At this point in the rankings, Kathy Bates versus Kevin Costner is best read as a compact career snapshot rather than an all-time verdict. The biggest-hit category sharpens the box office contrast, especially because Kathy Bates's leading film creates the stronger single-release benchmark.

Domestic theatrical output favors Kathy Bates, whose advantage across domestic theatrical releases gives the comparison more long-range context. Based on the available ranking data, the balance stays evenly split without turning the result into a subjective judgment of acting quality.