Kevin Kline’s Filmography: 7 Of His Most Acclaimed And 7 Of His Most Critiqued Films
A career that jumps effortlessly between sharp comedy, serious drama, and even musical numbers is rare in Hollywood.
Over the years, one versatile performer has earned both glowing praise and tough criticism, sometimes in back-to-back roles.
Using Rotten Tomatoes critic scores as a guide, this list highlights the highest-rated standouts along with the films that drew the most mixed reactions from reviewers.
Disclaimer: Rotten Tomatoes critic scores referenced here reflect publicly available Tomatometer data viewed on January, 2026, and scores can change as additional reviews are counted.
Descriptions of “acclaimed” and “critiqued” titles summarize general critical reception and may not match every viewer’s experience.
14. Acclaimed: A Fish Called Wanda (1988) – 96%
Winning an Oscar isn’t easy, but Kline made it look simple with his wild performance as Otto.
This comedy became an instant classic thanks to sharp writing and perfect timing. Otto is a loud, clumsy criminal who thinks he’s much smarter than he actually is, and watching him stumble through heists is pure joy.
Kline’s fearless physical comedy and memorable insults earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Fans still quote his lines decades later, proving that great humor never gets old.
13. Acclaimed: Dave (1993) – 95%
Imagine finding out you look exactly like the President of the United States. That’s Dave’s life in a nutshell, and Kline plays both the real president and his cheerful double.
When the actual leader falls ill, Dave steps in and brings warmth and honesty to the White House.
Critics loved how the movie balanced political satire with heartfelt moments, and Kline’s charm made every scene feel genuine. It’s the kind of feel-good story that reminds you why people love movies in the first place.
12. Acclaimed: The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022) – 87%
Who knew an animated burger joint could serve up such tasty entertainment?
Behind the counter at Bob’s Burgers, a hardworking dad tries to keep the restaurant afloat while his delightfully odd family stumbles into one wild adventure after another.
Kevin Kline brings life to the character with his warm, expressive voice, adding depth to the everyday chaos. A big-screen story expands the show’s signature humor and heart, complete with catchy songs and a mystery that keeps things moving.
Longtime fans got exactly what they hoped for, while newcomers discovered plenty to enjoy.
Kline’s voice work adds extra flavor to Mr. Fischoeder’s offbeat presence, keeping the movie’s comedy humming.
11. Acclaimed: The Ice Storm (1997) – 86%
Set against the chilly backdrop of the 1970s, this drama explores how families can drift apart even while sharing the same home.
Ben Hood, played by Kevin Kline, is a suburban father whose decisions bring painful consequences during a tense Thanksgiving weekend. Ang Lee captures the era’s awkwardness and emotional confusion with care, while the ensemble cast delivers deeply affecting performances.
Critics praised the film for its unflinching look at marriage, parenting, and the secrets people hide. Heavy themes run throughout, yet Kline adds depth and vulnerability that make every moment feel human and real.
10. Acclaimed: A Prairie Home Companion (2006) – 81%
Radio shows might feel old-fashioned, yet this film proves they still carry a special kind of magic.
Guy Noir, portrayed by Kevin Kline, drifts backstage during the final broadcast of a cherished radio program, observing the chaos with a detective’s calm detachment. Robert Altman fills the story with music, gentle humor, and bittersweet farewells, crafting a heartfelt tribute to live performance.
An ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin brings charm to every quirky role. Dry humor and an easygoing presence make Kline a perfect fit for this warm, nostalgic tale.
9. Acclaimed: The Pirates of Penzance (1983) – 80%
Swashbuckling pirates and catchy tunes make this musical a blast from start to finish.
Kline stars as the Pirate King, leading his crew with booming songs and ridiculous swagger. Based on the classic operetta, the film keeps all the humor and energy of the stage version while adding cinematic flair.
Kline’s comedic timing and strong voice earned him a Tony Award for the Broadway production, and the movie captures that same electric performance. It’s silly, fun, and impossible not to smile through.
8. Acclaimed: Silverado (1985) – 78%
Few genres deliver classic adventure like a good old Western filled with heroes, villains, and dusty showdowns.
Out on the open range, drifter Paden joins forces with three other cowboys to challenge a corrupt sheriff. Classic Western tropes get plenty of love while the action still feels fresh, and the chemistry among the four leads makes every scene crackle.
Critics praised the film’s energy along with Kevin Kline’s understated cool. When danger hits or jokes start flying, Paden feels like the kind of ally you would want beside you in a gunfight.
7. Critiqued: Trade (2007) – 33%
Trade deals with exploitation and abduction, and its handling of heavy subject matter drew mixed critical response.
The film’s grim subject matter clashed with its action-movie pacing, creating a tone that felt exploitative rather than meaningful.
Critics argued that the movie sensationalized suffering instead of shedding real light on the issue. Kline brought gravity to his role, but the flawed script and uneven direction kept the film from making a true impact.
6. Critiqued: The Last Of Robin Hood (2013) – 27%
Fame in Hollywood does not always produce heroes, and this story digs into a darker legacy.
Kevin Kline portrays Errol Flynn during the actor’s final years, centering on an age-gap relationship that many viewers and critics found troubling.
Intended as an exploration of obsession and exploitation, the film left many critics uncomfortable and unconvinced.
Numerous reviewers argued that the narrative drifted toward glamorizing troubling behavior rather than critiquing it. Despite a committed performance from Kline, the story never finds a steady balance between biography and moral inquiry, leaving audiences uneasy.
5. Critiqued: Jiminy Glick In Lalawood (2004) – 23%
Talk show parodies often land big laughs, yet this comedy struggled to connect with most viewers.
Set at a chaotic film festival, the story follows Martin Short’s over-the-top celebrity interviewer, Jiminy Glick, as he stumbles through awkward encounters. A supporting role from Kevin Kline adds star power, but much of the humor leans on industry in-jokes that left many audience members puzzled instead of amused.
Critics pointed out that the gags stretched on longer than they should and lacked the bite needed for sharp satire.
Devoted fans of Short found a few bright spots, but the film as a whole had trouble reaching a broader audience or leaving a lasting impression.
4. Critiqued: Darling Companion (2012) – 21%
Losing a pet can break your heart, but this film’s search for a missing dog left critics unimpressed.
Kline plays Joseph, a surgeon whose marriage faces strain when his wife’s beloved dog disappears during a family vacation. The movie tried to blend comedy and drama but ended up feeling slow and aimless, with too many characters and not enough focus.
Reviews pointed out that the talented ensemble cast deserved better material. Even Kline’s reliable presence couldn’t turn the meandering story into something compelling or memorable.
3. Critiqued: The Pink Panther (2006) – 21%
Rebooting a beloved comedy franchise always comes with risk, and this attempt fell flat for many viewers.
In the role of Chief Inspector Dreyfus, Kevin Kline serves as the frustrated superior to Steve Martin’s accident-prone Inspector Clouseau. Reliance on broad slapstick humor left critics feeling that the wit and charm of the original Pink Panther films had been replaced with loud, predictable gags.
Despite a cast full of recognizable names, the movie never regained the spark that made the earlier entries memorable. Strong efforts from the actors could not overcome a weak script that left the entire production struggling to stay afloat.
2. Critiqued: The Starling (2021) – 19%
Grief is tough to portray on screen, and this drama struggled to find the right tone.
Kline plays Dr. Larry Fine, a therapist helping a woman cope with tragic loss while she battles a stubborn bird in her yard. The film aimed for heartfelt emotion but ended up feeling forced and overly sentimental, according to many critics.
Despite good intentions and a talented cast, the story never quite connected. Kline’s performance was warm, but even he couldn’t lift the heavy-handed script into something truly moving.
1. Critiqued: Wild Wild West (1999) – 16%
Large budgets and wildly ambitious concepts do not always blend smoothly, and this steampunk Western became a prime example.
As inventor Artemus Gordon, Kevin Kline teams up with Will Smith’s character to stop a villain who commands a giant mechanical spider. Reviewers criticized the tangled plot, uneven humor, and oversized effects that felt more goofy than exciting.
Even a dependable performance from Kline could not steady the chaos unfolding on screen.
Over time, the film became a frequently cited example of an ambitious swing that didn’t land for many critics.
