On November 4, 1990, Dances with Wolves, a film about an
American Civil War–era soldier and a group of Sioux Native
Americans that stars Kevin Costner and also marks his
directorial debut, premieres in Los Angeles.
The film, which opened across the United States on November
21, 1990, was a surprise box-office success and earned 12
Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Costner.
Dances with Wolves took home seven Oscars, including Best
Picture and Best Director, and solidified Costner’s place on
Hollywood’s A-list.