30 Years Later: How Waterworld Reflects Our History’s Cycles
Kevin Costner’s Waterworld remains one of the most infamous movies of his career, and it shares surprising parallels with one of his more recent projects. In the mid-1990s, Costner was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, having earned critical acclaim with Dances with Wolves and commercial success with beloved films like Field of Dreams and Bull Durham.
Waterworld grossed $264.2 million worldwide on a $175 million budget, yet it developed a reputation as a major financial disappointment. Now, as the film marks its 30th anniversary, another Costner project faces similar scrutiny.
How Kevin Costner’s Horizon Echoes Waterworld Nearly 30 Years Later
The label of Waterworld as a flop undoubtedly impacted Costner’s star power at the time, but it didn’t dampen his ambition. Decades later, Costner embarked on another bold venture with Horizon: An American Saga, an epic Western planned as a multi-film franchise.
Horizon: Part 1 opened to disappointing box office returns, leading to the cancellation of the sequels’ theatrical release plans. Costner’s return to the Western genre initially sparked excitement among fans, but just like with Waterworld, the project faced skepticism early on — this time about whether Costner was overreaching by filming and releasing multiple installments in quick succession.
A Much Bigger Personal Gamble for Costner
While both Waterworld and Horizon were seen as setbacks, Horizon represented a far greater personal risk for Costner. Unlike Waterworld, where the studio carried most of the financial burden, Costner invested approximately $38 million of his own money into Horizon, even taking out a loan against his home.
With Horizon’s box office gross barely exceeding his personal investment, the likelihood of financial loss is high. However, Costner’s commitment to his passion project has earned admiration from many movie fans, who respect his dedication despite the risks.
Revisiting Waterworld: Not the Disaster It’s Made Out to Be
Despite its reputation, Waterworld wasn’t the outright failure many believe. Though it didn’t recoup its budget theatrically, it eventually turned a profit through home video sales and other revenue streams. Unfortunately, Horizon faces a harsher reality, with ongoing financial struggles and an uncertain future for its sequels.
Critically, Horizon received mixed reviews, holding a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, it’s Costner’s personal stake in the film that sets it apart from Waterworld. The earlier blockbuster was criticized for its costly budget and unusual premise well before release, while Horizon’s financial woes stem largely from Costner’s own deep investment.
Even among those who weren’t fans of the film, there’s a sense of goodwill and hope that Costner might one day complete his ambitious saga — though that now seems increasingly unlikely.
