The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element

Year: 1997

Runtime: 126 min

Language: English

Director: Luc Besson

ActionAdventureSci-FiThrillerRomance

In a futuristic New York City, a taxi driver named Dallas finds his ordinary life disrupted when he encounters Leeloo, a being who holds the key to saving humanity. She is the last of the five elements needed to stop a great evil from destroying Earth. Dallas becomes entangled in a desperate quest, teaming up with a quirky priest and a mysterious performer, as they race against time and confront formidable adversaries to prevent global annihilation.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Fifth Element 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 – The Fifth Element (1997)

Trace every key event in The Fifth Element (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ancient Guardians Unite

In the early days of World War I, an ancient Egyptian temple served as a vital meeting point for Earth's mystical guardians and the extraterrestrial Mondoshawans. These beings were tasked with defending Earth against an ancient evil that threatened to return every 5,000 years.

Early days of World War I Egyptian Temple
2

The Sacred Stones and the Fifth Element

The Mondoshawans entrusted a priestly representative with four sacred stones that each represented a classical element, alongside a sarcophagus containing the powerful Fifth Element. They vowed to return before the awakening of the great evil.

3

Reemergence of Ancient Evil

Fast forward to the 23rd century, an apocalyptic fire emerged from space, signaling the return of the ancient terror. This fiery menace obliterated an armed spaceship that was headed for Earth, marking the beginning of chaos throughout the Federated Territories.

23rd Century Space
4

The President Briefed

As chaos ensued, priest Vito Cornelius briefed the President on the dark history of the great evil and the singular weapon capable of neutralizing this existential threat. His knowledge of the ancient evil was crucial to understanding the looming danger.

Earth
5

Mondoshawan Vessel Ambushed

A vessel carrying the precious relic from the Mondoshawans was ambushed by a mercenary crew called the Mangalores. Hired by industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, this action was part of the ongoing threat posed by the ancient evil.

6

The Severed Hand's Journey

The remains of the destroyed Mondoshawan ship included a dismembered hand encased in metallic armor. This hand was brought to New York City, setting off a series of events that would significantly alter the course of human history.

New York City
7

Creation of Leeloo

Using biotechnology, the government recreated Leeloo, the original occupant of the sarcophagus, from the severed hand. As she began to regain her fragmented memories, she managed to escape and crash-land into an aerial taxi piloted by Korben Dallas.

Earth
8

Leeloo’s Essential Revelations

Under the guidance of priest Cornelius, Leeloo revealed that the vital stones were missing from the Mondoshawan ship. Their whereabouts were linked to the famous alien opera singer, Plavalaguna, making her a target for their mission.

9

Dallas's Mission Begun

Earth’s military devised a plan to task Dallas with locating Plavalaguna. This critical mission was cleverly disguised as a rigged radio contest, promising a luxurious escape to a flying hotel orbiting Fhloston.

Fhloston
10

Surprise on the Spaceship

As Dallas embarked on the mission alongside Leeloo, priest Cornelius secretly stowed away on their luxurious vessel, along with his apprentice David. The Mangalores also boarded the ship, creating tension ahead of the concert where they planned to confront Plavalaguna.

Spaceship
11

The Attack at the Concert

During Plavalaguna's concert, the Mangalores launched a brutal attack, interrupting the event and putting everyone in grave danger. Dallas seized this chaos to retrieve the precious stones from Plavalaguna, but faced overwhelming opposition.

Concert Venue
12

Zorg's Betrayal

In a dramatic turn, Zorg arrived at the chaos, firing at Leeloo while initiating a countdown on a time bomb. Dallas was horrified when Zorg fled with what he believed to be the stones, only to find out it was an empty container.

13

Daring Escape

After the attack, Dallas found a traumatized Leeloo and together they made a daring escape aboard Zorg's private spaceship. Joined by Cornelius and the others, they secured the precious stones, setting the stage for a final confrontation.

Zorg’s Spaceship
14

Power of the Stones

Gathered at a sacred temple, the four heroes attempted to channel the stones’ formidable power. Leeloo, feeling lost and despondent, required Dallas’s heartfelt love and encouragement to unlock her true potential and the stones' powers.

Sacred Temple
15

Victory Over Evil

In a final display of strength, Leeloo unleashed the combined power of the stones, obliterating the impending evil and restoring tranquility. Celebrated as heroes, Dallas and Leeloo embraced, solidifying their bond and the victory of humanity.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 11:12

Unlock the Full Story of The Fifth Element

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

The Fifth Element Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Fifth Element, 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.

The Fifth Element Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fifth Element

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Fifth Element. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fifth Element

More About The Fifth Element

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

More About The Fifth Element

Similar Movies to The Fifth Element

Discover movies like The Fifth Element 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.