Cloverfield

Year: 2008

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Matt Reeves

Budget: $25M

ActionSci-FiMysteryThriller

A group of friends hosts a farewell party in New York City when a sudden attack throws the metropolis into chaos. A massive, unknown creature emerges, destroying everything in its path as it rampages through Manhattan. Armed with only a handheld video camera, the group struggles to survive the escalating disaster and capture the terrifying events unfolding around them, all while desperately seeking safety and answers.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cloverfield 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 – Cloverfield (2008)

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

Location

Central Park, Coney Island, Liberty Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central Terminal

The movie takes place primarily in Manhattan, where iconic locations like Central Park and Grand Central Terminal are pivotal to the story. Coney Island represents a nostalgic backdrop for Rob and Beth's relationship, highlighting moments of warmth before tragedy strikes. The Brooklyn Bridge becomes a route of escape during chaos, symbolizing hope amid destruction, while Liberty Island serves as the backdrop for the initial horror with the infamous Statue of Liberty.

🏙️ City 🌉 Bridge 🏝️ Island 🌳 Park

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:46

Main Characters – Cloverfield (2008)

Meet the key characters of Cloverfield (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 19:46

Major Themes – Cloverfield (2008)

Explore the central themes of Cloverfield (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 19:46

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Found footage survival movies like Cloverfield

Chaotic disaster stories told through a personal, first-person camera lens.If you liked the chaotic, first-person perspective of Cloverfield, explore more movies that use found footage to create an immersive sense of danger and desperation. These films put you right in the middle of urban disasters, paranormal events, and monster attacks.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is typically straightforward: an ordinary event is interrupted by a catastrophic threat. The story unfolds in real-time or near real-time through a character's camera, documenting their desperate struggle for survival with minimal exposition or backstory.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their unique cinematic perspective, which directly influences the tone, pacing, and emotional impact. The shared experience is one of visceral immersion, constant tension, and a raw, unfiltered view of chaos.

Bleak monster apocalypse movies similar to Cloverfield

Stories where humanity faces an unstoppable force with little hope of victory.For viewers who enjoyed the sheer scale of destruction and the desperate survival vibe of Cloverfield, this list features similar stories of monstrous threats causing urban chaos. These films share a high-intensity, tense atmosphere and often conclude with a sense of devastating loss.

apocalypticterrifyingdesperatehigh stakescatastrophichopelessurban chaos

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows characters as they navigate a world suddenly thrown into chaos by an inexplicable and powerful entity. The journey is less about defeating the monster and more about enduring its rampage, often culminating in a pyrrhic survival or total loss.

Why These Movies?

They are united by a shared mood of existential dread and the theme of humanity's fragility. The experience is defined by high-stakes action, a constant feeling of being hunted, and an emotionally heavy, often bleak conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Cloverfield

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

Cloverfield Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cloverfield, 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.

Cloverfield Timeline

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

Cloverfield Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cloverfield 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 Cloverfield

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

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Discover movies like Cloverfield 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.