From 1987 to 1994, Costner had a miracle run of hits that included The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, JFK and The Bodyguard. While he may not have the same quantity as the likes of John Wayne, Costner has also become a latter-day Western icon.

From Dances with Wolves to his Horizon movie saga or even his neo-Western series Yellowstone, anytime Costner’s returns to the genre becomes an event. He also makes the kind of old-fashioned epics that harken back to Hollywood’s Golden Age, though he injects a layer of reality and grit those more traditional “Oaters” lacked.

Wyatt Earp (1994) – Holding Off The Posse

History knows how the Tombstone vs Wyatt Earp box office battle worked out, with the latter being a critical and commercial dud. In truth, Wyatt Earp is Costner’s worst Western, but that’s not to say it’s without its merits. It offers an unvarnished look at the lawman’s life, while also providing him with some mythic moments.

One of the best comes from Wyatt Earp’s ending, where the nephew of a man Wyatt saved from a lynch mob recounts the story to an elderly Earp. As the mob converged on Earp at his jail, Wyatt pulled his revolvers and challenged the crowd to come through him to take his prisoner; upon reflection, they soon backed down.

Open Range was an unexpected hit in 2003 and is arguably the most streamlined of Costner’s Western outings. This involves two “freegrazers” played by Robert Duvall and Costner who come into conflict with a ruthless cattle baron, which inevitably leads to a big shootout. In a key scene, Costner’s Charley recounts his bloody past to Duvall’s Boss Spearman.

Charley reveals he scored his first kill as a boy against a man threatening his mother, and then he joined the army. His talent for killing was quickly recognized and he became part of a “special squad.” Charley speaks of his actions during the Civil War as if he were some kind of demon, and his past clearly haunts him.

Dances With Wolves (1990) – Dunbar’s Death Charge

Dances with Wolves was Costner’s directorial debut, which was a commercial hit that also hoovered up Academy Awards. The introduction opens with a gory battle, where Costner’s disillusioned Union soldier Dunbar tries to get himself killed charging Confederate lines.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) – Hayes Vs Caleb

Horizon: An American Saga is Costner’s biggest passion project, with the star/director having developed the series since the 1980s. Chapter 1 wasn’t the success Costner had hoped for, but he’s still intent on completing his four film vision. He gives his character Hayes some great moments too, including an early showdown with the outlaw Caleb (Jamie Campbell Bower).

The two men share a rather uncomfortable conversation as Hayes walks to a planned liaison with Marigold (Abbey Lee). Unfortunately for Hayes, he’s unaware Caleb and his family are hunting Marigold. Caleb’s attempts to intimidate Hayes don’t work, however, leading to a tense duel that only one of them walks away from.

Let Him Go (2020) – George Loses His Fingers

After they threaten Margaret, George pulls a gun, which they wrestle out of his hand. The demonic Matriach Blanche (Lesley Manville) then demands her sons chop the fingers off George’s gun hand, which gets carried out with blunt efficiency. It’s not overly gory, but this sequence kicks Let Him Go into even darker territory.

Wyatt Earp (1994) – Walking Through Bullets

Tombstone did just about everything better than Wyatt Earp, from casting all the way to recreating famous historial moments. One thing Wyatt Earp does better than Tombstone is the death of Cowboys leader Curly Bill, where the real-life story goes that Earp walked unscathed through a hail of gunfire to gun the outlaw down.

Director Lawrence Kasdan uses slow motion to great effect in this sequence, where Earp enters a zen-like state during the battle. Bullets whizz past Wyatt and a few even go through his coat as he makes his way to Bill, who has time to register disbelief as Earp raises his shotgun and ends their feud for good.

The ending of Dances with Wolves sees Dunbar leave the tribe that has adopted him into their culture, as having an army deserter among them with white settlers approaching puts them in danger. Now renamed Dances with Wolves, the final scene sees him leave with his wife, Stands with a Fist (Mary McDonnell).

They receive some farewell gifts, with the most tearjerking coming from Wind in his Hair (Rodney A Grant). Initially resentful of Dunbar’s presence, the pair formed a friendship over time. As his pal departs, Wind with His Hair stands atop a mountain and proclaims, “I am Wind in His Hair. Do you see that I am your friend?”

Open Range (2003) – The Final Shootout

Open Range might be a slow burn, but it’s worth it for the finale gunfight. The studio knew this too, which is why the trailers and TV spots highlighted this showdown. Costner’s staging of the scene is superb, where bullets hit bodies like cannons, but there’s also a clumsy reality to it.

Dances With Wolves (1990) – The Buffalo Hunt

Easily the most thrilling setpiece Costner ever helmed, this Dances with Wolves sequence sees Dunbar join the Lakota to hunt a migrating buffalo herd. Watching this scene it’s hard to imagine the sheer logistics involved, as the actors are seen racing alongside the stampeding buffalo at full speed.

It isn’t much fun watching the animals get shot down, but not only is the staging of the buffalo hunt exhilarating, it’s a key part of Dunbar being accepted into the tribe. Kevin Costner gives himself a literal hero shot at the climax, where he has to carefully snipe a buffalo before it stampedes into a young boy.