A notorious flop cracks Tubi’s top ten: 30 years later, Kevin Costner’s Waterworld officially makes a massive streaming comeback
A costly 1995 release
Waterworld was among the most expensive films ever made when it arrived in 1995. It scored just over $250 million, while its budget was reportedly in a similar range.
The movie also received a harsh critical response. Roger Ebert described it as a marginal picture that was worth seeing but difficult to recommend.
Costner’s recent setback
Costner left his role as John Dutton in Yellowstone to pursue Horizon: An American Saga, a proposed four-part Western epic that he had developed over 35 years. He directed, co-wrote, produced and starred in the project, and largely funded it himself.
The first installment earned less than $40 million against a reported $50 million budget. The future of Chapter 2 remained uncertain, although it had reportedly been filmed and screened at the Venice Film Festival in 2024.
A streaming resurgence
More than three decades after its release, Waterworld has found a sizable audience on Tubi. At the time reported, it ranked among the service’s ten most-watched movies in the United States.
The film’s renewed popularity contrasts with its reputation as one of the 1990s’ major financial failures. The Green Mile, starring Tom Hanks, led Tubi’s list.
Key points
- Waterworld ranked among Tubi’s ten most-watched movies in the United States.
- The 1995 film earned just over $250 million and had a reportedly similar-range budget.
- Roger Ebert gave the film a mixed assessment, calling it difficult to recommend.
- Horizon: An American Saga’s first installment made less than $40 million against a reported $50 million budget.