Kevin Costner’s Western Epic That Paved the Way for Yellowstone Is Streaming Free This Month

Kevin Costner’s connection to the Western genre has defined some of the most memorable work in his career, and his role as John Dutton on Yellowstone may be the clearest example of that fit. The Paramount hit gave Costner a major late-career boost, even as tensions behind the scenes with creator Taylor Sheridan eventually complicated his future on the series. Yellowstone also helped inspire Costner to pursue his own ambitious Western project, Horizon: An American Saga, which he partially financed himself. That gamble, however, has so far struggled to pay off after the first installment underperformed.

Long before Yellowstone, Costner starred in and directed one of his most underrated Westerns, Open Range, released in 2003. The film explores familiar themes that later echoed through Yellowstone, including land ownership, territorial conflict, personal pride, and the fight to protect a way of life. Set in Montana, the story follows a free-grazing cattle herder and his ranching ally as they clash with a powerful local landowner over who has the right to use the open range. Costner plays a Civil War veteran who joins the free-grazing side, while the film’s central conflict reflects the same stubborn, old-school code that would later define John Dutton.

Open Range also stands out because it is not just a showcase for Costner’s Western instincts, but a collaboration with another respected screen presence, Robert Duvall. The cast also includes Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, and Diego Luna in an early Hollywood role. The film was well received at the time and remains highly regarded today, with a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its reputation has grown as viewers continue to appreciate its classic style, slow-burn tension, and strong performances.

The movie was also a commercial success in its day, earning close to $70 million worldwide against a reported $22 million budget. Now, more than two decades later, Open Range is available to stream for free in the United States on Tubi, giving new audiences a chance to revisit one of Costner’s most enduring Westerns.

Costner’s career has repeatedly returned to stories about resilience, loyalty, and standing one’s ground. Whether in Open Range, Hatfields & McCoys, or Yellowstone, he has often played men shaped by conflict and bound by a strong moral code. That consistency has made him one of the most recognizable figures in modern Western storytelling, and Open Range remains an important part of that legacy.