Legendary film critic Roger Ebert gave the Kevin Costner movieField of Dreamsa perfect 4-star review. Considered one ofCostner’s best sports movies,Field of Dreamswas nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay. WhileCostner is celebrated for his Western movies, he has also made an indelible impact on sports movies, particularly ones that center around baseball, likeBull Durham,For Love of the Game, andField of Dreams.
Field of Dreamswas a box office success back in 1989, earning roughly $85 million against a production budget of $15 million. Phil Alden Robinson directedField of Dreamsand adapted the screenplay based on the book “Shoeless Joe” written by W.P. Kinsella. The moving sports film stars Costner asRay Kinsella, a humble farmer from Iowa who is inspired by a voice that tells him “If you build it, he will come,“which leads him to develop a baseball field on his farmland despite facing pressure to sell his property. The film also stars James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan, and Gaby Hoffmann.
Scrapped Field Of Dreams TV Show’s Unbelievable Cast Revealed By Creator
The scrapped Field of Dreams show had an impressive cast, as revealed by creator Mike Schur, detailing the canceled adaptation of the Costner film.
Why You Should Watch Field Of Dreams On Netflix In September
This Movie Is a Must-Watch Classic Beyond Just Sports
Field of Dreamsis certainly not amongCostner’s most overlooked moviesand is a must-watch for fans of classic Costner pictures and inspirational sports movies. Even though the movie centers around America’s greatest pastime, it is profound and entertaining enough that even non-sports fans can find it enjoyable to watch. Some viewers may even find it touching due to its sentimental premise about a connection between a father and his son and fantasy elements that enter the realm of the supernatural. The film also blends the typically fact-heavy world ofsports with a dreamlike wonder that touches on bigger concepts such as spirituality and eternal love.
Field of Dreamsis available to stream on Netflix from July 27, 2025.
Roger Ebert had high praise forField of Dreamsupon its 1989 release. “It’s a religious picture, all right, but the religion is baseball. And when he doesn’t understand the spoken message, Ray is granted a vision of a baseball diamond, right there in his cornfield. As “Field of Dreams” developed this fantasy, I found myself being willingly drawn into it. This is the kind of movie Frank Capra might have directed, and James Stewart might have starred in — a movie about dreams.Costner and Madigan create such a grounded, believable married couple that one of the themes of the movie is the way love means sharing your loved one’s dreams.”
What ScreenRant has said aboutField of Dreams:
Field of Dreamsholds a place with movies likeIt’s a Wonderful Lifethat boasts extremely inspirational messages. At the movie’s end, one feels better about humanity, moving forward with doubts due to its powerful reconciliations.Field of Dreamsis so much more than just a sports movie.
How Field Of Dreams Compares To Kevin Costner’s Other Hit Movies
This Classic Has it’s Own Legacy Within MLB and Sports Movies
Field of Dreamsis usually considered one of Costner’s most memorable if not best movies. While some critics and viewers may not be able to suspend their disbelief enough to go along for the spiritual ride, the film does offer a powerful and touching message for those who are willing to stick with it.Field of Dreamshas certainly had a major impact in the world of sports movies and has evenmade a permanent impression on the MLB, a feat which very few baseball movies, if any, can also claim. While the film may be most approached by sports fans and fathers who cherish their backyard catches with their kids, there’s plenty to love aboutField of Dreams.
While the film may be most approached by sports fans and fathers who cherish their backyard catches with their kids, there’s plenty to love aboutField of Dreams.
Field of Dreamsearned a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 88% and an audience score of 86%, making it one of Costner’s most universally loved movies. It came out one year beforeDances with Wolves, which won 7 Oscars and is considered by most to be Costner’s magnum opus. Although one of his other celebrated baseball moviesBull Durhamearned a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 97%, its audience score is lower than that ofField of Dreamsat 82%. For the sake of comparison, Costner’s other notable dramas,JFKandThe Untouchables, earned RT critic scores of 84% and 83%, respectively.
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Field Of Dreams Is Still One Of The Best Sports Movies Of All Time
Its Message Resonates Beyond Baseball
Field of Dreamsis still considered one of the greatest sports movies ever made, not because of its realism or statistical accuracy, but becauseit represents the capacity for heart and transcendental love within any sport, not just baseball.
Looking deeper into the message behind Field of Dreams, one that extends much further than sports, camaraderie, and rulebooks alone
For non-sports fans, a movie about a guy risking everything to build a baseball field where the ghosts of famous MLB players will return from the dead might sound bizarre and ridiculous. Looking deeper into the message behindField of Dreams, one that extends much further than sports, camaraderie, and rulebooks alone,is truly how viewers of all interests can enjoy the Costner classic.
MLB players have played on a real-life “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa every year since 2021.
Field of Dreams
Cast
Based on a novel by W. P. Kinsella, Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, a farmer living in Iowa who one evening begins hearing a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. An avid baseball fan, Ray takes on the project in hopes of honoring his late father. Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster also star.
