Linson graduated to blockbusters when he commissioned David Mamet to write a screenplay based on "The Untouchables" TV series (1959-63). The resulting film was released in 1987 to critical acclaim, providing director Brian De Palma his biggest hit to date and netting a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Sean Connery. Kevin Costner became a star and De Niro added the colorful role of Al Capone to his resume. Linson and De Palma joined forces again with mixed results on the controversial Vietnam War drama "Casualties of War" (1989) starring Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. Linson also produced Mamet's screenplay for "We're No Angels" (1990), a disappointing remake starring Penn and De Niro, directed by Neil Jordan.
"Scrooged" (1988), Linson's second project with Bill Murray (whom he had directed as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in "Where the Buffalo Roam" 1980), became the top grossing comedy of its year. He scored again as the executive producer of Warren Beatty's ode to childhood heroes, "Dick Tracy" (1990). More recently, Linson has collaborated with ace commercial filmmaker, John Badham, to concoct "The Point of No Return" (1993), an American remake of Luc Besson's popular "La Femme Nikita" (1990). He also produced the coming-of-age drama "This Boy's Life" (1993), starring Robert De Niro.