Waterworld

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Waterworld

PG-13

1995

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

137 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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David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

07/28/2025

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

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Craig MacInnis

Toronto Star

07/28/2025

2/4

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

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Rob Lowing

Sydney Morning Herald

07/28/2025

2.5/4

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."

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Matthew Soergel

Florida Times-Union

Apr 6

3/5

An entertaining if occasionally lamebrain adventure.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Dec 17

4/5

The film offers plenty of comic-book heroics and explosive stunts, and Costner gives one of his finest performances as the half man/half fish whose steely character holds this full-blooded epic adventure together.

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Simon Brew

Den of Geek

07/28/2025

3/5

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.

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Drew M

@RT67546573 Jul 1

While not an epic masterpiece, this is a very enjoyable adventure movie in the vein of Mad Max meets Indiana Jones. First time rewatching since I saw it in the theater 30 years ago. Can’t believe it only has a 44% from users. This should be in the high 60’s in my opinion.

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Vitaly M

@RT48736437 Jun 27

This is the best film in the post-apocalyptic world, the actors are great, the acting is great, the scenery is wonderful, the plot is interesting and the immersion in the events is immersive. The film of my youth, I'm 50 and I still watch it. No one has created anything like it yet

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Isidoro C

@RT48857263 Jun 26

Great movie must watch just don't take it to serious

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shane O

@Shanes_DVD_Shack Jun 10

For all its obvious flaws it is still a good watch. It’s mad max on water. Don’t look for any realism or logic just sit back and enjoy the ride. They really went with style over substance and that’s ok sometimes. It’s pretty funny in a world where a hand full of dirt is worth more than gold the bad guys have a limitless amount of ammunition and use jet skis to travel vast amounts of ocean

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David H.

@rivrocks May 11

I've always liked this movie. Good action, good acting, good sets and cinematography.

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Kyle G

@Nightkicker May 10

Not nearly as bad as its reputation. And holy smokes, Jeanne Tripplehorn looks like Katherine Heigl.

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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