Sometimes, in the world of cinema, a passion project can quickly have the creatives involved drowning in a sea of behind-the-scenes drama and budgetary woes. Sometimes, the reach for a big, epic blockbuster can exceed their grasp, leading to one thing that can sink a Hollywood movie: infamy. However, while infamy may strike upon release, cult classic status can soon follow. As is the case with this particular sci-fi action flick that’s now making a splash on free streaming.
Released 30 years ago and directed (mostly) by Kevin Reynolds, the post-apocalyptic action movie Waterworld has found an audience after all these years, with viewers eager to dive into this remix of Mad Max. Led by Oscar-winner Kevin Costner, who also co-wrote the project alongside Peter Rader and David Twohy and produced (as well as reportedly being one of the biggest issues backstage), Waterworld remains known for being one of the biggest flops in Hollywood history.
Starring Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Tina Majorino alongside Costner, Waterworld is currently climbing the charts on free streaming platform Tubi, alongside the rom-com Blast from the Past, the sci-fi comedy Evolution, Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino’s The Devil’s Advocate, and Jason Statham’s creature feature action sequel, Meg 2: The Trench. You can check out the official synopsis for Waterworld below.
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.
Was ‘Waterworld’ Really as Big a Failure as You Think?
Having left the glorious times of 1995 behind three decades ago, it’s easier now to stand outside the moment that Waterworld was released and analyze whether the sci-fi action outing really was the failure it’s become known as. Met with mixed reviews, as reflected in the 59% from critics and 44% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, Waterworld undeniably boasts vast science fiction spectacle alongside a vintage, enigmatic performance from Kevin Costner as the mysterious Mariner.
Tonally, Waterworld can be a little confusing, with the movie leaping from darkly ambitious themes to gleefully cheesy moments in a heartbeat. But honestly, this just adds to the movie’s charm. Charm that was no doubt missed thanks to the toxic buzz that polluted Waterworld throughout production and release.
Not only were the reviews far better than anyone familiar with Waterworld’s reputation likely expected, but the post-apocalyptic action movie didn’t even struggle that much at the box office. Well, not as much as you probably think, anyway. Despite becoming notoriously known for “flopping,” it was far from the financial disaster you might think. Debuting at #1 at the box office, Waterworld grossed $264 million. While this was considered a disappointment, when combined with the movie’s solid home video release, Waterworld did turn a profit against its reported production budget of around $175 million.
Waterworld
- Release Date
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July 28, 1995
- Runtime
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135minutes
- Director
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Kevin Reynolds
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