San Andreas

San Andreas

Year: 2015

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Brad Peyton

Budget: $110M

ActionAdventureDramaThriller

When a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake strikes California along the San Andreas Fault, a rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) must race against time to save his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) and their daughter. Facing collapsed buildings and widespread devastation, they journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco, battling not only the earthquake's immediate impact but also the subsequent aftershocks and dangers that threaten their family's survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen San Andreas 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!

San Andreas (2015) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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Raymond “Ray” Gaines, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, is an Air Rescue pilot with the Los Angeles Fire Department facing a tough divorce from his estranged wife, Emma, played by Carla Gugino. As he plans a trip to San Francisco with his daughter, Blake, portrayed by Alexandra Daddario, disaster strikes.

Meanwhile, seismologist Lawrence Hayes, played by Paul Giamatti, along with his assistant Dr. Kim Park, is conducting research at Hoover Dam when an unexpected fault line ruptures, unleashing a catastrophic 7.1 magnitude earthquake that damages the dam, leading to Park’s tragic demise.

As Ray is summoned for duty in the wake of the disaster, Blake instead goes to San Francisco with Emma’s new partner, Daniel Riddick, portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd. Soon, Hayes deduces that the San Andreas Fault is on the verge of a more devastating earthquake. During a lunch outing, Emma experiences the force of a 9.1 magnitude quake that takes the life of Daniel’s sister Susan, played by Kylie Minogue. In a heart-pounding moment, Ray saves Emma from a crumbling building, narrowly escaping by helicopter.

In the chaos of San Francisco, Blake, alongside Daniel, encounters Ben, an engineering student played by Hugo Johnstone-Burt, and his brother Ollie, portrayed by Art Parkinson. They attempt to find safety but get stuck in a parking garage as more earthquakes unfold. While Daniel abandons her, Blake teams up with Ben and Ollie, who help her reach a phone to call Ray and Emma for rescue.

Ray’s helicopter suffers mechanical failure, forcing him to land in a shopping mall at Bakersfield, where he commandeers a truck to push through the looting chaos. On their journey, they encounter an elderly couple who offer their plane in exchange for Ray’s vehicle, aiding in their quest to reach Blake.

Back in San Francisco, Blake, Ben, and Ollie struggle to send a signal from Coit Tower, which is now ablaze. As Ray and Emma parachute into the city amidst a colossal 9.6 magnitude earthquake—the largest ever recorded—they face overwhelming destruction. In the ensuing turmoil, they persevere despite an imminent tsunami.

The tsunami strikes as the group runs into Daniel’s building, which becomes inundated, resulting in Daniel’s demise on the Golden Gate Bridge when a cargo ship destroys its span. Evading disaster, Ray and Emma eventually find Blake, Ben, and Ollie amidst the flooding chaos. After a tense moment of uncertainty, Ray manages to revive Blake, leading to a joyful reunion.

They finally arrive at a relief camp where Ray and Emma, now reconciled, discuss their future together as rescue operations begin to unfold across the ravaged San Francisco Bay Area.

Last Updated: October 31, 2024 at 15:20

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Disaster Survival Movies like San Andreas

High-stakes journeys through large-scale disasters where every second counts.If you enjoyed the high-stakes thrill of San Andreas, this list features similar movies centered on catastrophic survival. These films combine large-scale destruction with personal rescue missions, delivering fast-paced, tense, and heroic stories where characters battle against overwhelming natural or man-made disasters.

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Family Reconciliation Stories like in San Andreas

Estranged families reuniting and healing their wounds while facing extreme danger.For viewers who appreciated the emotional core of San Andreas, this collection highlights movies where family reconciliation is a central theme. These films often involve estranged parents and children overcoming their differences while navigating a high-intensity survival scenario, blending heavy emotional weight with tense action.

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The narrative pattern involves a family dealing with emotional separation—such as divorce or estrangement—who are thrust into a life-threatening situation. The shared peril forces them to rely on each other, rekindling bonds and prioritizing their unity over past conflicts, often leading to a hopeful resolution.

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These movies are united by their focus on the emotional journey of a family repairing their relationships under extreme pressure. The combination of heavy emotional weight, high-intensity action, and a ultimately hopeful resolution creates a specific and compelling story arc.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in San Andreas

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San Andreas Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About San Andreas

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