Year: 1999
Runtime: 145 min
Language: English
Director: Norman Jewison
Budget: $50M
In 1966, boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is wrongly convicted of murder, leading to a life sentence and sparking a global outcry. Years pass, and a determined Canadian teenager, Lesra Martin, becomes fascinated by Carter's case and begins a tireless campaign to prove his innocence. Their unlikely bond fuels a fight for justice, exposing flaws in the legal system and offering Carter a renewed hope for freedom.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Hurricane 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 The Hurricane (1999), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the heart of a perilous 1992, Hurricane Andrew, a catastrophic category 5 storm, wreaks havoc on Gulfport, Alabama. As young siblings, Will and Breeze Rutledge, evacuate alongside their father, misfortune strikes when their truck becomes immobilized, forcing them to seek safety in a nearby home. Amidst the chaos, a powerful gust sends a water tank crashing down, tragically taking their father’s life.
Fast forward to 2018, and the town of Gulfport braces for yet another formidable hurricane, this time named Tammy. Federal Reserve Treasury agent Casey Corbyn receives an urgent directive from her colleague, Randy Moreno, to enlist Breeze, who has since transitioned into a maintenance role, and whose brother Will is now a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, to fix a malfunctioning generator at a cash storage site.
However, disaster looms when rogue Treasury agents, led by the cunning Connor Perkins, break into the facility and seize Moreno as hostage, intent on executing a massive theft of $600 million. With computer hackers Sasha and Frears at their side, Perkins aims to crack the vault’s code but soon realizes that it may have been altered by Corbyn. To gain access to Corbyn, Perkins uses the town’s transmission tower for a relentless brute-force attack.
As Casey and Breeze journey back to the facility, they unexpectedly cross paths with the mercenaries, resulting in a fierce shootout. Will, operating his storm research vehicle known as the Dominator, rushes in to assist Casey’s escape. Unfortunately, Breeze is left behind and taken captive, coerced into repairing the generator under threat.
Upon learning of Breeze’s peril, Will is devastated but resolute to save her. He and Corbyn consult Sheriff Jimmy Dixon at his station, only to discover his allegiance to Perkins’ crew when he attempts to detain them. In a startling turn of events, Corbyn shoots Dixon, allowing their escape. As they flee, they narrowly outmaneuver a chase instigated by Dixon and a deputy, leading Will to realize the importance of toppling the transmission tower pivotal to their enemy’s plans.
In a race against time, Will and Corbyn manage to bring down the tower just before the mercenaries crack the vault’s code. A chaotic gunfight ensues, but they narrowly evade the attackers. Tensions rise when Dixon turns on Perkins over a previously botched heist, but it ends with Dixon’s demise and Perkins setting his sights back on capturing Corbyn.
While holed up in a mall, Corbyn orchestrates a risky trade for Breeze and Moreno’s freedom in exchange for unlocking the vault. The setup to meet at the Gulfport mall is solidified when plans are hatched to draw the mercenaries out; Will communicates with Breeze, now surrounded by the criminals. The plan unfolds as Corbyn takes her shot at the glass roof, sending the mercenaries spiraling out into the tempest below.
As the hurricane’s onslaught intensifies, Corbyn sacrifices herself to ensure Breeze can rescue Will. The scene shifts to the Treasury facility where Perkins, driven by vengeance, betrays Corbyn and murders Moreno as retribution for the downfall of his associates.
As the storm’s eye travels through, Perkins and his henchmen seize the money using the Treasury’s trucks, but Will and Breeze chase them. Amidst fierce resistance, Will’s vehicle is sucked into the storm while trying to retrieve Sasha and Frears. The elements are merciless, but ultimately, Will, Breeze, and Corbyn manage to escape the storm’s wrath, driving off into the sun, having recovered a staggering $200 million amidst the chaos.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 11:50
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
True stories of individuals wrongly accused and the long fight to clear their names.If you were moved by the fight for justice in The Hurricane, explore these movies like it. This thread gathers powerful dramas based on true stories of wrongful convictions, featuring determined legal battles and the emotional toll of fighting for freedom.
These narratives typically follow a linear, often biographical structure, beginning with an unjust accusation and conviction. The central conflict revolves around a small group of advocates—lawyers, journalists, or ordinary citizens—who uncover new evidence and challenge a resistant system, leading to a climactic legal resolution.
Movies in this thread are united by their heavy emotional weight, tense tone, and focus on a clear moral injustice. They share a fast-paced, determined narrative drive centered on a single, powerful goal: proving innocence against all odds.
Stories where unexpected connections become a lifeline in desperate situations.Discover more movies like The Hurricane that focus on powerful, unlikely alliances. These films showcase how a connection between strangers can spark a journey of redemption, fight against injustice, and provide hope in the darkest of times.
The story often begins with characters in isolated, hopeless circumstances. The introduction of an outsider—someone with a fresh perspective or unwavering belief—breaks the cycle of despair. Their shared journey is the emotional core, transforming both individuals as they work toward a common, difficult goal, resulting in a bittersweet but meaningful resolution.
These films are grouped by their central theme of transformative friendship and its power to overcome systemic obstacles. They share a heavy emotional weight driven by character connection, a tense atmosphere of struggle, and a ultimately hopeful, if bittersweet, conclusion.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Hurricane 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 Hurricane is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Hurricane with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Hurricane. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Hurricane that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Hurricane: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Hurricane 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.
The Hurricane (1999) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Hurricane (1999) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
The Hurricane (1999) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like The Hurricane – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Trials of Darryl Hunt (2007) Movie Recap & Themes
A Crime on the Bayou (2021) Story Summary & Characters
Crown Heights (2017) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Hard Rain (1998) Detailed Story Recap
Conviction (2010) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Trial by Fire (2019) Full Movie Breakdown
Undisputed (2002) Film Overview & Timeline
The Hurricane Heist (2018) Story Summary & Characters
An Innocent Man (1989) Film Overview & Timeline
Hurricane Season (2023) Story Summary & Characters
Hurricane Streets (1997) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Hurricane (1937) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Hurricane Smith (1992) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Hurricane (1974) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Hurricane (1979) Story Summary & Characters