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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard is a 1992 American romantic thriller film directed by Mick Jackson and written by Lawrence Kasdan.

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

The Bodyguard is a 1992 American romantic thriller film directed by Mick Jackson and written by Lawrence Kasdan. It stars Kevin Costner as a former Secret Service agent hired to protect a singer played by Whitney Houston, in her film debut. The film became a major box-office success and was especially notable for its soundtrack, including “I Will Always Love You.”

Plot

The film centers on Frank Farmer, a professional bodyguard, and Rachel Marron, a pop star receiving threatening messages from a stalker. Their professional relationship develops into a romantic one while the threat escalates.

Cast and production

Kevin Costner stars as Frank Farmer and Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron. The film was directed by Mick Jackson from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan.

Reception and box office

The Bodyguard was a commercial hit and became one of the most successful films of 1992. Sources cite worldwide grosses of about $411 million.

Soundtrack and legacy

The soundtrack became a major cultural phenomenon, largely because of Whitney Houston’s recording of “I Will Always Love You.” The song topped charts and the soundtrack won major Grammy Awards.

Key facts

  • Whitney Houston made her motion-picture debut in the film.
  • The story follows a former Secret Service agent hired to protect a famous singer from a stalker.
  • The film was directed by Mick Jackson and written by Lawrence Kasdan.
  • Its soundtrack and Houston’s performance of “I Will Always Love You” were central to its popularity.
  • The Bodyguard was released in the United States on November 25, 1992.
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Canadian context

The Bodyguard was widely released and popular in Canada as part of its international box-office run, and its soundtrack became a major part of 1990s popular culture for Canadian audiences as well.

Frequently asked questions

Who stars in The Bodyguard?
Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston play the lead roles as Frank Farmer and Rachel Marron.
What is The Bodyguard about?
It follows a former Secret Service agent hired to protect a famous singer from a stalker, with a romance developing between them.
Who directed The Bodyguard?
The film was directed by Mick Jackson.
Is The Bodyguard Whitney Houston’s film debut?
Yes. It was Whitney Houston’s motion-picture debut.
Was The Bodyguard successful at the box office?
Yes. It was a major commercial success, with sources citing worldwide box office around $411 million.
Why is the film especially remembered?
It is especially remembered for Whitney Houston’s performance and the soundtrack, including “I Will Always Love You.”

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Bodyguard
    Supports: Whitney Houston’s film debut; song “I Will Always Love You”; soundtrack Grammy wins.
  2. Roger Ebert — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bodyguard-1992
    Supports: Film’s premise as a relationship between a pop star and her bodyguard.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103855/
    Supports: Release date; plot summary; title and lead cast.
  4. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501014/12-facts-about-%E2%80%98-bodyguard%E2%80%99-will-always-love-you
    Supports: Worldwide box office figure of about $411 million.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_bodyguard_1992
    Supports: Synopsis; release date; genre; cast; basic plot.
  6. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-bodyguard
    Supports: Director, cast, and plot description.