Dances with Wolves (1990)

Kernel Score: 88% · 4,603 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Western

Released: 1990-03-30

Runtime: 181 minutes

Is Dances with Wolves worth watching?

Must-watch. A long, patient frontier epic about a soldier who finds a home among the Sioux. Beautiful landscapes, sincere performances and a humane view of its characters make three hours pass easily.

Watch it if you

  • love sweeping westerns
  • enjoy slow, landscape-heavy storytelling
  • want a sincere, humane drama

Skip it if you

  • won't sit through three hours
  • want a gritty or cynical western

Best for: Weekend afternoon epic

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Dances with Wolves

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

Dances with Wolves parents' guide: ages 11+

Parents need to know that Dances with Wolves is a PG-13 western drama with frontier violence and themes of cross-cultural friendship.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes wartime violence, a suicide attempt by the protagonist, and frontier conflict.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Dances with Wolves

If you liked Dances with Wolves, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) — 91%: Sweeping, patient classic of the American frontier
  • Open Range (2003) — 82%: Same star-director's later, quieter western
  • The Revenant (2015) — 84%: Brutal survival story in a vast wilderness
  • News of the World (2020) — 78%: Gentle western about an unlikely bond
  • Hostiles (2017) — 75%: Sombre story of old enemies crossing the frontier
  • True Grit (2010) — 81%: Lively modern western

Director

Kevin Costner

Cast

  • Kevin Costner as Lieutenant Dunbar
  • Mary McDonnell as Stands With A Fist
  • Graham Greene as Kicking Bird
  • Rodney A. Grant as Wind In His Hair
  • Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman as Ten Bears
  • Tantoo Cardinal as Black Shawl
  • Robert Pastorelli as Timmons
  • Charles Rocket as Lieutenant Elgin
  • Maury Chaykin as Major Fambrough
  • Jimmy Herman as Stone Calf

Dances with Wolves FAQ

Is Dances with Wolves worth watching?

Must-watch. A long, patient frontier epic about a soldier who finds a home among the Sioux. Beautiful landscapes, sincere performances and a humane view of its characters make three hours pass easily.

Where can I watch Dances with Wolves?

In the US you can stream Dances with Wolves on Prime Video and YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Prime Video (free with ads) and Amazon MX Player and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Dances with Wolves OK for kids?

Dances with Wolves is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Dances with Wolves is a PG-13 western drama with frontier violence and themes of cross-cultural friendship.

What movies are like Dances with Wolves?

If you liked Dances with Wolves, try Once Upon a Time in the West, Open Range, The Revenant and News of the World.