Waterworld

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Waterworld

PG-13

Released Jul 28, 1995

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

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135 Reviews

44%

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100,000+ Ratings

After the melting of the polar ice caps, most of the globe is underwater. Some humans have survived, and even fewer still, notably the Mariner (Kevin Costner), have adapted to the ocean by developing gills. A loner by nature, the Mariner reluctantly befriends Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and her young companion, Enola (Tina Majorino), as they escape from a hostile artificial island. Soon the sinister Smokers are pursuing them in the belief that Enola holds the key to finding the mythical Dryland.

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Critics Consensus

Though it suffered from toxic buzz at the time of its release, Waterworld is ultimately an ambitious misfire: an extravagant sci-fi flick with some decent moments and a lot of silly ones.

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David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

The many visual effects are more than adequate to distract one from the film’s numerous plot holes, incongruities and unrealized possibilities.

Jul 28, 2025

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Craig MacInnis

Toronto Star

Far from being the magnificent bomb many had predicted, Waterworld is worse. It's mediocre, and that just won't do.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 28, 2025

Full Review

Rob Lowing

Sydney Morning Herald

You can't dismiss the film's ambitions, Sci-fi movie fans especially will be impressed by its grungy recreation of life where, as inhabitants constantly note, "nothing is free in Waterworld."

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 28, 2025

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Simon Brew

Den of Geek

I like Waterworld. Always did, and continue to do so. It’s no classic, it’s horribly derivative of the Mad Max saga at times, but I always warmed to the sheer scale of it.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 28, 2025

Full Review

Chris Ward

Flickering Myth

It really isn’t as terrible as its reputation makes it out to be if you approach it with the mindset of it not being the ultra-serious drama piece that Kevin Costner seems to think he is in and take it for the silly nonsense that it actually is.

Jul 28, 2025

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CSM Staff

Christian Science Monitor

Rambunctious, exhausting, entertaining.

Jul 28, 2025

Full Review

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Romas M

Greetings from Lithuania. I always liked "Waterworld" (1995), despite of its cult classic status of one of the most unsuccessful movies ever. You have to give a credit to those who envisioned and created this movie simply for the concept - how many movies have ever been made completely in the sea (which you can literally feel in every scene) and with this budget, which was the biggest at the time? How many movies have sets THIS good? Sure, "Waterworld" has some flaws (who doesn't?), and the biggest of them for me was always the main villain. As good as Dennis Hopper is, he was misused in this movie, and he doesn't even hint at being sinister - he is just way, WAY over the top in every scene, and most of his lines felt flat. And that's the only weak point in this amazingly looking action flick. Overall, "Waterworld" is a superb action, adventure sci-fi flick set in absolutely unique place (even to this day). It has amazing production values, great action scenes, super cool Kevin Costner and a great MacGuffin (a way of setting a story). Still, a great flick. But i’m referring here to the so called “Ulysses Cut”. It is nearly 3 hours long - a 40 min longer than a way poorer theatrical cut. It adds depth to characters, their motivations, setting and world building. Theatrical cut on the other hand is not a good movie. The Ulysses Cut is the ultimate version of “Waterworld”.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Kashgar A

I’m a fan. Sure it’s dated and it has shortcomings. But it was fun to watch then and it’s fun to watch now. Modern filmmakers might take a leaf out of Waterworld's book and remember that what an audience wants is entertainment

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

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Joseph L

If only Costner was near as good as he thinks he is.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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Alexander P

that's my favorite move!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

james o

the film is a Star Wars, The Barbarians, Berserk, The Dollars Series, The Punisher, Dirty Harry, Mad Max, 1990: The Bronx Warriors, The Postman, The Terminator, The New Barbarians, 2020 Texas Gladiators, A Boy and His Dog, Endgame, Judge Dredd, Battletruck and Fallout rip-off.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

George M

Costner made two terrible science fiction movies. Both are overlong and boring nearly beyond belief. The first, the Postman - I advise the reader to READ THE BOOK. Brin's best. This waste of celluloid is nearly as unwatchable and also overlong.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

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Kevin Reynolds

Director

Kevin Costner

Mariner

Dennis Hopper

Deacon

Jeanne Tripplehorn

Helen

Tina Majorino

Enola

Michael Jeter

Old Gregor

Waterworld: Official Clip - Death From Above

3:00

Waterworld: Official Clip - New Eye

0:58

Waterworld: Official Clip - Atoll Escape

3:00

Waterworld: Official Clip - Attack on the Atoll

2:58

Waterworld: Official Clip - The Mariner Is Freed

2:59

Waterworld: Official Clip - The Bargain

2:32

Waterworld: Official Clip - Sentenced to Be Recycled

2:20

Waterworld: Official Clip - Revenge at Sea

2:54

Waterworld: Official Clip - Catch of the Day

1:42

Waterworld: Official Clip - He's a Mutant!

2:05

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Synopsis

After the melting of the polar ice caps, most of the globe is underwater. Some humans have survived, and even fewer still, notably the Mariner (Kevin Costner), have adapted to the ocean by developing gills. A loner by nature, the Mariner reluctantly befriends Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and her young companion, Enola (Tina Majorino), as they escape from a hostile artificial island. Soon the sinister Smokers are pursuing them in the belief that Enola holds the key to finding the mythical Dryland.

Director: Kevin Reynolds
Producer: Charles Gordon, John Davis, Kevin Costner
Screenwriter: Jonathan Levine, Peter Rader, David Twohy
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Gordon Company, Davis Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 1995, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $88.2M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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