Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

As the Cooper family drives home in their dilapidated minivan, tensions rise. Alexander is troubled by their misadventures - his brother Trevor is covered in green marker and Anthony is dressed in a blue tuxedo, exacerbating the family's less-than-ideal situation.

The day before, Alexander receives an invitation to the birthday party of Philip Parker, the most popular kid in school. This unfortunate timing ruins Alexander's own birthday plans as it conflicts with the party.

On the morning of his birthday, Alexander discovers gum stuck in his hair and decides to cut it out. As if this wasn’t enough, he must carpool with his crush, Becky, which adds to his anxiety.

Alexander's luck takes a turn for the worse when he trips and falls face-first in front of Becky. To make matters worse, her brother Elliot humiliates him by sending embarrassing photoshopped images of Alexander to the entire school.

Meanwhile, Kelly receives news from her boss Nina that a new children's book is crucial for her promotion to Vice President. This adds to the pressure she feels amidst her chaotic family life.

At school, Alexander faces multiple embarrassing situations, including setting fire to Becky's notebook during science class. Each incident adds to his feeling of being an outcast among his peers.

Back at home, Alexander accidentally destroys Trevor's favorite bumblebee pacifier while washing it. This causes yet another flood of tears from Trevor, leading to more family frustration.

During a family dinner, the Coopers share their successes, but Alexander's recounting of his disastrous day is overshadowed by Trevor's cries. This moment exemplifies Alexander's feeling of misunderstanding within the family.

The following day, the family experiences further conflict, including a flat car battery and a printing error on Kelly’s book. Anthony's disastrous driving test only adds to the family's mounting tension.

In a surprising turn of events, Alexander learns that Philip's party has been canceled due to chicken pox. This opens a hopeful opportunity for Alexander to celebrate his birthday with his classmates.

Excited by the news of the canceled party, Alexander invites Becky to his birthday again, and she responds with a vague 'maybe.' The atmosphere begins to shift as optimism returns to the Cooper household.

The Coopers continue to face more mishaps, including a disastrous dress rehearsal for Emily’s school play and a comically embarrassing dinner at a hibachi restaurant. These moments strengthen their familial bond through shared laughter.

Despite the chaos, Alexander's birthday culminates in an unexpected party featuring an alligator as part of an Australian petting zoo treat. The entire family is surprised and delighted by the turn of events.

Amidst the party celebrations, Alexander's parents also receive good news regarding their professional aspirations. This adds to the joyful atmosphere and provides a sense of balance amidst their earlier struggles.

As the day concludes, Alexander makes a heartfelt birthday wish for more days just like this one, despite all the mayhem. His family's exasperated yet loving response emphasizes their closeness as they come together in laughter.