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Geostorm (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 109 min · English
Echo score 38
JustWatch #6,257 103
Directed by
Dean Devlin
Starring
Gerard Butler, Andy Garcia, Abbie Cornish, Richard Schiff, Zazie Beetz, Amr Waked
Budget
$120M

When a network of climate-controlling satellites malfunctions, triggering devastating natural disasters worldwide, world leaders must work together. A former satellite designer and a maverick meteorologist join forces to uncover the cause of the system’s failure and stop a catastrophic geostorm from destroying the planet. They race against time to find the truth and prevent global annihilation.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Geostorm
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Geostorm (2017)

Where can you watch Geostorm? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on YouTube TV, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Geostorm Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Geostorm (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Initiation of Dutch Boy Project

    In 2019, the United States government initiates a groundbreaking project called Dutch Boy, aimed at climate control through a series of satellites. This ambitious project aims to prevent devastating weather events by manipulating climate conditions globally.

    When
    2019
  2. Typhoon Neutralized

    Dutch Boy demonstrates its capabilities when it successfully neutralizes a furious typhoon, showcasing the potential of the satellite system. However, this success draws criticism when chief architect Jake Lawson acts without proper authorization.

  3. Leadership Change

    Following the backlash from the Senate sub-committee, Jake Lawson is relieved of his duties and replaced by his brother, Max Lawson, who works under Secretary of State Leonard Dekkom. This shift in leadership raises concerns about the oversight and future direction of the Dutch Boy project.

  4. Discovery in Afghanistan

    Three years later, a United Nations team in Afghanistan discovers an inexplicably frozen village in the hot desert. Amidst this bizarre finding, an Indian engineer named Makmoud steals crucial satellite data before a catastrophic incident sends him into space.

    When
    Three years later
    Where
    Afghanistan
  5. Jake and Max Team Up

    After learning of the incident from President Andrew Palma, Max persuades Jake to help investigate the satellite's mysterious failures. Their mission is crucial to uncovering the truth behind the calamity associated with Dutch Boy.

  6. Danger in Hong Kong

    As temperatures rise dangerously in Hong Kong, a Firenado emerges, threatening many lives. Cheng Long, the head of Dutch Boy's Hong Kong operations, narrowly escapes but faces dire consequences as critical errors are uncovered.

    Where
    Hong Kong
  7. Data Malfunction

    Upon arriving at the International Climate Space Station (ICSS), Jake and station commander Ute Fassbinder attempt to analyze the malfunctioning satellite's data. To their shock, critical information necessary for their investigation is erased by an unexpected system failure.

    Where
    International Climate Space Station
  8. Warning of Geostorm

    Cheng, now facing a loss of privileges, warns Max about an impending global catastrophe known as Geostorm. He stresses the urgency of addressing the system failures to avoid disaster while evading threats from armed operatives.

  9. Nexus of Malfunction

    Jake discovers a troubling pattern of satellite malfunctions tied to a sinister code named Zeus. As extreme weather events escalate, he realizes the implications of manipulating climate systems and the potential for widespread disaster.

  10. Tragic Loss

    As tensions rise, Cheng meets a tragic fate while trying to pass vital information to Max. His death heightens the urgency of the situation as Jake and Ute become increasingly suspicious of potential betrayal within their ranks.

  11. Virus Discovered

    Jake, Ute, and Ray Dussette uncover evidence of a virus that compromises the login systems of crucial satellites. This revelation raises alarms about President Palma's intentions and the possibility that Dutch Boy could be weaponized.

  12. Chaos Unfolds

    Max, realizing the dire circumstances, reaches out to his girlfriend Sarah for assistance in acquiring a vital kill code to shut down the corrupted systems. Meanwhile, global situations worsen in places like Japan and Rio de Janeiro, amplifying the stakes.

  13. Seizing Control

    In a bold move, Max and Sarah take action against President Palma, suspecting that his security agents pose a serious threat. They unveil Dekkom's sinister plans to manipulate global politics by eliminating adversaries using the Dutch Boy technology.

  14. Showdown in Space

    Jake faces a life-or-death situation as the ICSS initiates a destructive self-destruct sequence. He collaborates with Ute to ensure the reboot of the systems, racing against time to prevent a global catastrophe.

    Where
    International Climate Space Station
  15. Resolution and Recovery

    In the gripping finale, Jake and Ute manage to transfer satellite control to NASA just in time to avert disaster. Months later, a secure and internationally governed satellite system offers hope for a safer future, with Jake at the helm.

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 11:27

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Timeline questions answered

Geostorm Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Geostorm (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Jake Lawson replaced by his brother Max as the head of Dutch Boy?

Jake Lawson was replaced after he acted without authorization to neutralize a furious typhoon using the Dutch Boy satellite system. His unilateral action drew severe criticism from a Senate sub-committee, resulting in his removal from the project. His brother Max took over, working under Secretary of State Leonard Dekkom.

  • jake lawson
  • max lawson
  • dutch boy
  • senate committee
  • removed from project
Q2

What caused the Dutch Boy satellite system to start causing extreme weather?

The satellites were compromised by a virus with code name Zeus that was tampering with login access to vital satellites. This virus initiated a self-destruct process in the ICSS and caused the satellites to malfunction, triggering extreme weather events worldwide.

Foreshadowing: Earlier security lapses during the leadership transition created vulnerabilities that allowed the virus to infiltrate the system.

  • dutch boy
  • zeus virus
  • satellite malfunction
  • extreme weather
  • climate control
Q3

Why did Jake suspect President Palma wanted to weaponize Dutch Boy?

