Waterworld
After a drowned Earth makes the ocean humanity’s only home, a solitary mutant sailor is forced into an unlikely alliance against a ruthless pirate leader.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- heightened
- adventurous
- blockbuster night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded Waterworld as an ambitious and visually impressive but uneven action spectacle weakened by a thin story, pacing issues, and inflated production excess.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The melting polar ice caps cover Earth in water and force surviving societies to adapt to life at sea.
The solitary Mariner must care for Helen and Enola while fleeing the Deacon's forces.
The film builds its action and settlements around boats, floating societies, an oil tanker, and expansive ocean sets.
The survivors search for the fabled Dryland as a possible escape from the flooded world.
Films like Waterworld, and why
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
shared post apocalyptic survival, oceanic isolation, and large-scale action adventure
The Road
shared dystopian scarcity, roaming antagonists, and heightened survivalist worldbuilding
The Postman
shared waterlogged post apocalyptic setting, resource conflict, and speculative adventure
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Reynolds
- Release Date
- 1995-07-28
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (4241)
Cast
- Kevin Costner
- Dennis Hopper
- Jeanne Tripplehorn
- Tina Majorino
- R. D. Call
- Gerard Murphy
- Michael Jeter
- Rick Aviles
- Kim Coates
- Chaim Jeraffi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Waterworld about?
- After a drowned Earth makes the ocean humanity’s only home, a solitary mutant sailor is forced into an unlikely alliance against a ruthless pirate leader.
- What is Waterworld like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Waterworld as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Waterworld violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Waterworld as moderate.
- What did critics think of Waterworld?
- Critics broadly regarded Waterworld as an ambitious and visually impressive but uneven action spectacle weakened by a thin story, pacing issues, and inflated production excess.
- Which films are like Waterworld?
- Films with a similar feel include Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, The Road, and The Postman.
- How long is Waterworld?
- Waterworld runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch Waterworld?
- In United States, Waterworld streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
