Year: 2019
Runtime: 138 min
Language: English
Director: Roland Emmerich
In June 1942, the clash at Midway became a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This film recounts the true story of the American forces facing a formidable Japanese fleet, highlighting the courage and determination of the leaders and soldiers involved. Against overwhelming odds, their bravery and strategic decisions proved crucial in changing the course of the war and marking a turning point in the conflict.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Midway 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 Midway (2019), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In 1937, just years prior to the onset of World War II, a crucial conversation unfolds between the US Naval attache in Tokyo and his Japanese counterpart at a pivotal state function. During this meeting, Isoroku Yamamoto (Etsushi Toyokawa), the Commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, discreetly warns Edwin T. Layton (Patrick Wilson), an intelligence officer for the US Pacific Fleet, that Japan will take decisive action if their oil supplies are jeopardized.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese fleet launches a devastating assault on Pearl Harbor, marking the United States’ entry into World War II. In the wake of this catastrophic event, a shake-up in command occurs at Pearl Harbor, as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (Woody Harrelson) is appointed commander of the severely damaged US Pacific Fleet. Later, Layton confronts Nimitz regarding his inability to alert Washington about the imminent attack, and Nimitz urges him to remain resolute in the face of challenges from command to prevent a repeat of such a surprise onslaught.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky (Luke Evans) finds himself onboard the USS Enterprise, stationed 170 miles from Pearl Harbor that fateful morning. Fortunately, this strategic positioning spares the carrier fleet from the initial wave of the Japanese attack, thus thwarting their objective to eliminate the US carriers. Among the crew are notable personnel such as Bruno Gaido (Nick Jonas), Lieutenant Clarence Earle Dickinson (Luke Kleintank), Ensign Willie West (Jake Manley), and others.
As the battle rages on, Lieutenant Roy Pearce ([Alexander Ludwig]) stands as the watch officer of the USS Arizona, bravely met with demise amidst the destruction of his ship. In contrast, Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey ([Dennis Quaid]) swiftly tracks Japanese carrier movements, grappling with the challenge of pinning down their locations as intelligence reports reveal a full-scale assault from the Japanese fleet.
The Japanese naval leaders express frustration over missed opportunities; Yamamoto is particularly upset with Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo ([Jun Kunimura]), who elected not to obliterate the oil tankers at Pearl Harbor, a decision that could have significantly hindered US operations for an extended period.
Transitioning to February 1st, Nimitz propels Halsey’s battle group to assault Japanese positions at the Marshall Islands. Despite being outnumbered and suffering from supply issues, the brave pilots deliver significant damage to Japanese forces. A daring act by Machinist Bruno Gaido helps repel a kamikaze strike, showcasing the resilience of American forces.
In April 1942, post the Doolittle Raid, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle (Aaron Eckhart), the Japanese focus shifts towards the Coral Sea. Tensions mount as information leaks concerning the Japanese naval fleet’s movements; cryptologists under Joseph Rochefort (Brennan Brown) start intercepting critical communications tied to a location referred to as “AF”. Layton suspects that this target is in fact Midway Atoll, challenging Washington’s belief that it could be an Aleutian site.
On June 4, the Japanese launch an all-out air assault on Midway. The initial attempts by US land-based aircraft yield no successes, but a US submarine pinpoints a Japanese carrier, albeit missing the shot. As the battle unfolds, C. Wade McClusky leads a drastic offensive against the Japanese fleet, resulting in the destruction of key carriers.
Eventually, amidst heavy combat intelligence, Lieutenant Richard “Dick” Best (Ed Skrein), the executive officer of Bombing Squadron Six, musters a group of remaining pilots to target Hiryu. A crucial hit by Best ensures the destruction of the last Japanese carrier, causing Admiral Yamamoto to order a retreat, effectively ending the brutal Battle of Midway.
In the aftermath, intelligence intercepts confirm Japan’s withdrawal, leading to a pivotal victory for the United States. The narrative culminates with Nimitz’s momentous arrival in Tokyo Bay to accept the Japanese surrender on September 2nd, 1945. The fates of those involved unfold, revealing the consequences of war, including the tragic aftermath faced by those who supported Doolittle’s escape and the legacy of the young pilots like Best, who would never again take to the skies due to a battle with TB, becoming legendary for his unprecedented strike.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 20:59
Don't stop at just watching — explore Midway 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 Midway is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Midway 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 Midway 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.
Midway (2019) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Midway (2019) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Midway – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Midway (1976) Movie Recap & Themes
Pearl Harbor (2001) Film Overview & Timeline
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016) Complete Plot Breakdown
Flying Leathernecks (1951) Detailed Story Recap
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) Movie Recap & Themes
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Dunkirk (2017) Movie Recap & Themes
Run Silent Run Deep (1958) Full Movie Breakdown
Devotion (2022) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Saving Private Ryan (1998) Full Movie Breakdown
1941 (1979) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Sands of Iwo Jima (1950) Full Movie Breakdown
Flags of Our Fathers (2006) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Top Gun (1986) Story Summary & Characters
Flyboys (2006) Detailed Story Recap