Kevin Costner’s 1995 Sci-Fi Epic Becomes an Unexpected Streaming Sensation
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of one of cinema’s most polarizing blockbusters. Released in 1995 with a then-record-breaking production budget of approximately $175 million, Waterworld faced numerous setbacks during its troubled shoot. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Kevin Costner, the ambitious sci-fi epic was infamously dubbed “the most expensive movie ever made” at the time. However, it failed to meet critical and audience expectations upon release, becoming a symbol of Hollywood excess.
Three decades later, though, Waterworld is experiencing a surprising resurgence—this time on streaming platforms. Once criticized for its bloated production and uneven storytelling, the film has found a new audience and appreciation in the digital age.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future where polar ice caps have melted and the Earth is submerged beneath water, the story follows the Mariner (Kevin Costner), a mysterious drifter who has evolved to survive the flooded world with gills. Reluctantly, he becomes protector to Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and a young girl named Enola (Tina Majorino) as they flee from a ruthless band of raiders known as the Smokers. Their journey becomes a race against time, as the Smokers believe Enola holds the secret to discovering the legendary Dryland—the last hope for humanity.
