Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip

The film introduces Alexander Garcia, who believes his family is cursed due to a series of mishaps he may have caused. He lives with his older sister Mia, their mother Val, and their father Frank, whose restaurant is facing foreclosure, unbeknownst to the family.

Val's father, Gil, arrives to watch over their dog Clyde while the family prepares for a road trip funded by Val's work. As they rummage through the attic, Alexander discovers an old Mexican idol linked to a family curse, setting the tone for the unfolding chaos.

Gil shares a story about the idol, explaining that it was passed down from their ancestor Alejandro, who neglected to return it. This oversight reportedly led to a catastrophic fire that destroyed the town of Soledad, emphasizing the family's deep-rooted connection to the curse.

The next day, the family sets off in a state-of-the-art RV, which initially seems like a smooth journey. However, disaster strikes when Alexander accidentally spills soda on the controls, causing the vehicle to malfunction and crash into a large alien statue.

Amid the chaos, Gil hears the crash while talking to Val over the phone. Concerned, he decides to leave Clyde with neighbors and rushes to find his family, unaware of the escalating problems they are facing on the road.

The family is forced to stop at a rental agency and discovers that the idol, accidentally packed, is cursed. They consult the owner, Claudio, who urges the family to return it to Soledad to break the cycle of misfortune.

They rent a rundown travel van only to face another hurdle when a wild skunk attacks, spraying everyone. After a frantic escape, they make an emergency stop at a gas station to regroup and change clothes, but in the chaos, they forget Lidia.

Realizing they left Lidia behind, the family backtracks only to be delayed by a herd of cows, which derails their plans. Eventually, they find themselves caught in a ravine, leading to a dramatic moment where they must swim to safety without the idol.

The family encounters Lupe, who only Alexander can communicate with in Spanish. She takes them back to her home with her husband, Chavo, revealing that they have unintentionally crossed into Mexico, a pivotal moment in their journey.

Gil's parallel journey sees him rescue a stranded Lidia, showcasing their conflicted views on Mexican culture. They bond over their shared experiences, revealing Gil's regrets about never visiting Mexico before.

Chavo and Lupe gift the family an ice cream truck to continue their adventure. In a twist of fate while searching for the idol in the back, the truck rolls down a hill and crashes without destroying the idol, further heightening the family's belief in its power.

The family makes the decision to return the idol to Soledad after spotting a nearby sign. They reunite with Gil and Lidia, eager to confront the myth surrounding the idol and alleviate their perceived curse.

Upon arrival in Soledad, the family is informed by the mayor and museum curators that the town had endured a fire, but it had survived due to finding water. They learn the idol they possessed was merely a prop, not the original, resulting in frustration for Alexander.

Frank and Val comfort Alexander, teaching him that setbacks are part of life. They reflect on the journey they’ve taken as a family and emphasize the importance of their bonds, despite the trials they faced along the way.

The family decides to celebrate their time in Soledad, embracing their future together. Gil and Lidia deepen their relationship, Mia finally asks her crush to prom, and Val finds clarity for her next writing project, showing growth and resolution for all.