Logo What's After the Movie

Test your knowledge of Bernie The Dolphin with our quiz!

Bernie The Dolphin Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Bernie The Dolphin (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


The Ryan siblings, Kevin and Holly Ryan, set out on a delightful kayaking trip near St. Augustine, Florida, enjoying the company of playful dolphins. However, their serene outing takes a dramatic turn when they cross paths with Winston Mills, a cunning businessman with ambitious plans for the local cove. Their leisurely adventure comes to an abrupt halt when a boat crash leaves them in peril; fortunately, a courageous dolphin comes to Holly’s rescue, bringing her back from the brink of drowning.

Following their late return, their father, Bob Ryan, grounds both Kevin and Holly for not wearing life vests, but Holly can’t shake the feeling that something is off with one of the dolphins. Their mother, Abby Ryan, takes her children out on their boat, where Holly discovers that one of the dolphins is missing, prompting her and Kevin to plaster the town with missing posters. Their search leads them to Marineland, where they uncover that the dolphin, named Bernie, has been rescued and is currently undergoing treatment.

Simultaneously, Winston Mills discusses his plans with Bob’s superior, Luke Lawson, to construct an ocean park on Bob’s land, sweetening the pot with the promise of a promotion for Bob. Unimpressed with this scheme, Kevin and Holly decide to concentrate their efforts on helping Bernie recover and reunite him with his pod. While filming Bernie’s family in hopes of bringing them back together, they inadvertently overhear a sinister conversation between Winston and Mayor Brock Winters regarding an underhanded plan to steal turtle eggs.

In another scenario, Bob attempts to finalize the ocean park deal with Luke, but his children’s warnings about Winston’s dubious intentions go unheeded. Their family celebration for Bob’s promotion takes a dark turn when they find their filming location suspiciously deserted.

That night, Kevin devises a plan to recover his pilfered camera from Winston. Joined by Holly, they sneak into his office, where they overhear Winston disclosing that their father has unknowingly granted permission for an illegal chemical plant instead of the ocean park. Although Winston catches them red-handed, the siblings manage a narrow escape and encounter Sidney, a friend from Marineland. Winston pursues them furiously, leading to a chaotic moment where he breaks Sidney’s phone.

As Sidney helps bring the children back to safety, Abby offers her technical expertise for repairing the shattered phone, while Bob remains skeptical about the children’s claims. However, Abby and Sidney’s convincing testimonies bring their story to light. The following day, Bob confronts Winston regarding the clandestine chemical plant, receiving a chilling threat in return: Winston will ensure Bob is imprisoned alongside him, thanks to Bob’s own signature on the permits. Frustrated and overwhelmed, Bob decides to resign from his position.

Meanwhile, Abby successfully repairs Sidney’s phone, and Kevin and Holly take it upon themselves to expose the nefarious plans of Winston. As they piece together the truth, including Winston’s intention to acquire Marineland, Bob feels remorse for dismissing their concerns at first. He realizes, however, that their testimonies alone may not suffice for a conviction. Undaunted, Abby suggests they utilize Kevin’s remarkable footage of marine mammals as critical evidence, leading Bob to contact a detective and secure police protection. Consequently, Winston and Mayor Winters face arrest.

In a separate, uplifting thread, Bernie fully recovers from his earlier sunburn and joins the Ryans on a mission to find his family in the ocean. Kevin and Holly share their adventure with the media, revealing their crucial role in unveiling Winston’s and the mayor’s malicious plots. They outline their plans to return Bernie back to the wild where he can reunite with his kin. Ultimately, they manage to locate Bernie’s family on a nearby beach, leading to a heartwarming reunion amid a gathering of intrigued onlookers.

Bernie The Dolphin Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Bernie The Dolphin (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Kayaking Adventure

Kevin and Holly Ryan embark on a kayaking trip near St. Augustine, Florida, enjoying the beauty of nature and the company of friendly dolphins. This trip starts as a delightful outing, showcasing their bond with the marine life around them.

St. Augustine, Florida

Encounter with Winston Mills

Their serene kayaking adventure takes a perilous turn when they cross paths with Winston Mills, a businessman with ambitions to exploit the local cove. This encounter sets the stage for conflict regarding the fate of the area they cherish.

Boat Crash Incident

The situation escalates when a sudden boat crash leaves both Kevin and Holly in a dangerous predicament. Fortunately, a heroic dolphin comes to Holly's aid, saving her from drowning and highlighting the special bond between the siblings and the marine world.

Grounded for Safety

After returning from their misadventure, their father, Bob Ryan, grounds them for not wearing life vests during their kayaking trip. This disciplinary action leads Holly to suspect that something unusual is happening with one of the dolphins.

Search for the Missing Dolphin

Filling the town with missing posters, Kevin and Holly take it upon themselves to locate a dolphin they believe to be in danger. Their determination is fueled when Holly realizes that one of the dolphins they encountered is now missing from its pod.

Discovery at Marineland

Their search leads them to Marineland, where they discover that the dolphin, named Bernie, has been rescued and is currently receiving medical treatment. This revelation strengthens their resolve to help Bernie reunite with his family.

