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America: The Motion Picture (2021) movie poster

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America: The Motion Picture (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 98 min · English
Echo score 38
JustWatch #21,714 10
Directed by
Matt Thompson
Starring
Jason Mantzoukas, Simon Pegg, Olivia Munn, Channing Tatum, Judy Greer, Will Forte

This irreverent animated adventure follows a unique team of historical figures as they fight to determine the course of the American Revolution. Led by a chainsaw-wielding George Washington, the ragtag group includes beer-loving Sam Adams, brilliant Thomas Edison, skilled horseman Paul Revere, and a furious Geronimo. They must confront Benedict Arnold and King James in a chaotic battle to shape the nation's destiny.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like America: The Motion Picture
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch America: The Motion Picture (2021)

Where can you watch America: The Motion Picture? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

America: The Motion Picture Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of America: The Motion Picture (2021) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Benedict Arnold's Betrayal

    In January 1776, shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Benedict Arnold orchestrates a betrayal against his fellow patriots. This treacherous act leads to the death of many innocent people at the hands of the British, setting the stage for chaos.

    When
    January 1776
  2. Confrontation at Ford's Theater

    Arnold's plot thickens as he confronts George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater. During a play, Abe's complaints about high ticket prices provide an odd moment of tension before the chaotic events unfold.

    Where
    Ford's Theater
  3. Lincoln's Tragic Fate

    In a shocking turn of events, Arnold transforms into a werewolf and violently destroys the signed Declaration of Independence. He then fatally attacks Lincoln, who in his final moments urges Washington to commit to the future of America.

    Where
    Ford's Theater
  4. Washington's Resistance

    Despite narrowly escaping death, Washington retaliates against Arnold's brutality with chainsaws. However, Arnold manages to evade capture, revealing his cunning and treachery, leaving Washington in a state of frustration.

  5. Lincoln's Funeral

    At Lincoln's somber funeral, Washington meets Martha Dandridge, who encourages him to continue fighting for the revolution. Their encounter inspires Washington, rekindling a sense of purpose.

  6. Gathering Allies

    Washington teams up with Samuel Adams and a diverse group of allies, including Thomas Edison, Geronimo, and Paul Revere. Together, they form an eclectic team to take on Arnold's sinister plot.

  7. Confrontation in Vietnam

    The group tracks Arnold down to a vibrant bar in Vietnam, where they engage in a tense confrontation. In a moment of desperation, Geronimo sacrifices his arm to prevent turning into a werewolf after being bitten by Arnold.

    Where
    Vietnam
  8. The Jet Ski Escape

    As Arnold makes a swift getaway on a Jet Ski through the Boston River, Washington grapples with feelings of defeat. However, Martha encourages him, reigniting his determination to fight back.

    Where
    Boston River
  9. Forging the Silver Bullet

    To combat Arnold, the group enlists the help of master blacksmith John Henry to forge a silver bullet. Their quest brings them aboard the Titanic to secure silver spoons needed for the weapon.

    Where
    Titanic
  10. Titanic Disaster

    Their heist takes an unexpected turn when the Titanic tragically sinks, complicating their plans. They concoct a cover story about an iceberg collision, but their mission is derailed amidst the chaos.

    Where
    Titanic
  11. Arnold's New Scheme

    Arnold captures Martha, who becomes a pawn in his schemes alongside King James. Washington learns of their plans and prepares to set a trap to capture Arnold and thwart his war machine.

    Where
    Gettysburg
  12. Clyde's Sacrifice

    In a climactic moment, Clyde sacrifices himself to prevent Arnold from unleashing a devastating explosion. This act of bravery underscores the stakes at hand as Washington rallies his forces.

    Where
    Gettysburg
  13. Climactic Battle

    The battle escalates as Washington's hastily formed army clashes with a supernatural British force led by a holographic King James. Fantastical elements turn the battlefield into a chaotic scene of mayhem.

  14. Defeating Arnold

    As Arnold transforms into a Mega Wolf, the tide turns when Edison creatively repurposes tea rain into a wave of beer. This brilliant tactic causes an identity crisis among the British ranks, undermining Arnold's power.

