Overview
A soldier finds unexpected friendship and purpose on the American frontier.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sweeping
- contemplative
- romantic
- historical film night
- epic movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a stirring, visually magnificent western whose epic grandeur and noble cultural intentions outweigh its simplistic and sometimes inauthentic representation of Lakota culture.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes sweeping western landscapes, extended travel, and the transformation of an isolated military outpost into an expansive historical world.
Lieutenant Dunbar moves from solitary Union officer to a respected participant in Lakota life, learning the community's language, relationships, and values.
Dunbar serves as the primary audience viewpoint for Lakota society, a structure praised for cultural sympathy but criticized for limiting indigenous agency.
The story contrasts Dunbar's growing respect for the Lakota with the destructive pressures of white military expansion.
Films like Dances with Wolves, and why
The Last of the Mohicans
shared epic western scale, frontier setting, cultural encounter, and reflective drama
The New World
shared revisionist western perspective, indigenous cultural conflict, and sweeping historical adventure
The Searchers
shared western grandeur, outsider protagonists, and themes of cultural displacement and violence
Lawrence of Arabia
shared historical epic form, cross-cultural relationship, and morally complicated frontier conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Costner
- Release Date
- 1990-11-09
- Runtime
- 181 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (4839)
Cast
- Kevin Costner
- Mary McDonnell
- Graham Greene
- Rodney A. Grant
- Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Robert Pastorelli
- Charles Rocket
- Maury Chaykin
- Jimmy Herman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, BBC America
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dances with Wolves about?
- An isolated Union lieutenant finds belonging among the Lakota while the violence of westward expansion closes in around his adopted community.
- What is Dances with Wolves like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dances with Wolves as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dances with Wolves violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Dances with Wolves as moderate.
- What did critics think of Dances with Wolves?
- Critics broadly regard it as a stirring, visually magnificent western whose epic grandeur and noble cultural intentions outweigh its simplistic and sometimes inauthentic representation of Lakota culture.
- Which films are like Dances with Wolves?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last of the Mohicans, The New World, The Searchers, and Lawrence of Arabia.
- How long is Dances with Wolves?
- Dances with Wolves runs 181 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dances with Wolves?
- In United States, Dances with Wolves streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, BBC America.
