Waterworld

Play trailer

Waterworld

PG-13

1995

2h 16m

Sci-Fi

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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."

Go to Full Review

Matthew Soergel

Florida Times-Union

Apr 6

3/5

An entertaining if occasionally lamebrain adventure.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Daddy M

@daddymooch 1d

Classic movie now. Still good

See more

Paul S

@PManRager 1d

Pirates of the Caribbean, Aquaman, and Mad Max collide in this lackluster yet entertaining feature. There were so many parts of the story that were either uninteresting or poorly executed, and there were a lot of parts that felt way too weird and out of place. Despite its flaws, it was still really fun to watch and had a very intriguing concept with amazing visuals for a film of its time. I definitely could see action, sci-fi, and adventure fans enjoying this, but there are far better post-apocalyptic movies out there compared to this one.

See more

Steven B

@RT87522530 3d

Amazing post apocalypse film unique and full of the best over the top bad guys, totally underrated film must see!

See more

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.

See more

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

See more

Isidoro C

@RT48857263 Jun 26

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

View more videos

I, Robot

57%

70%

I, Robot

Watchlist

TRAILER

for I, Robot

Godzilla

20%

28%

Godzilla

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Godzilla

Aeon Flux

9%

39%

Aeon Flux

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Aeon Flux

Ultraviolet

9%

30%

Ultraviolet

Watchlist

Next

28%

53%

Next

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Next

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New 4K UHD Movies in June 2023: Upcoming 4K Releases on Blu-ray

Neil Marshall’s 10 Post-Apocalyptic Picks

Box Office Wrapup: Open Season Shoots Up #1 Opening

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings