Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Long, violent retelling of Old West legend; some drug use.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wyatt Earp
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WYATT EARP -- played by Kevin Costner -- tells the story of the legendary gunslinger and lawmaker, from boyhood through to the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. Throughout his life, Earp encounters family tragedy and bloody vendettas.
Is It Any Good?
This 1994 biopic delivers a throwback to the epic Westerns of the 1950s, but Wyatt Earp never changes pace or rouses emotion, which only adds to its labored three hour runtime. Only Dennis Quaid's Doc Holliday lifts Wyatt Earp's listless tone. The difference is huge when he's around, producing a fantastic stand-out performance in just a few short scenes. Costner contributes heavily to the static tone of the movie. After he's struck by tragedy early on, Earp's dour shuffle through life hardly feels befitting of national legend or even his own movie.
The production design is great though and each town and settlement feels alive, packed with characters more interesting and compelling than sad-sack Earp. Indeed the cinematography received an Academy Award nomination with the vast scenery capturing the Technicolor feel of classic Western epics. This isn't a bad movie, it just fails to sell how the tale of Wyatt Earp captivated an entire country for more than 100 years. In this version, everyone around him is much more interesting. So to be swept up by the legend, maybe look elsewhere, perhaps starting with the hour-shorter and the more dynamic Tombstone, released a year earlier.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Wyatt Earp. Do the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Is it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Would you describe Wyatt Earp as a positive role model? What character strengths, if any, does he show? Why are these important traits to have?
Discuss the drinking and drug use in the movie. Is it glamorized? What are the consequences? Why is that important?
How does the movie portray sex. Is it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How does this movie compare to other Western movies you might have seen? What do you think is the appeal of movies about the Old West?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 24, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : May 2, 2006
- Cast : Kevin Costner , Dennis Quaid , Gene Hackman
- Director : Lawrence Kasdan
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Western
- Topics : History ( Biopic , War: American Civil War ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 191 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong gunfights, some language and sensuality
- Last updated : September 7, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate