Year: 2008
Runtime: 90 min
Language: English
Director: Gil Kenan
Budget: $55M
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!
Trace every key event in City of Ember (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:43
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape City of Ember. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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.
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.
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.
City of Ember (2008) Plot Summary & Movie Recap
City of Ember (2008) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
City of Ember (2008) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like City of Ember – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Vesper (2022) Film Overview & Timeline
The City of Lost Children (1995) Detailed Story Recap
Metropolis (2002) Complete Plot Breakdown
Earth to Echo (2014) Detailed Story Recap
Mortal Engines (2018) Complete Plot Breakdown
9 (2009) Story Summary & Characters
Robots (2005) Story Summary & Characters
After Earth (2013) Detailed Story Recap
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Embers (2016) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Electric State (2025) Full Summary & Key Details
Electric City (2012) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Adventures in Dinosaur City (1991) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Neon City (1991) Detailed Story Recap
The City of Masters (1965) Complete Plot Breakdown