Kevin Costner is currently famous for playing John Dutton in Yellowstone, but he was once one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. He achieved huge success in the 1990s with films like JFK, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Bodyguard, and, famously, Dances With Wolves. He proved he could excel in various types of movies and even directed and starred in Dances With Wolves himself. However, not all of his ’90s films were hits. One movie, in particular, was a well-known failure, but it’s now available to stream on Prime Video and might be worth checking out after 31 years.
Released in 1995, Waterworld is an action movie set in a future where melted polar ice caps have flooded most of the Earth. Kevin Costner not only starred in the film, but also helped produce it. He plays The Mariner, a reluctant hero who travels the watery world and ends up protecting a woman and child who possess a map to the mythical “Dryland.”
Waterworld Has More Good Qualities Than Bad
The movie Waterworld presents a fascinating idea, similar in scope to science fiction adventures like Dune or Mad Max, where the struggle for resources is key. However, the film received very mixed reactions. While people liked the basic concept and the world it created, critics didn’t think the movie was well-made. It also didn’t do well financially, earning only $264 million despite costing a then-record $175 million to produce. Production was famously troubled, with Kevin Costner facing a near-fatal accident and Joss Whedon being brought in at the last moment to revise the script.
Despite being plagued by budget problems, poor reviews, and a difficult production, it’s interesting to revisit Waterworld and see if it truly deserves its bad reputation. With rising sea levels now a very real concern, the film’s central idea feels surprisingly relevant. Beyond the silliness, Waterworld actually has some genuinely good action and a unique, serious tone that sets it apart from most post-apocalyptic blockbusters. It’s not a masterpiece, but looking back, it’s better than many remember – making it a worthwhile watch, especially now that it’s available to stream on Prime.
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2026-02-13 21:10