City of Ember

Year: 2008

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Gil Kenan

Budget: $55M

AdventureSci-FiFantasyFamily

Generations ago, the city of Ember was built as a refuge from a cataclysmic event, but now its power source is failing. As the lights flicker and die, two resourceful young people discover clues hinting at a possible escape to the legendary surface world. They embark on a dangerous journey through the decaying city, facing perilous obstacles and uncovering long-hidden truths about Ember's origins, all while struggling to save their community from an impending blackout.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen City of Ember 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!

Timeline & Setting – City of Ember (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of City of Ember (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

Main Characters – City of Ember (2008)

Meet the key characters of City of Ember (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

Major Themes – City of Ember (2008)

Explore the central themes of City of Ember (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about dying worlds and discovery like City of Ember

Hopeful young heroes uncover the secrets of a decaying, isolated society.If you enjoyed the adventurous mystery of City of Ember, you'll like these movies about resourceful heroes in decaying societies. Discover similar sci-fi and fantasy stories where young characters unravel secrets to save their community from a dying world, blending hope with high-stakes survival.

claustrophobicurgenthopefuladventurousdiscoveryyouthfulmysteriousdying world

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear quest where characters discover forgotten clues about their world's past, leading them on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. The story is propelled by a series of puzzles and obstacles, building towards a hopeful resolution that offers a new beginning.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared setting of a crumbling, isolated society and their central theme of youthful discovery. They balance a sense of urgent survival with a hopeful, problem-solving tone, creating an engaging adventure that is serious but not overwhelmingly dark.

Movies with youth-led survival quests like City of Ember

Young characters take charge to overcome corruption and save their community.Fans of City of Ember will enjoy these stories of brave young heroes leading dangerous missions. Find similar teen-led adventure movies where characters confront corruption and decay, using their wits and resilience to save their friends and family in a straightforward, hopeful narrative.

youthfulresourcefuladventurousurgenthopefulresilientagainst the oddscoming of age

Narrative Summary

The plot centers on young protagonists who identify a grave threat that adults ignore or enable. They piece together a plan, often against authority, facing physical and moral challenges that test their resolve. Their success reaffirms the power of youth, integrity, and teamwork.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core dynamic: the intelligence and moral clarity of young people triumphing over a stagnant or corrupt establishment. The experience is defined by medium emotional weight, a steady pace of problem-solving, and an ultimately uplifting conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of City of Ember

Don't stop at just watching — explore City of Ember 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 City of Ember is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

City of Ember Summary

Read a complete plot summary of City of Ember, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

City of Ember Timeline

Track the full timeline of City of Ember with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

City of Ember Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of City of Ember that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About City of Ember

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about City of Ember: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to City of Ember

Discover movies like City of Ember 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.