Waterworld

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Waterworld

PG-13

Released Jul 28, 1995

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

45%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

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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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

That Costner's antihero should be so fundamentally dislikable is entirely acceptable - after all, the Mariner's arc makes him an eternal outsider... - but that he should also be deadly dull is less so

Jan 21, 2019

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Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Costner... is totally humorless and as dreary as the landscape he travels. And the uninspired and often inane dialogue in Peter Rader and David Twohy's script doesn't help.

Jun 12, 2018

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Waterworld is a pretty damn good summer movie. There, I've said it...it's a breezy, clever entertainment with stirring effects.

Feb 16, 2018

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It’s always a tough sell when the introductory moments are more thrilling and large-scale than the climax.

Rated: 5/10

Feb 6, 2025

Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Dennis Hopper is hilariously evil, upstages Kevin Costner in every scene, and is a much-needed breath of fresh sea air.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 29, 2024

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D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

This one is a hydro-punk war of all against all...

Nov 8, 2023

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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

Shaun R

A silly wet mess. Overlong and stupid.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Audience Member

10/10 really well done film I have seen the show before at Universal Studios Hollywood before and I loved it now can the chance to see the movie is really great Dennis Hooper did an amazing job playing The Deacon

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/25

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Yulia Z

the most unfairly underrated movie. good deep meaning If you remember that this is 1995 and don't compare it to "Mad Max" from 1986, then it's a very, very good film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Audience Member

THIS IS WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST ROTTEN TOMATOES!!! I’m totally baffled why this movie gets such a bad rap! I was totally enthralled with the story, the acting and the set design. Dennis Hopper gives a fantastic performance as usual, and the rest of the cast is solid. This just goes to show that you can’t always trust what the majority says.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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Jason H

Not great, but not bad. Mostly forgettable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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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