Kevin Costneris known for his Westerns, but his highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes proves there is another genre he truly excels at. Costner rose to fame in the late 1980s, with breakout roles inSilveradoandThe Untouchables. While his career has been varied since then,Costner’s Western movieshave made him an icon of the genre.
Along withCostner winning several Oscars forDances with Wolves,his Western directorial debut, Costner has also appeared inWyatt Earp, Open Range,andHorizon: An American Saga.His role asJohn Dutton inYellowstonefurther solidified his Western reputation, even though he is even better in another genre, as evidenced by his most acclaimed movie.
Bull Durham Is Kevin Costner’s Best Movie On Rotten Tomatoes
Among Kevin Costner’s many classic movies,Bull Durhamranks as his most acclaimed title, according toRotten Tomatoes.The site indicates that the 1988 sports movie has a near-perfect 97%. The film stars Costner as Crash Davis, a minor league baseball player nearing the end of his career and called in to mentor a talented but experienced pitcher (Tim Robbins).
Bull Durhamisone of the best sports movies of all time, largely because of how it is able to blend the genre with a rom-com.Susan Sarandon’s Annie Savoy provides the romance as the team’s biggest fan, who chooses one player to sleep with each season, and has narrowed it down to Crash and Robbins' Nuke.
Bull Durhampaved the way forsports movies likeChallengers, in its blending of tones and complex characters, while still celebrating the sport it is depicting and the people who love to play it.Costner gives his best performance as the charming ball player coming to grips with the idea that the game he loves is nearly done with him.
Kevin Costner’s Sports Movies Outshine His Westerns
As easy as it is to picture Kevin Costner in his Western roles, his sports movies are where he is really at his best.Bull Durhamis a reminder of how comfortable he is in this world, as well as thatBull Durhamis not the only classic he has in the genre.
When it comes to Westerns, as prolific as Costner has been, they aren’t all winners.Open Rangeremains his best Western, a genuinely great 21st-century take on the genre, while also being Costner’s most effective work as a director.Silveradois right up there with it as a fun adventure with a rare comedic performance from Costner.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1seems destined to be discovered as an underrated gem, and there is still hope for the rest of the franchise. However, beyond that, Costner’s Westerns aren’t as impressive.Dances with Wolveshasn’t aged well, despite some strong sequences, whileWyatt Earpis a disappointing misfire that pales in comparison toTombstone.
On the other hand, Costner has made the two greatest baseball movies of all time, withBull DurhamandField of Dreams. Even more impressive, they are both completely different takes on the genre.McFarland, USAandTin Cupare also excellent sports movies, taking place in the arenas of track and field and golf, respectively.
Even some of Costner’s lesser sports movies are still solid entertainment.Draft Dayis an interesting behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest days in the NFL, whileFor Love of the Gameis also another worthwhile baseball movie from the actor.Kevin Costnerobviously loves both genres, but his sports movies make up some true classics in his filmography.
