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

Jul 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

Jul 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

Jul 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, 2026

3/5

An entertaining if occasionally lamebrain adventure.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Dec 17, 2025

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

Jul 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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Jacob W

@RT17896586 Oct 24, 2026

Despite at the time it’s endless criticism with expensive sets. Sinking sets and way over budget this ambitious film described as Mad Max on water is actually not that bad. Perhaps because it was also ahead of its time with the story. Where the pola ice caps had melted and people are desperate for dry land. Whatever your opinion mind is that it’s an enjoyable movie with great performances notably Dennis Hoffman who was great.

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Richard L

@KaneLives Oct 13, 2026

A beautifully realized and wonderfully detailed world, brought to life effortlessly through Costner's stoic and confident performance. Admittedly, the story itself and the arcs of the characters within are nothing new and rather simple, but their unpredictable interactions as well as the meticulously choreographed setpieces strewn throughout make sure it never feels its length. And most of all, as other reviewers have noted: it shows its budget. In every single scene with non-cgi water, with beautifully crafted trinkets, and ozon-burning explosions, it shows what craftsmanship once was possible on what is now the average film's marketing budget.

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Steve Y

@Cubby65 Oct 7, 2026

I almost feel bad for the lemmings who stayed away from this movie in droves after its critical drubbing, for losing the chance to see it on a big screen. Its only glaring flaw to my eyes is the cartoonish villian by Dennis Hopper

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 17, 2026

Waterworld is *not* a good movie! p.s. it's scientifically wrong in many ways!

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Chris C

@chrisc5 Aug 21, 2026

This is Mad Max on water. It has its moments of charm even if it's filled with illogical and false bits that are painful to get over. Dennis Hopper is a pleasure to watch. It's the complete opposite of the main character who was during filming at the peak of his megalomanic period - truly painful.

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Kenny E

@RT37803380 Aug 14, 2026

So underrated, movies do not get made like this no more, Costner is moody but perfect as the mariner, a must watch!!!

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Kevin Reynolds

Director

Kevin Costner

Mariner

Dennis Hopper

Deacon

Jeanne Tripplehorn

Helen

Tina Majorino

Enola

Michael Jeter

Old Gregor

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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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