Image Source: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
When Waterworld hit theaters in the summer of 1995, it arrived as the most expensive film ever produced at the time, carrying unprecedented industry scrutiny. Media attention focused on its large-scale production, escalating budget, and questions about how Kevin Costner’s ambitious ocean-set adventure would ultimately land with audiences. The film’s release drew mixed critical reactions, acknowledging both its sweeping world-building and uneven execution.
Premise
Set in the year 2500, Waterworld imagines a future where the polar ice caps have melted, submerging nearly all land. Humanity now survives on floating atolls and salvaged remnants of the pre-flood world. Kevin Costner stars as The Mariner, a mutant with gills and webbed feet who becomes entangled with Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and Enola (Tina Majorino), a young girl believed to hold the key to locating the legendary Dryland.
Cast
Kevin Costner as The Mariner
Dennis Hopper as Deacon
Jeanne Tripplehorn as Helen
Tina Majorino as Enola
Michael Jeter as Gregor
Kevin Costner Reflects on the Challenges of Waterworld
During the film’s original release, Kevin Costner told us that the production had taken a substantial toll on him both personally and professionally. He explained that he spent well over a year working on the film, far more than a standard acting schedule, which limited his ability to take on other projects.
Costner also described navigating creative tensions between Kevin Reynolds and the studio. When Reynolds ultimately left during post-production, Costner said the responsibility for finishing the project shifted to him, fully aware of how that transition might be perceived publicly.
Click on the media bar below to hear Kevin Costner.
Five Facts About Waterworld
- Originally conceived in 1986 as a “Mad Max on water” concept
- Director Kevin Reynolds left during post-production, and Kevin Costner oversaw completion
- The one hundred seventy five million dollar budget made it the most expensive film ever produced at the time
- The practical atoll set weighed approximately one thousand tons and stretched a quarter mile in circumference
- The property continues through long-running Waterworld stunt shows at Universal Studios parks worldwide
Reception and Legacy
Although initially viewed as a financial disappointment, Waterworld found new life through home video, cable rotation, and its enduring stunt show attractions. Over time, it developed a reputation as a cult title, noted for its large-scale practical effects, distinctive setting, and ambitious scope.
Watch the Original Waterworld Trailer
Universal’s original 1995 trailer presented Waterworld as a sweeping, effects-driven summer spectacle, emphasizing its post-apocalyptic ocean setting, large-scale stunts, and Kevin Costner’s mysterious Mariner. The preview established the film’s tone as an expansive, high-stakes adventure built on massive practical sets and bold world-building.
Where to Watch
Waterworld is available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and digital platforms. It is currently streaming on Prime Video.
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