Entertainment • Film

Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams is a 1989 American sports fantasy drama film written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson and based on W.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Field of Dreams is a 1989 American sports fantasy drama film written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson and based on W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. It stars Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer who builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice. The film is widely known for blending baseball, family, memory, and second chances.

Plot

The film centers on Ray Kinsella, who builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice. The field becomes a place where deceased baseball figures appear, and the story expands into a search for meaning, memory, and connection within Ray’s family.

Production and release

Field of Dreams was directed and written by Phil Alden Robinson and released in 1989. It was produced and distributed in the United States, with the Iowa setting becoming one of the film’s best-known visual elements.

Themes and reception

The film is commonly noted for its themes of second chances, father-child relationships, faith, and the emotional pull of lost dreams. It became a popular and enduring American film and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Adaptation

The film is based on Shoeless Joe, a 1982 novel by Canadian writer W. P. Kinsella. The adaptation retains the novel’s blend of baseball history and magical realism while reworking the story for a broader film audience.

Key facts

The film follows Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who hears the line “If you build it, he will come.”
It features the ghosts of baseball players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox.
The story focuses on family relationships, regret, belief, and reconciliation.
Burt Lancaster’s performance was his final film role before his death in 1994.
The film was nominated for three Academy Awards.

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Canadian context

The film is adapted from Shoeless Joe by Canadian writer W. P. Kinsella, making it directly connected to Canadian literature and a Canadian author’s influence on a major American film.

Frequently asked questions

What is Field of Dreams about?

It is about an Iowa farmer who builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice, leading to encounters with the ghosts of baseball legends and a deeper story about family and regret.

Who directed Field of Dreams?

Phil Alden Robinson wrote and directed the film.

What is Field of Dreams based on?

It is based on Shoeless Joe, a 1982 novel by Canadian author W. P. Kinsella.

Who stars in Field of Dreams?

The film stars Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster.

When was Field of Dreams released?

It was released in the United States on April 21, 1989.

Why is Field of Dreams culturally significant?

It became widely known for its quote “If you build it, he will come” and for its themes of baseball, memory, and father-child relationships.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_Dreams
Supports: Basic film identification, cast, release year, and adaptation from W. P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/
Supports: Release date, cast, and general film details.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/plotsummary/
Supports: Plot summary, including the voice in the cornfield and the baseball field premise.
Variety — https://variety.com/2019/film/news/field-of-dreams-30th-anniversary-kevin-costner-1203192967/
Supports: Adaptation details, cast, themes, box office, and Academy Award nominations.
Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/field_of_dreams
Supports: Director, genre, synopsis, runtime, and release information.