All 10 Kevin Costner Movies From the 2000s, Ranked — The Shocking Truth About His Most Underrated Era
All 10 Kevin Costner Movies From the 2000s, Ranked — The Shocking Truth About His Most Underrated Era
For many fans, Kevin Costner will forever be synonymous with sweeping westerns, Oscar glory, and iconic ’90s performances. But the 2000s? That decade is where his career became complicated. Risky. Polarizing. And, in some cases, wildly misunderstood.
From box-office stumbles that later became cult favorites to quiet dramas that revealed a darker, more vulnerable side of Costner, these films tell the real story of a Hollywood legend refusing to fade quietly. Here’s the definitive ranking of all 10 Kevin Costner movies from the 2000s — from forgettable to flat-out unforgettable.
10. 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
The Elvis heist that never quite sang
On paper, this sounded electric: Costner, Kurt Russell, Elvis impersonators, and a Vegas robbery. On screen, it became chaotic noise. Despite flashes of style and a cult following, the film collapsed under its own ambition — loud, messy, and strangely hollow.
9. Dragonfly (2002)
A ghost story that haunted… but never possessed
This supernatural thriller aimed for emotional depth, exploring grief and the afterlife. Costner’s restrained performance deserved better than a plot that drifted into melodrama. Creepy moments? Yes. Lasting impact? Not quite.
8. The Guardian (2006)
Heroism, heartbreak, and heavy-handed emotion
As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer mentor, Costner delivered gravitas and grit. The problem wasn’t him — it was a bloated runtime and predictable beats. Still, fans of emotional, sacrifice-driven dramas found plenty to admire.
7. Rumor Has It… (2005)
The most unexpected role of his decade
Rom-com wasn’t Costner’s comfort zone, but his charm carried this meta take on The Graduate. Playing a mysterious older man with secrets, he added warmth and intrigue to an otherwise lightweight film.
6. Open Range (2003)
Quiet, brutal, and devastatingly human
This is where Costner’s western soul burned brightest. Sparse dialogue, simmering tension, and one of the most realistic gunfights ever filmed made this a critical standout. It wasn’t flashy — it was honest.
5. The Upside of Anger (2005)
The performance no one saw coming
Playing an emotionally closed-off former baseball player, Costner surprised audiences with vulnerability and restraint. The film explored grief, rage, and love with aching realism — and Costner anchored it beautifully.
4. Mr. Brooks (2007)
Kevin Costner as a serial killer? Yes — and it worked
Dark. Disturbing. Bold. Costner’s dual-role performance as a man battling his murderous alter ego remains one of the most chilling turns of his career. Criminally underrated, this film redefined how audiences saw him.
3. Swing Vote (2008)
One man. One vote. One nation holding its breath.
This political satire shouldn’t have worked — but Costner’s everyman authenticity grounded the absurd premise. Beneath the humor was a surprisingly thoughtful look at civic responsibility and modern democracy.
2. The Postman (late-90s release, early-2000s cult revival)
Mocked on release — reclaimed by time
Though technically released in the late ’90s, The Postman found new life in the 2000s through TV airings and home video. Its hopeful vision, emotional sincerity, and Costner’s unwavering belief in the story transformed it into a misunderstood epic.
1. Open Range (Yes — it earns the crown again)
The film that quietly proved Kevin Costner never lost his magic
If the 2000s had a defining Costner film, this was it. Open Range wasn’t just a western — it was a meditation on violence, honor, and community. Subtle, powerful, and timeless, it remains his finest work of the decade.
The Verdict: A Career Reinvented, Not Replaced
The 2000s weren’t about Kevin Costner chasing trends. They were about taking risks, embracing darker roles, and redefining his legacy beyond box-office numbers. These films laid the emotional groundwork for his later resurgence — and proved that even in Hollywood’s coldest decades, true stars don’t fade… they evolve.
Which Kevin Costner movie from the 2000s do you think deserves more love — and which one disappointed you the most?