While Kevin Costner’s career has had multiple highs, there have also been lows. Prominent examples include notorious bombs like Waterworld and The Postman, but even more recent projects have fluctuated between box office and critical acclaim and mediocrity. Examples like Horizon prove how fickle fortunes can be in the filmmaking business. However, while almost every actor has their share of failures, something about Costner’s disappointments stands out. As demonstrated by the actor’s worst-reviewed film of all time, the 2002 thriller Dragonfly, even when his movies underwhelm, they often prove surprisingly popular with viewers.

Almost All Kevin Costner’s Worst-Reviewed Movies Are Way More Popular With Audiences

The Difference Is Stark

Although it’s not unusual for poorly-reviewed films to be more favorably received by audiences, Costner’s career takes this to absolute extremes – typified by Dragonfly. The paranormal thriller, in which Costner plays a bereaved doctor, holds just 7% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie’s audience score on the same site is a comparatively stellar 62% – a discrepancy of 55% between the two. Closer inspection reveals that this is far from an anomaly.

Why Kevin Costner Films Score Better With Movie-Goers

He Makes A Particular Kind Of Movie

While many “Rotten” Kevin Costner movies might seem disconnected from one another, it is possible to identify a trend that unites them. It’s telling, for example, that some of his critically underwhelming projects have become his most influential in wider pop culture. Examples include Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and The Bodyguard – two movies that were contemporary box office triumphs and have achieved subsequent cult status. A key reason for this could be the two films’ deliberately emotive and highly traditional, broadly appealing storytelling style – an approach that may not be revolutionary, but has proved consistently popular with audiences.

Not Every Kevin Costner Flop Is Loved By Audiences

There Have Been Exceptions To The Rule

As the difference between his critical and audience scores shows, Costner’s aptitude for conventionally appealing storytelling has been a significant factor in building his reputation with the public. However, even with this strength, he is not immune from audience criticism. Movies like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The New Daughter, and Waterworld are all examples of “Rotten” Costner movies that performed worse with audiences than critics. This proves definitively that his films aren’t guaranteed to be well-received by the public.