Kevin Costner's career highs and lows to date

The actor's love of the game was clearly evident because he followed one baseball-themed movie with another. And similarly, 'Field of Dreams' was a hit with critics, with one noting Costner's "eye-on-the-ball exuberance." Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster (pictured) makes an appearance in the film, and then-teenagers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are seen as extras in the Fenway Park scene.

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'Dances with Wolves' (1990) -

'Dances with Wolves' was a triumph. Enthusiastic reviews from critics and audiences alike, plus a huge return at the box office, cemented Costner's reputation as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He was also credited with revitalizing the Western genre of filmmaking.

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'Dances with Wolves' (1990) -

The film was nominated for 12 Oscars and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner.

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'Revenge' (1990) -

Costner chose to follow up his smash hit Western with this romantic thriller, directed by Tony Scott. Co-starring Hollywood veteran Anthony Quinn, the film garnered generally positive reviews.

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'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' (1991) -

Despite becoming the second-highest grossing film of 1991, and with co-stars Morgan Freeman and Alan Rickman praised for their roles, Costner's effort in this version of the English folk tale received lukewarm reviews from many critics.

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'JFK' (1991) -

However, the actor was back on form with Oliver Stone's controversial but absolutely compelling take on the events leading up to, during, and after the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

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'The Bodyguard' (1992) -

This was Whitney Houston's acting debut, and the film was a huge box-office success. However, it fell flat with critics. Costner was even nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Actor.

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'A Perfect World' (1993) -

It took Clint Eastwood to get Costner back on track, with the veteran actor-director taking charge of this road movie set in the early 1960s.

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'A Perfect World' (1993) -

Eastwood (seen here between takes with Costner) co-starred in the film, and was praised for bringing out in the actor what many regarded as his finest performance to date. A "subtly nuanced portrayal" is how one critic described Costner's handling of his character, an escaped convict who befriends a young boy.

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'Wyatt Earp' (1994) -

Unfortunately Costner's next film, a take on the notorious Tombstone lawman, was shot down by critics, with one deriding it as a "rambling and unfocused biography." The movie was a box-office flop.

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'The War' (1994) -

Kevin Costner took second billing to a young, pre-fame Elijah Wood in this film about an emotionally scarred Vietnam veteran (Costner) who returns home and has to reconnect with his family. It didn't do much for Costner's career and made little money, but it did garner Wood a nomination for a YoungStar Award.

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'Waterworld' (1995) -

Costner went overboard with this post-apocalyptic action film, at the time the most expensive movie ever made. Mixed reviews effectively sunk the production, though it has since found cult status among cinema audiences, not least for its plot premise. The movie is set in a world where, due to the melting of the polar ice caps, sea levels have covered every continent.

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'Tin Cup' (1996) -

Back on dry land and familiar turf, 'Tin Cup' is a sports-themed romantic comedy set against the backdrop of professional golf. Rene Russo and Don Johnson co-star. The movie debuted at number one at the US box office, and was liked by critics.

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'The Postman' (1997) -

If one film defines Kevin Costner's career low point, it's this one. A notable failure at the box office, 'The Postman' was also lambasted for its "mawkish jingoism" and "goofy" pretension. Not the actor's finest hour—actually, it was a whole two hours and 57 minutes!

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'Message in a Bottle' (1999) -

Not even the presence of Paul Newman could save this romantic drama from the poison pens of critics everywhere. Indeed, Costner ended the '90s a long way off from 'Dancing with Wolves.' But at least 'Message in a Bottle' saw a modest box-office return.

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'Thirteen Days' (2000) -

The new decade saw a brief revival in the actor's career with this dramatization of the Cuban missile crisis as seen from the perspective of the US political leadership. Costner plays White House assistant Kenneth P. O'Donnell in a film set during the two weeks that nearly led to the start of WWIII. The acting was fine, but the movie, er, bombed at the box office.

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'The Upside of Anger' (2005) -

A low-key drama that has Costner playing opposite Joan Allen, 'The Upside of Anger' deals with romantic dilemmas and family dynamics. Rotten Tomatoes describes: "A comedy/drama for grown-ups, with fine performances by Allen and Costner." It was a modest financial success.

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'The Guardian' (2006) -

A film that perhaps should have done better, 'The Guardian' features the actor as a top rescue swimmer with the US Coast Guard whose career is coming to an end. Upstart rookie (Ashton Kutcher) arrives on the scene to challenge his authority. The movie starts well, but eventually drowns under the weight of its own clichés, this according to the general critical consensus. It was saved by a modest box-office return.

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'Mr. Brooks' (2007) -

Playing against type, Costner's serial killer character Earl Brooks is often controlled by his murderous and mayhem-loving alter ego in this psychological thriller. Despite some genuine intrigue, the film failed to live up to expectations.

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'The Company Men' (2010) -

Costner's role in this well-received drama was as support to an on-form Ben Affleck. At one point the film was actually considered an Oscar contender, but ultimately did not get a nomination.

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'Hatfields & McCoys' (2012) -

In 2012, Costner appeared in this three-part Western television miniseries, which was met with favorable reviews. Indeed, he put up a sterling performance to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.

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'Hatfields & McCoys' (2012) -

The actor also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for his portrayal of William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield.

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'McFarland, USA' (2015) -

Returning again to a sports theme, 'McFarland, USA' sees the actor playing a cross-country running coach in this Walt Disney Pictures production, which won plaudits from critics and audiences alike.

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'Hidden Figures' (2016) -

Chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top 10 films of 2016, the film follows the true story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race. Costner plays the director of the Space Task Group. Critics were star struck, and box-office receipts hit the stratosphere.

Kevin Costner's career highs and lows to date

The actor's best and worst films revisited

15/01/20 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Retrospective

Academy Award winner Kevin Costner has starred in some of Hollywood's most celebrated movies of recent years. Many stand as critical and commercial hits. Others haven't quite hit the mark. Yet Costner remains one of cinema's most bankable stars, and is highly regarded by his peers for his professionalism and easy-going manner. Decades later, the actor is still very much in demand.

In this gallery, have a look back at some of his best films, and a few that perhaps he shouldn't have made...