Directed by

Kristoffer Tabori
Made by

Sunbow Productions
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Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Cobra Commander and Serpentor clash over who drove the organization’s failures, while a hidden power moves behind the scenes. In a bold reveal, Jennifer Darling as Pythona from the secret Cobra-La civilization infiltrates the Terror Drome and exposes a chilling truth: Cobra-La long ago inspired Doctor Mindbender to fashion Serpentor through dream manipulation. At her urging, Serpentor hatches a plan to seize the latest weapon the G.I. Joe team has unveiled—the Broadcast Energy Transmitter (BET)—and use it to force humanity to bend to Cobra-La’s will.
In the Himalayas, Cobra launches a brutal assault on the Joes as they test the BET. The Joes unleash automated defense systems wired to the transmitter, triggering a fierce clash that tests every unit’s mettle. The tide turns when Serpentor is captured, and Cobra Commander orders a strategic retreat, retreating deep into the hollowed chambers of Cobra-La—the underground city that serves as the Cobra command center.
Amid the chaos, a fresh batch of recruits joins the G.I. Joe ranks: the fearless Jinx [Shuko Akune], the disciplined Law [Ron Ortiz], the brawny Big Lob [Brad Sanders], the stealthy Tunnel Rat [Laurie Faso], and the quick-witted Chuckles, alongside Duke’s reckless half-brother, Lt. Falcon [Don Johnson]. The new team is tested almost immediately when Cobra-La’s protections nest within the Lovecraftian ambiance of the living stronghold. In a tense sequence, seven Joes are ambushed and detained as Cobra-La’s ruler Golobulus, with Pythona and Nemesis Enforcer, begins a chilling interrogation of Cobra’s fate.
Back in the Joes’ world, General Hawk [Ed Gilbert] rebukes Falcon for neglecting duty, a punishment that reshapes Falcon’s path as he is reassigned to the Renegades under Sgt. Slaughter [Robert Remus]. The Renegades—Mercer [Kristoffer Tabori], Red Dog [Poncie Ponce], and Taurus [Earl Boen]—team up with Falcon on a covert recon mission inside the Terror Drome. They uncover a critical lead: Baroness has located the BET, and Cobra-la’s sinister plan hinges on those spores—mutative pods fired into space to hatch a parasite war against humanity.
As the battle escalates, Cobra-La’s spore pods threaten the surface world, and Golobulus pushes Cobra Commander to new extremes. The Commander’s punishment in Cobra-La—the transformation into a snake—shocks even his fiercest followers, but he escapes with Roadblock in tow, slipping back toward the Joe camp. Amid the chaos, the Renegades and the new recruits strike a decisive blow, destroying the Terror Drome and foiling Cobra’s immediate assault.
With the BET now in enemy hands, Falcon leads the push to the foothills of the Himalayas, where the Joes confront Golobulus, Pythona, and Serpentor in Cobra-La’s lair. Jinx and Sgt. Slaughter coordinate a daring countermeasure, while Duke’s medical status becomes a beacon of hope: he awakens from his coma, inspiring the team to press on. The climactic confrontation tests every fighter’s resolve as Falcon, Jinx, and Slaughter square off against Golobulus, Pythona, and Nemesis Enforcer.
In a climactic turn, Pythona and Nemesis Enforcer seem to meet their end as Jinx and Slaughter push them toward a fall that seals their fate. Falcon then acts with precision, sending Serpentor out of Cobra-La and reconfiguring the BET so that it incinerates the spores in space. With Cobra-La’s threat neutralized and Golobulus forced to retreat, the Joe team salvages the day. As the dust settles, news arrives that Duke has recovered from his coma, marking a hard-won sense of peace and renewed purpose for the team.
Throughout the struggle, the Joes’ newest members prove their worth, the Renegades prove their loyalty, and the battle between Cobra’s leadership and Cobra-La’s shadowy rulers reveals a mythic origin story hidden beneath a modern war, one that tests loyalty, courage, and the willingness to fight for a world worth saving.
Follow the complete movie timeline of G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Pythona infiltrates Terror Drome and reveals Cobra-La's origins
Pythona infiltrates the Terror Drome and reveals to Serpentor that Cobra-La inspired Doctor Mindbender to create him through dream manipulation. Cobra Commander and Serpentor blame each other for Cobra's failures. At Pythona's urging, Serpentor begins planning to capture the Joes' BET.
Cobra assault on the Joes during BET test
Cobra launches an attack as the Joes test the Broadcast Energy Transmitter in the Himalayas. The Joes activate their automated weapons using the BET and fight off the Cobra assault. Serpentor is captured and Cobra Commander orders a strategic retreat.
