Combining hyperchaotic map, cross-plane operation and gene theory, a color image encryption scheme is devised. First, the hyperchaotic map used in the encryption scheme is analyzed and studied. On the basis of the dynamics of hyperchaotic map, a color image encryption scheme is designed. At the end of the encryption process, a DNA mutation operation is used to increase the encoding images’ randomness and improve the encryption algorithm’s security. Finally, simulation experiments, performance analysis, and attack tests are performed to prove its effectiveness and security of the designed algorithm. The research work in this paper offers the possibility of applying chaos theory and gene theory in image encryption.