Marineland

Winston Mills' Deception

Winston Mills meets with Bob's superior, Luke Lawson, to discuss plans for constructing an ocean park on Bob's land, which comes with the lure of a promotion. This scheme, however, is shrouded in deceit as the true intentions remain hidden.

Overhearing a Sinister Plot

While filming Bernie's family, Kevin and Holly inadvertently overhear a conversation between Winston and Mayor Brock Winters about a plot to steal turtle eggs. This dangerous revelation puts the children further in conflict with Winston’s shady dealings.

Confrontation Over the Ocean Park

Bob tries to finalize the ocean park deal while ignoring his children's warnings about Winston's true nature. The family's celebration for Bob's promotion turns tense when they discover their intended filming location abandoned and suspicious.

Camera Heist

That night, Kevin hatches a plan to retrieve his stolen camera from Winston's office. The risky endeavor leads to a surprise encounter, where they learn that their father has unwittingly authorized an illegal chemical plant instead of an ocean park.

Escape and Break-in

Caught by Winston, Kevin and Holly narrowly escape his office and find help from Sidney, a friend at Marineland. The ensuing chaos culminates in Winston vandalizing Sidney's phone as the siblings flee for safety.

Explaining the Conspiracy

Back home, Abby repairs Sidney's phone while Bob struggles to believe the children's wild tales about Winston's illegal activities. After convincing testimonies from Abby and Sidney, Bob starts to grasp the severity of the situation.

Confrontation with Winston

The next day, Bob faces Winston, confronting him about the illicit chemical plant plans. In a chilling exchange, Winston threatens Bob with imprisonment due to his signature on the permits, pushing Bob to consider resignation.

Using Evidence

Realizing the stakes, Abby encourages Kevin and Holly to leverage the footage of marine mammals as crucial evidence against Winston. This initiative leads Bob to contact police, ensuring protection against Winston and Mayor Winters.

Reunion with Bernie's Pod

In a heartwarming climax, once Bernie fully recovers, he joins Kevin and Holly as they embark on a mission to find his family. Amid a gathering of onlookers, they finally locate Bernie's family on a nearby beach, paving the way for a joyful reunion.

Bernie The Dolphin Characters

Explore all characters from Bernie The Dolphin (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Holly Ryan (Lola Sultan)

Holly is a spirited and compassionate girl who demonstrates a deep love for marine life. Her determination to rescue Bernie reveals her bravery and sense of responsibility towards animals. Throughout the film, she evolves from a carefree sibling to a proactive advocate for wildlife.

🧒 Young Hero 🐬 Dolphin Lover

Kevin Ryan (Logan Allen)

Kevin is Holly's older brother and takes on a protective role throughout their adventures. His ingenuity and quick-thinking become crucial in their mission to expose the truth behind Winston's plans. His character showcases courage and the importance of family loyalty.

🧒 Supportive Brother 💡 Quick Thinker

Winston Mills (Kevin Sorbo)

Winston Mills serves as the primary antagonist, embodying corporate greed and exploitation of nature. His cunning demeanor and duplicitous actions set the stage for the children's quest against injustice, ultimately leading to his downfall. His character represents the conflict between profit motives and ethical responsibility.

💼 Antagonist ⚠️ Greed

Bob Ryan (Patrick Muldoon)

Bob is the father of the Ryan siblings, initially skeptical of their concerns but later becomes a key ally in their fight. His character arc reflects the struggle between professional ambition and familial loyalty. Ultimately, he learns from his children's bravery.

👨 Father Figure 🌊 Skeptical

Mayor Brock Winters (Stelio Savante)

Mayor Brock Winters is caught in the web of corruption alongside Winston Mills. His character illustrates the complexities of governance and the darker side of political alliances. His decisions contribute to the threats faced by the community.

🏛️ Corrupt Politician ⚖️ Authority

Bernie The Dolphin Settings

Learn where and when Bernie The Dolphin (2018) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern environmental concerns and the importance of wildlife conservation. Themes of community activism and familial bonds are also highlighted throughout their journey.

Location

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is known for its beautiful beaches and rich history, being the oldest city in the U.S. The coastal town is a popular destination for tourists seeking marine activities, particularly dolphin watching. Its vibrant ecosystem supports various wildlife, making it an ideal setting for the film's adventure.

🌊 Coastal Town 🐬 Marine Life

Bernie The Dolphin Themes

Discover the main themes in Bernie The Dolphin (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🐬

Marine Conservation

A central theme is the importance of protecting marine life and habitats. The Ryan siblings actively engage in efforts to rescue and rehabilitate Bernie, a dolphin in distress. Their determination to return him to his family underscores the need for awareness about oceanic ecosystems.

⚖️

Justice vs. Corruption

The tension between the pursuit of justice and corrupt practices is evident as the siblings uncover Winston's underhanded dealings. Their journey reflects the struggle against exploitation for profit and the power of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Bonds

Family is at the heart of the narrative, highlighting the support and solidarity among the Ryan family. Despite initial skepticism, they unite to combat threats to their community, illustrating that togetherness can overcome challenges.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.