father (Costner).

Costner is known as an iconic movie star, but Molly's Game showed how effective he can be in a ing role. His character of Larry Bloom is a complex one, as he is a flawed family man whose mistakes have led to his poor relationship with his daughter. However, when she is at her lowest, he is there with some helpful fatherly . Sorkin delivers another clever and energetic script while also proving his skills as a director. Chastain is excellent in the complex leading role.

11 Thirteen Days (2000)

As Ken O'Donnell

Kevin Costner has featured in a number of political thrillers throughout his career. While Thirteen Days might not be the most famous one, it is still a gripping film worth checking out. Set during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the movie takes a look behind closed doors as President John F. Kennedy and his most trusted advisors attempt to handle the situation before it escalates into a conflict that could end the whole world.

Rent Thirteen Days on Apple TV.

Costner plays Ken O'Donnell, a consultant and friend to President Kennedy who helps guide the president away from a devastating war. The talented cast adds a lot to this tense and compelling story of one of the most significant moments in American history. While Bruce Greenwood is the standout with his performance as Kennedy, Costner helps to ground the story with his nuanced performance within the tense and claustrophobic tale.

10 Hidden Figures (2016)

As Al Harrison

Hidden Figures is one of those incredible true stories that, amazingly, has been kept a secret for all these years. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe as the female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in the early years of NASA's space program. Along with the rest of the ing cast including Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, and Glen Powell, Costner stands out as Al Harrison, Henson's tough but ive boss.

It is a movie filled with wonderful performances and positive energy, earning it high praise from critics and three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

The movie is a charming, heartwarming, and crowd-pleasing story that celebrates these real-life individuals who never got the recognition they deserved. While the racial politics of the era are explored in a surface-level way, it is an inspiring look at people who defied society and conventions to show their brilliance. It is a movie filled with wonderful performances and positive energy, earning it high praise from critics and three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

9 Silverado (1985)

As Jake

In Kevin Costner's first Western movie, the actor played a role much different from the stoic and series Western heroes he is known for. Silverado is a Western adventure with a nice comedic tone that follows a misfit collection of unlikely heroes who come together in a small town in order to right an injustice that has been done. Costner plays the youngest of the group, the gung-ho gunslinger Jake.

The movie features a standout cast that includes Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, and Jeff Goldblum. However, Costner gives a breakout performance, stealing the show with the funniest and most entertaining performance in the movie. It is a lot of fun to see him playing a wilder character like this. While the Western genre was falling out of popularity at the time, Silverado's fun throwback energy helped to keep it alive a little longer.

8 Open Range (2003)

As Charley Waite

Following the failure of the post-apocalyptic drama The Postman, Kevin Costner took a five-year break from directing movies. When he did return, it was in a genre he was comfortable with and he reminded everyone of his immense talents behind the camera. Open Range partners Costner with Robert Duvall as two cattlemen who have a run-in with a corrupt sheriff. Costner's character, Charley Waite, is a reformed gunslinger who finds himself drifting back to his old ways to take on this injustice.

Stream on Open Range on Amazon Prime Video.

Costner is comfortable enough to give Duvall the more talkative role while delivering a quiet and reserved performance as a man with a dark past. However, the two make a terrific on-screen team as these unassuming heroes in a small but effective Western story. Costner is able to keep the audience hooked throughout, all leading to an excellent climatic shootout.

7 No Way Out (1987)

As Lieutenant Commander Tom Farrell

In another one of his earliest leading man roles, Kevin Costner showed his ability to carry a complex and intriguing story in a cast that featured some big names. in No Way Out, Costner plays a naval officer who investigates the murder of a politician's mistress who he was also involved with. As he digs deeper, he finds that he is being targeted for the coverup.

Stream on Tubi.

The movie is a throwback to the classic conspiracy thrillers and fits nicely among the best of the genre. Gene Hackman does great work as a politician at the center of the scandal. It is a star-making performance from Costner, with him excelling at playing the hero who is sometimes in over his head, but smarter than he is given credit for. No Way Out makes for a pulse-pounding thriller with plenty of twists and turns right up until the end.

6 Dances With Wolves (1990)

As Lieutenant John J. Dunbar

While he was already a star in Hollywood, Kevin Costner made a stunning debut as a director in this Western epic. Costner also stars in the film as a Union officer during the Civil War who is assigned to a remote outpost where he meets the local Native Americans in the area. As he learns more about these people and their culture, he forms a bond with them.

Though some critics argued that the lack of substance of the story is a weak point of the film, Costner was praised for his direction. The epic feel of the film is captured in stunning and beautiful sequences that showcase the Western frontier. The three-hour runtime of the movie did not intimidate audiences as Dances with Wolves became a huge box office success. Its success continued at the Oscars, where it won seven awards, including Best Director for Costner and Best Picture.