A Troll in Central Park

A Troll in Central Park

Year: 1994

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Directors: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

AnimationFantasyFamilyScience FictionFairy-tale fantasy and enchanted magic

Believe in yourself—anything is possible! A gentle troll with a magical green thumb accidentally over‑grows a flower for the queen, whose decree insists trolls must be ugly, cruel and frightening. As punishment, he’s banished from his enchanted forest to the concrete jungle of Manhattan, where he must learn to survive as a “proper” troll among humans.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Troll in Central Park (1994)

Trace every key event in A Troll in Central Park (1994) 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

Stanley's magical garden gift

Stanley is a cheerful troll who secretly tends sentient flowers with a magical green thumb. His gift brings a rare joy to the Kingdom of Trolls, but Gnorga hates flowers and fears it could expose him. Stanley keeps his ability hidden to avoid trouble.

Before the exile Kingdom of Trolls
2

Discovery and punishment

Stanley's flowers are discovered by the other trolls, exposing his secret gift. Gnorga wants him turned to stone, but her husband Llort convinces her that banishment is safer than killing him.

When his flowers are exposed Kingdom of Trolls
3

Banishment to New York City

Rather than stone him, Gnorga banishes Stanley to the outside world, sending him to New York City. Llort urges caution, and Stanley finds himself far from home, facing a strange, crowded city.

Soon after the banishment New York City
4

Stanley's exile life begins

Stanley hides in a cave under a bridge in Central Park, afraid of the unfamiliar surroundings. He longs for his garden and learns to survive in this strange metropolis.

Shortly after banishment Central Park, New York City
5

Gus and Rosie sneak to Central Park

Feeling neglected by their busy parents, the siblings sneak away to the park and meet Stanley when he shows off his flowers. Gus distrusts him and tries to force Rosie to come home, triggering a quarrel that makes Rosie cry.

One day while the kids sneak away Central Park
6

Gnorga's plan begins

From her distance, Gnorga sees Stanley with the children and grows furious that he seems happy in exile. She casts a spell on Gus that makes him cry uncontrollably, flooding Stanley's cave with tears. Using his green thumb, Stanley enlarges Gus and Rosie's toy boat, and the trio boards it to escape.

After the meeting in Central Park Kingdom of Trolls (Gnorga's realm) / Central Park
7

Tornado brings Gnorga and Llort to Central Park

Gnorga and Llort travel to Central Park by a tornado, leaving the park in ruins from the devastation. Their arrival marks a new direct threat to Stanley, Gus, and Rosie as they close in on their fugitive hope.

Following Gnorga's discovery of Stanley's happiness Central Park, New York City
8

Rosie is kidnapped

Gnorga attacks as Gus and Rosie consider returning home, and she seizes Rosie to use as leverage. Gus fears losing her and prepares to confront the threat, while the danger closes in.

Shortly after Gnorga's arrival Central Park
9

Gus seeks help; Stanley refuses

Gus returns to Stanley's cave and asks for help, but a frightened Stanley refuses to intervene. Enraged by his friend's cowardice, Gus berates Stanley and leaves with Stanley's flower friends to face Gnorga alone.

After Rosie is kidnapped Stanley's cave
10

Rescue and the battle at the abandoned building

Gus and the flowers locate Rosie in an abandoned building where she is being held. They free her and battle Gnorga and Llort; during the fight, Gnorga transforms Gus into a stone-powered troll.

During the confrontation with Gnorga and Llort Abandoned building near Central Park
11

Stanley's courageous move and transformation

During the battle, Stanley uses his powers to give Gus and Rosie's boat the ability to fly and faces Gnorga in a thumb-wrestling match. He wins the contest, and Gnorga begins to turn into a flower bush before Stanley and the others flee; before fully succumbing, Gnorga manipulates Gus into turning Stanley to stone.

During the climactic fight Abandoned building
12

Petrification, revival, and city in bloom

Stanley is petrified after Gnorga's curse, while Gus and Rosie return home. The next morning, Gus, Rosie, and their parents visit Central Park to place the statue on a pedestal. Gus uses Stanley's green thumb trick to revive him, and Stanley then restores Central Park and covers New York City in flowers.

The next morning Central Park / New York City

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:33

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A Troll in Central Park Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Troll in Central Park

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