“Kevin Costner’s 1995 Sci-Fi Movie That Was Once the Most Expensive Film Ever Made Becomes a Surprise Streaming Hit”
2025 Marks 30 Years Since Kevin Costner’s Infamous Blockbuster Made Waves – Now It’s a Surprise Streaming Hit
It’s been three decades since Waterworld hit theaters in 1995, and time has been surprisingly kind to one of Hollywood’s most talked-about—and expensive—sci-fi adventures. With a massive production budget estimated at $175 million, the film was the most costly movie ever made at the time. But rather than being celebrated for its ambition, Waterworld faced intense criticism upon release, plagued by on-set troubles and a lukewarm reception from both critics and audiences.
Now, 30 years later, Waterworld is enjoying a second life thanks to streaming. The post-apocalyptic epic is currently one of the top 10 most-streamed films on Tubi in the U.S., reaffirming its status as a cult favorite. Once dismissed as a cautionary tale of bloated budgets and unmet expectations, the film is increasingly being re-evaluated as a misunderstood genre piece that was simply ahead of its time.
Back in the ’90s, the movie failed to connect with the mainstream audience, perhaps because its bold, water-logged vision didn’t quite fit the cinematic mold of the era. This disconnect is reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes scores—just 59% from critics and an even lower 44% from viewers. The critical consensus reads:
“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.”
For those unfamiliar, here’s the setup:
In a future where the polar ice caps have melted and Earth is almost entirely underwater, a lone drifter known as the Mariner (Kevin Costner), who has developed gills to survive, reluctantly teams up with Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and her young companion Enola (Tina Majorino). They’re on the run from a ruthless gang called the Smokers, who believe Enola holds the key to locating the fabled Dryland.
Currently, Waterworld sits at #5 on Tubi’s streaming chart. Rounding out the rest of the top 10:
- At #10 is the classic action-comedy Lethal Weapon
- Volcano, the 1997 disaster film starring Tommy Lee Jones, takes the #9 spot
- Steel Magnolias, the heartfelt ensemble drama led by Julia Roberts, is at #8
- Lethal Weapon 3 comes in at #7, outperforming the original
- The animated fan-favorite Robots claims #6
- Waterworld stands at #5
- The 2014 musical remake Annie lands at #4
- David Ayer’s gritty thriller The Tax Collector holds #3
- Jason Statham’s aquatic sequel Meg 2: The Trench swims in at #2
- And at the top of the list, 2017’s comedy hit Girls Trip reigns supreme at #1
With a renewed spotlight on the film, Waterworld seems to be finally earning the appreciation it missed out on in 1995. Whether viewed as a flawed spectacle or a misunderstood sci-fi gem, it’s clearly riding a new wave of popularity.
