Year: 2018
Runtime: 88 min
Language: English
Director: Kirk Harris
After a sunburn leaves a dolphin named Bernie stranded on the shores of St. Augustine, two siblings discover him and form a close friendship. They soon learn of a dangerous scheme that jeopardizes the beach and Bernie's underwater habitat. Determined to protect the marine life and rescue their friend, the children devise a courageous plan to thwart the villains and save the day.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Bernie The Dolphin yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Bernie The Dolphin (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The Ryan siblings, Kevin and Holly Ryan, set out on a delightful kayaking trip near St. Augustine, Florida, enjoying the company of playful dolphins. However, their serene outing takes a dramatic turn when they cross paths with Winston Mills, a cunning businessman with ambitious plans for the local cove. Their leisurely adventure comes to an abrupt halt when a boat crash leaves them in peril; fortunately, a courageous dolphin comes to Holly’s rescue, bringing her back from the brink of drowning.
Following their late return, their father, Bob Ryan, grounds both Kevin and Holly for not wearing life vests, but Holly can’t shake the feeling that something is off with one of the dolphins. Their mother, Abby Ryan, takes her children out on their boat, where Holly discovers that one of the dolphins is missing, prompting her and Kevin to plaster the town with missing posters. Their search leads them to Marineland, where they uncover that the dolphin, named Bernie, has been rescued and is currently undergoing treatment.
Simultaneously, Winston Mills discusses his plans with Bob’s superior, Luke Lawson, to construct an ocean park on Bob’s land, sweetening the pot with the promise of a promotion for Bob. Unimpressed with this scheme, Kevin and Holly decide to concentrate their efforts on helping Bernie recover and reunite him with his pod. While filming Bernie’s family in hopes of bringing them back together, they inadvertently overhear a sinister conversation between Winston and Mayor Brock Winters regarding an underhanded plan to steal turtle eggs.
In another scenario, Bob attempts to finalize the ocean park deal with Luke, but his children’s warnings about Winston’s dubious intentions go unheeded. Their family celebration for Bob’s promotion takes a dark turn when they find their filming location suspiciously deserted.
That night, Kevin devises a plan to recover his pilfered camera from Winston. Joined by Holly, they sneak into his office, where they overhear Winston disclosing that their father has unknowingly granted permission for an illegal chemical plant instead of the ocean park. Although Winston catches them red-handed, the siblings manage a narrow escape and encounter Sidney, a friend from Marineland. Winston pursues them furiously, leading to a chaotic moment where he breaks Sidney’s phone.
As Sidney helps bring the children back to safety, Abby offers her technical expertise for repairing the shattered phone, while Bob remains skeptical about the children’s claims. However, Abby and Sidney’s convincing testimonies bring their story to light. The following day, Bob confronts Winston regarding the clandestine chemical plant, receiving a chilling threat in return: Winston will ensure Bob is imprisoned alongside him, thanks to Bob’s own signature on the permits. Frustrated and overwhelmed, Bob decides to resign from his position.
Meanwhile, Abby successfully repairs Sidney’s phone, and Kevin and Holly take it upon themselves to expose the nefarious plans of Winston. As they piece together the truth, including Winston’s intention to acquire Marineland, Bob feels remorse for dismissing their concerns at first. He realizes, however, that their testimonies alone may not suffice for a conviction. Undaunted, Abby suggests they utilize Kevin’s remarkable footage of marine mammals as critical evidence, leading Bob to contact a detective and secure police protection. Consequently, Winston and Mayor Winters face arrest.
In a separate, uplifting thread, Bernie fully recovers from his earlier sunburn and joins the Ryans on a mission to find his family in the ocean. Kevin and Holly share their adventure with the media, revealing their crucial role in unveiling Winston’s and the mayor’s malicious plots. They outline their plans to return Bernie back to the wild where he can reunite with his kin. Ultimately, they manage to locate Bernie’s family on a nearby beach, leading to a heartwarming reunion amid a gathering of intrigued onlookers.
Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 18:14
Don't stop at just watching — explore Bernie The Dolphin in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bernie The Dolphin is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Bernie The Dolphin with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Bernie The Dolphin that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Bernie The Dolphin (2018) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Bernie The Dolphin (2018) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Bernie The Dolphin – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Bernie (2012) Story Summary & Characters
Flipper (1996) Detailed Story Recap
Dolphin Tale (2011) Full Summary & Key Details
The Day of the Dolphin (1973) Complete Plot Breakdown
Dolphin Kick (2019) Full Movie Breakdown
Weekend at Bernie's (1989) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021) Full Movie Breakdown
Club Paradise (1986) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Weekend at Bernie's II (1993) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Baywatch (2017) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Dolphin Reef (2020) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) Story Summary & Characters
Bad Asses on the Bayou (2015) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024) Detailed Story Recap
Staten Island Summer (2015) Ending Explained & Film Insights