Kevin Costner's 32-Year-Old Western 'Wyatt Earp' Becomes Netflix Hit

The 1994 box office flop is now trending at #8 on Netflix in the US.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 6:31pm

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After flopping at the box office in 1994, the epic Western film 'Wyatt Earp' starring Kevin Costner has found new life on Netflix, ranking 8th on the streaming platform's Top 10 movies in the United States as of February 2, 2026. The film, which follows the life of the legendary lawman, was a commercial disappointment upon its initial release but is now resonating with audiences decades later.

Why it matters

The renewed interest in 'Wyatt Earp' comes at a time when Kevin Costner's other Western projects, like his departure from the hit show 'Yellowstone' in 2024, have left a void in the genre. The film's Netflix success could signal a resurgence of interest in Costner's work and classic Westerns more broadly.

The details

Directed by Lawrence Kasdan and co-written by Kasdan and Dan Gordon, 'Wyatt Earp' was released in theaters in the summer of 1994 but failed to recoup its $63 million budget, grossing only $55.9 million. The film's ensemble cast includes Dennis Quaid as Doc Holliday, Gene Hackman, David Andrews, and many others. While it received mixed reviews from critics, the film has a much stronger 61% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

  • Wyatt Earp was released in theaters in the summer of 1994.
  • As of February 2, 2026, Wyatt Earp is ranked #8 on Netflix's Top 10 movies in the United States.

The players

Kevin Costner

The lead actor who portrayed the titular lawman Wyatt Earp in the 1994 film.

Lawrence Kasdan

The director of Wyatt Earp and co-writer of the screenplay.

Dennis Quaid

An actor who played the role of Doc Holliday in the film.

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The takeaway

The unexpected success of the 32-year-old 'Wyatt Earp' on Netflix demonstrates the enduring appeal of classic Westerns and the ability of streaming platforms to revive forgotten films. This could lead to renewed interest in Kevin Costner's Western filmography and potentially pave the way for more classic genre films to find new audiences on modern streaming services.