Cobra-La captures Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is brought to Cobra-La, where Golobulus and Pythona arrest him. Golobulus and his court recount Cobra-La's ancient rule and their vow to destroy humanity. Golobulus uses a Psychic Motivator to create Serpentor.
Cobra-La history lesson and Serpentor's creation
Golobulus explains Cobra-La's 40,000-year history and how the nobleman who became Cobra Commander sparked their modern conquest. The revelation shows how Cobra-La's isolation shaped Cobra's leadership. The plan to reclaim Earth through Serpentor is reaffirmed.
Zarana's infiltration and Serpentor's breakout
Zarana disguises herself as Falcon to infiltrate Serpentor's holding cell. Falcon is kept under guard by Duke for disciplinary reasons, then deserts to flirt with Jinx. The Dreadnoks and Nemesis Enforcer free Serpentor, injuring Alpine, Bazooka, and Gung-Ho in the process.
Hawk disciplines Falcon and restructures the team
General Hawk scolds Falcon for dereliction of duty and confines him to quarters pending a court-martial. The situation prompts a reassessment of leadership and duty within the Joes. Falcon is later assigned a new path in the team’s ranks.
Cobra Commander transformed by spores
Golobulus exposes Cobra Commander's failures and plans to spread mutative spores via spaceborne pods using the BET. The spores transform Cobra Commander into a snake, and he escapes Cobra-La to join the Joes with Roadblock.
Falcon joins the Renegades for retraining
Duke convinces General Hawk to spare Falcon from punishment and reassigns him to the Slaughter House under Sgt. Slaughter and his Renegades—Mercer, Red Dog, and Taurus. The group undertakes a weaponless recon to learn Cobra's plans and locate the BET.
Recon reveals Cobra plans and destroys Terror Drome
On a weaponless recon mission in the Terror Drome, Falcon and the Renegades uncover Cobra's plans and that the Baroness has discovered the BET's location. They destroy the Terror Drome, crippling Cobra's forward operations.
Cobra assault, BET stolen, Duke falls into a coma
Cobra launches a full assault on the Joes and a counterattack unfolds as the BET is stolen amid the chaos. Serpentor tries to kill Falcon, but Duke intervenes, sending him into a coma. The Joes regroup to defend their position.
Renegades head to Himalayas to stop Cobra-La
Falcon, the Renegades, and the rookie recruits head to the Himalayas to stop Cobra-La. They track Cobra-La to their lair and prepare for the final confrontation. The journey tests the team's resolve and skills.
Final confrontation at Cobra-La
The Joes reach Cobra-La's lair, rescue captured teammates, and face Golobulus, Pythona, and Serpentor. Jinx and Sgt. Slaughter strike decisive blows on Pythona and Nemesis Enforcer, turning the tide of the battle.
BET reconfigured and Cobra-La destroyed
Falcon reconfigures the BET to incinerate the mutative spores in space, destroying Cobra-La as Golobulus escapes. The immediate threat is eliminated, and the Joes celebrate their victory while the Cobra-La colony collapses.
Duke awakens from coma
Immediately after the battle, Duke wakes from his coma and begins his recovery. The Joes reflect on the cost of war and the new leadership dynamic with the rookies integrated into the team.
Explore all characters from G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Lt. Falcon (Don Johnson)
A reckless but capable Green Beret who undergoes retraining with Sgt. Slaughter’s Renegades. His impulsive tendencies collide with duty, forcing him to grow into a steadier team leader. Over the course of the mission, he learns to balance bravado with responsibility and loyalty to his unit.
Jinx
A rookie female ninja whose skills and agility make her a valuable infiltrator for the Joe team. She brings a mysterious edge to the squad and earns the respect of her fellow Joes through precise, disciplined action. Her presence signals a shift toward deeper, more diverse team dynamics.
Duke
The Joe leader and a steady, strategic presence who inspires confidence in the team. He counsels Falcon, maintains unit cohesion, and prioritizes mission focus over personal glory. His leadership helps anchor the team during the Cobra-La crisis.
Cobra Commander
The infamous Cobra figure whose leadership is tested after Golobulus’s trial and transformation. He embodies Cobra’s ambition but is ultimately driven by a volatile mix of pride and fear of failure. His arc explores the fragility of power when manipulated by others.
Golobulus
The ruler of Cobra-La, a prophetic and ruthless architect of a plan to eradicate humanity. He wields a mix of science and myth to justify his dominion over Earth. His revelation about humanity’s past reshapes the Joe-Cobra conflict.
Serpentor
A newly created leader formed through advanced, manipulative methods to unify Cobra’s factions. He pursues dominance with a strategic, ambitious mindset, often clashing with Cobra Commander and Golobulus. His existence embodies the theme of manufactured power and manipulation.
Doctor Mindbender
A brilliant scientist whose experiments with psychic control forged Serpentor’s birth. His mind games and willingness to bend ethics drive much of the plot’s conflict. His work illustrates the dangers of scientific power when divorced from morality.
