Year: 2004
Runtime: 131 min
Language: English
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Budget: $100M
A historian discovers a clue to a vast treasure hidden by the Knights Templar centuries ago. He embarks on a thrilling race against a shadowy organization, who are also seeking the fortune. Facing perilous challenges and deciphering historical riddles, he must outwit his adversaries and uncover the long-lost riches before they do.
Get a spoiler-free look at National Treasure (2004) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a world where the symbols of a nation’s birth are whispered to be more than mere memorabilia, a hidden fortune is said to lie beneath centuries‑old riddles left by the Knights Templar. The film paints modern America as a sprawling puzzle board, its historic landmarks and forgotten archives humming with the promise of untold riches. The tone balances swash‑buckling adventure with a dash of wit, inviting the audience to feel both the weight of history and the thrill of a high‑stakes treasure hunt.
At the heart of the quest is Benjamin Franklin Gates, a passionate historian whose family legacy of treasure hunting is as much a blessing as a burden. Driven by a cryptic clue passed down through generations, his obsessive curiosity is matched only by his knack for decoding ancient codes. He is accompanied by his quick‑thinking tech savant friend Riley Poole, whose inventive gadgets and humor provide both support and levity. Along the way, a diligent archivist, Abigail Chase, becomes an intellectual ally, sharing the same reverence for the past and the same daring resolve to pursue answers that many would prefer to leave buried.
Together they find themselves in a relentless race against a shadowy organization that also covets the legendary hoard. The chase leads them from dust‑laden libraries to iconic monuments, each step demanding ingenuity, courage, and a willingness to question what is known. The film’s style merges rapid‑fire dialogue with breathtaking set‑pieces, keeping the mood energetic and infused with the romance of discovery. As the protagonists peel back layers of history, the audience is left eager to follow the trail of clues, wondering what secret lies just beyond the next cipher.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 10:38
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