Kevin Costner has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry since the late
1980s, gaining recognition for his roles in action films, thrillers, and sports comedies
during the latter part of the 20th century. In the 1990s, he achieved success with
award-winning movies like ‘Dances with Wolves,’ for which he received Oscars for Best
Director and Best Picture, as well as hit films such as ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,’
‘JFK,’ and ‘The Bodyguard.’ His films, such as ‘Waterworld’ and ‘The Postman,’
showcased his dedication and versatility as both an actor and filmmaker.
As the first installment of Costner’s trilogy ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ premieres,
marking his directorial comeback after nearly two decades, let’s take a look back at the
early films that kickstarted his career according to People.
‘Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.’ Costner made his debut in the film industry in 1981 with ‘Sizzle
Beach, U.S.A.,’ a movie that he reportedly attempted to suppress due to its provocative
content. Despite his efforts, the film is still accessible for streaming on Plex.
‘Stacy’s Knights’ Following minor roles in the early 1980s, Costner’s breakthrough
came in 1983 with ‘Stacy’s Knights.’ Portraying a card-counting instructor who meets a
tragic fate at the hands of corrupt casino owners, the film can be streamed for free on
Tubi, the Roku Channel, and Sling.
‘The Gunrunner’ Initially released in 1983, ‘The Gunrunner’ featured Costner as a
young Canadian entangled with bootleggers during the 1920s after initially supplying
arms to Chinese rebels. Although re-released in 1989, the film is currently unavailable
for streaming or purchase.
‘Fandango’ In 1985, Costner secured his first leading role in the comedy ‘Fandango,’
portraying a recent college graduate embarking on a road trip before facing military
service in the Vietnam War. The movie is available for rental or purchase on various
platforms like Apple TV, YouTube, and Prime Video.
‘Silverado’ Costner regards ‘Silverado’ from 1985 as a pivotal film in his career. Acting
alongside Kevin Kline, Danny Glover, Rosanna Arquette, and Jeff Goldblum, this
action-packed Western is accessible for rental or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime
Video, and other platforms.
‘American Flyers’ Also released in 1985, ‘American Flyers’ depicted Costner as a
doctor specializing in sports medicine striving to mend his relationship with his brother
through competitive cycling. The movie can be streamed for free on Tubi and the Roku
Channel.
‘The Untouchables’ In the 1987 crime drama ‘The Untouchables’ set during the
prohibition era, Costner portrayed real-life agent Eliot Ness leading a team in the
pursuit of bringing down Al Capone. The film is presently available for streaming on
Paramount+.
‘No Way Out’ In the same time frame, Kevin Costner starred in the neo-noir suspense
film ‘No Way Out,’ alongside Gene Hackman and Sean Young, portraying a Naval
Intelligence officer caught up in a homicide investigation. The movie can be viewed at
no cost on Tubi, Pluto, and the Roku Channel, or by subscribing to MGM+.
‘Bull Durham’ Moving into the late 1980s, Costner cemented his position as a leading
figure in Hollywood with the 1988 romantic comedy ‘Bull Durham,’ where he took on the
role of a seasoned minor league baseball player. Recognized as one of the top 50
sports films of all time by Sports Illustrated, the movie is presently accessible on
Amazon Prime Video.
‘Field of Dreams’ Following ‘Bull Durham’ in 1989, Costner continued his streak with
another beloved baseball film, ‘Field of Dreams.’ Portraying an Iowa farmer who
constructs a baseball field in his cornfield, attracting the spirits of past players, the
movie is currently streamable with an Apple TV+ membership until June 30.