Nemesis Enforcer
A fearsome enforcer who serves Cobra-La, representing the showpiece of Golobulus’s military strength. He embodies the Lovecraftian quality of Cobra-La’s terrifying, otherworldly intimidation. His confrontation with the Joes heightens the sense of peril during the siege.
Pythona
A Cobra-La operative who manipulates events to advance Cobra-La’s agenda. Her infiltration and strategic planning contribute to Cobra-La’s efforts to destabilize the Joes. She embodies the film’s theme of hidden influence and treachery.
Learn where and when G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Late 1980s
The present-day battles unfold in the 1980s-era G.I. Joe world, featuring high-tech weapons and military intrigue. Interwoven is a 40,000-year backstory showing Cobra-La’s ancient rule and their encounter with early humanity. The narrative alternates between contemporary COMMANDER-era confrontations and ancient origins that shape the modern conflict. This blend situates the film firmly in its 1980s animated franchise milieu.
Location
Himalayas, Cobra-La, Terror Drome
The action shifts through remote, snowbound Himalayan terrain where the Joes test their Broadcast Energy Transmitter. Deep within the mountains lies Cobra-La, a hidden, Lovecraftian civilization that drives the plot’s ancient mystery. Cobra-La’s underground city serves as a remote headquarters and the source of Golobulus’s grand plans. The Terror Drome acts as Cobra’s fortress and staging ground for assaults on the Joes.
Discover the main themes in G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Power
Power drives the actions of multiple factions: Golobulus seeks dominion over humanity through Cobra-La, while Serpentor embodies a manufactured form of authority born from manipulated lineage. Mindbender’s experiments and the Psychic Motivator weaponize influence, creating a new warlord to seize control. Cobra Commander’s transformation after Golobulus’s trials underscores how power can corrupt and redefine loyalty. The climactic repurposing of the BET to erase the threat reveals a critique of centralizing power at the expense of others.
🗺️
Secret History
The story hinges on hidden histories that reshape the present—Cobra-La’s ancient reign and its influence on Cobra’s modern leadership. The revelation that Cobra-La inspired Serpentor through mind manipulation reframes the Joe-Cobra conflict as a clash with a buried, global backstory. The film uses exposition to connect the present-day war to 40,000 years of secret civilization survival. Uncovering these secrets motivates the Joes to pursue a precarious alliance beyond ordinary loyalties.
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Teamwork
A wave of new recruits tests and expands the Joe team, emphasizing the value of diverse skills—Jinx’s stealth, Tunnel Rat’s EOD expertise, Big Lob’s athleticism, and Falcon’s leadership growth. The Renegades’ training sequences and Falcon’s mentorship arc highlight loyalty, duty, and overcoming personal flaws. Endurance and cooperation become the key to penetrating Cobra-La and reclaiming the BET. The climactic rescue and joint assault prove that united effort outmatches solitary ambition.

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Discover the spoiler-free summary of G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a world where cutting‑edge military technology coexists with forgotten myths, the elite G.I. Joe task force uncovers a startling secret buried beneath the earth’s surface: a hidden civilization of serpentine beings known as Cobra‑La. These ancient snake‑people, banished millennia ago, have resurfaced with a fierce resolve to reclaim the planet they once ruled. The mere hint of their return casts a shadow over the modern battlefield, turning routine missions into a race against an enigmatic, other‑worldly threat.
At the heart of the story stands Duke, the seasoned field commander whose steadiness anchors the team. Beside him, General Hawk provides strategic oversight, while Roadblock brings unflinching firepower and relentless optimism. Fresh blood arrives in the form of the daring rookie Jinx, whose agility and quick wit add a new edge, and Lt. Falcon, a reckless half‑brother whose impulsive nature both challenges and inspires his comrades. The gritty veteran Sgt. Slaughter offers hardened experience, rounding out a squad that balances seasoned leadership with raw, hungry talent.
The film’s tone merges high‑octane action with a lingering sense of ancient intrigue. Brilliantly choreographed set pieces showcase the Joes’ cutting‑edge gear against the eerie, Lovecraftian architecture of Cobra‑La’s underground realm, hinting at a clash between human ingenuity and primordial power. Atmospheric lighting and a pulse‑pounding score amplify the looming danger while underscoring the personal stakes each soldier carries—family, loyalty, and the burden of being humanity’s last line of defense.
As the hidden empire’s reverberations ripple through global consciousness, the Joes must grapple with questions of heritage, sacrifice, and the price of protecting a world that knows little of its own buried past. The film teases a volatile showdown, inviting audiences to wonder how the modern elite will adapt when confronted with a mythic enemy that blurs the line between science fiction and legend.
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