Jake grew convinced that President Palma intended to leverage Dutch Boy as a weapon rather than handing it over to the international committee. This suspicion was fueled by his discovery of the Zeus virus and the pattern of satellite malfunctions that could be used to manipulate climatic patterns against specific targets.

  • president palma
  • jake lawson
  • dutch boy weapon
  • conspiracy
  • international committee
Q4

What is the Geostorm that Cheng Long warns about?

Geostorm was the term used to describe the impending catastrophic global weather catastrophe that would result if the faults within the Dutch Boy system were not addressed. Cheng warned that failing to fix the system would lead to worldwide destruction on a massive scale.

  • geostorm
  • cheng long
  • global catastrophe
  • weather disaster
Q5

Why did Cheng Long die while trying to contact Max?

Cheng Long was killed while attempting to pass vital information to Max about the looming Geostorm. He was evading armed operatives who were hunting him, and he met a tragic end just as he tried to communicate critical information that could have helped prevent the disaster.

Foreshadowing: Cheng had previously warned Max about the Geostorm and lost his access privileges, making him a target.

  • cheng long
  • max lawson
  • killed
  • geostorm warning
  • armed operatives
Q6

What was the kill code and why was it needed to stop the Geostorm?

The kill code was a critical security measure that Max and Sarah needed to obtain from President Palma. It was required to execute a system reboot that would shut down the corrupted satellites and stop the extreme weather events caused by the Zeus virus.

  • kill code
  • system reboot
  • satellite control
  • nasa
  • stop geostorm
Q7

What were Secretary Dekkom's true intentions with Dutch Boy?

Dekkom's sinister plan was to use the Dutch Boy technology to eliminate America's geopolitical foes and angle for global dominance. He orchestrated the conspiracy to weaponize the climate control system, using the virus to create disasters in other countries while positioning the US to benefit politically.

  • leonard dekkom
  • dutch boy weapon
  • global dominance
  • political conspiracy
Q8

What happened to the data that Makmoud stole in Afghanistan?

Makmoud, an Indian engineer, stole crucial satellite data from the Afghanistan satellite and hid a hard disk with this vital information in his personal locker before his life-altering accident that sent him into space. This data was meant to be recovered but the unexpected malfunction erased critical information needed for the investigation.

  • makmoud
  • afghanistan
  • hard disk
  • stolen data
  • satellite data
Q9

How did Jake and Ute manage to stop the Geostorm from destroying Earth?

Jake and Ute worked together to execute a system reboot despite the ICSS initiating a destructive self-destruct sequence. They managed to transfer satellite control to NASA just in time, successfully averting the Geostorm and saving the planet from catastrophic destruction.

Foreshadowing: Jake had been investigating the nexus of malfunctioning satellites and discovered the virus that was causing the catastrophic events.

  • jake lawson
  • ute fassbinder
  • nasa
  • system reboot
  • icss
  • save world
Q10

Why was the transfer of Dutch Boy from US to international oversight halted?

Plans to transfer Dutch Boy from US oversight to an international committee came to a halt due to security lapses revealed during the leadership transition when Max replaced Jake. These security concerns delayed the international handover of the climate control system.

  • dutch boy
  • international oversight
  • security lapses
  • transfer halted
  • us government

Movie threads

More Movies Like Geostorm, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Geostorm tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Race-against-time disaster movies like Geostorm

Thrillers about stopping a planet-wide disaster before time runs out. If you enjoyed the high-stakes urgency of Geostorm, this collection features similar movies where characters face a global threat. These stories are fast-paced thrillers with scientific puzzles and heroic efforts to avert catastrophe, perfect for fans of disaster and survival narratives.

  • urgent
  • high-stakes
  • suspenseful
  • race-against-time
  • thrilling
  • catastrophic
  • Tone: tense, urgent, high-stakes
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a clear, escalating threat that requires both intellectual problem-solving and daring physical action. The plot revolves around a small team or individual discovering the true nature of the danger—often a malfunctioning technology or natural phenomenon—and navigating obstacles, including bureaucratic red tape or hidden antagonists, to implement a last-minute solution.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core structure of a looming global disaster, a fast-paced investigative and action-oriented plot, and a tone of relentless tension. They offer a similar viewing experience of high anxiety mixed with the satisfaction of seeing a complex, large-scale problem solved through ingenuity and courage.

Technological sabotage thrillers similar to Geostorm

Stories where humanity's greatest inventions turn into its deadliest threats. For viewers who liked the conspiracy and system malfunction plot of Geostorm, this section highlights movies with similar themes. These films explore the dangers of advanced technology, often involving political intrigue, hidden villains, and a fight to reclaim control from a failing system.

  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • conspiracy
  • technological thrillers
  • sabotage
  • high-stakes
  • Tone: tense, paranoid, suspenseful
  • Pacing: fast, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The common narrative involves a protagonist, often the creator or an expert of the technology, who is called back to fix a critical failure. They quickly discover that the problem is not accidental but stems from human intervention—a conspiracy, corporate espionage, or political betrayal. The journey becomes a dual mission: technically solving the crisis while exposed and hunted by the saboteurs.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their central theme of technological vulnerability and the betrayal of trust. They blend action with conspiracy, creating a paranoid atmosphere where the tools of safety become weapons. The appeal lies in the intellectual mystery of the sabotage and the physical race to undo it.

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Movies Like Geostorm

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Every angle

Geostorm (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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