  15. Commemorating America

    Months later, Washington holds a celebration on July 4, 1776, to commemorate America's founding. However, the event erupts in chaos as serious societal issues ignite heated debates among the crowd.

    When
    July 4, 1776

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:17

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Timeline questions answered

America: The Motion Picture Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of America: The Motion Picture (2021): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Benedict Arnold become a werewolf?

Benedict Arnold transforms into a werewolf during the confrontation at Ford's Theater. This supernatural transformation is part of the film's absurdist humor, Arnold morphs into the creature and violently tears apart the signed Declaration of Independence before attacking Abraham Lincoln.

  • benedict arnold
  • werewolf
  • transformation
  • ford's theater
Q2

How does Abraham Lincoln die in the movie?

Lincoln is fatally attacked by Benedict Arnold at Ford's Theater after Arnold transforms into a werewolf. In his final moments before dying, Lincoln urges George Washington to end the American Revolutionary War and to honor the nation as 'America.'

  • abraham lincoln
  • death
  • werewolf
  • ford's theater
  • benedict arnold
Q3

Why does George Washington use chainsaws?

After narrowly escaping death at Ford's Theater, Washington retaliates against Arnold's brutality by wielding chainsaws. This anachronistic weapon choice embodies the film's irreverent tone, turning the founding father into a chainsaw-wielding action hero.

  • george washington
  • chainsaws
  • weapon
  • revenge
Q4

Why does Geronimo cut off his own arm?

During the confrontation at a bar in Vietnam, Arnold bites Geronimo. To prevent himself from transforming into a werewolf like Arnold, Geronimo must sever his own arm. This desperate act showcases the extreme measures the team takes to stop Arnold's curse from spreading.

  • geronimo
  • amputation
  • arm
  • bite
  • werewolf
  • vietnam
Q5

Why do they need silver spoons from the Titanic?

The team recruits John Henry, a master blacksmith, to forge a silver bullet capable of killing the werewolf Benedict Arnold. They journey to the Titanic to steal silver spoons from the ship to provide the necessary silver for crafting the bullet.

  • titanic
  • silver spoons
  • silver bullet
  • john henry
  • arnold
Q6

How does the tea rain turn into beer?

During the climactic battle, Thomas Edison repurposes the British weaponry that was creating tea rain. She ingeniously modifies the technology to transform the tea rain into a massive wave of beer, causing the British soldiers to have an 'identity crisis' as they renounce their British ties and embrace being American.

  • tea rain
  • beer
  • thomas edison
  • british army
  • identity crisis
  • battle
Q7

Why do the British soldiers have an identity crisis?

When Edison transforms the British tea rain into beer, the British soldiers experience an identity crisis. The beer causes them to renounce their loyalty to Britain and declare themselves Americans, effectively turning the tide of battle by undermining Arnold's control over his forces.

  • british soldiers
  • identity crisis
  • beer
  • american
  • edison
Q8

What happens to Clyde the horse at Gettysburg?

Clyde, Paul Revere's horse, sacrifices himself at Gettysburg to prevent Benedict Arnold from detonating an explosive device. The horse's act of bravery stops Arnold's war machine and gives Washington's forces a chance to mount their final assault.

  • clyde
  • horse
  • sacrifice
  • gettysburg
  • explosion
  • arnold
Q9

Why does the July 4th celebration turn into chaos?

During Washington's July 4th celebration, the crowd erupts into a heated debate over modern issues like racism, women's rights, and LGBTQ rights. The chaotic ending suggests the founding of America was both a triumph and the beginning of endless unresolved societal conflicts, reflecting the film's satirical take on American history.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lincoln urged Washington to honor the nation as America, setting up the theme that America would always struggle with its founding ideals.

  • july 4th
  • celebration
  • chaos
  • debate
  • washington
  • racism
  • rights
Q10

Why does King James team up with Benedict Arnold?

King James (played by Simon Pegg) partners with Benedict Arnold to build a war machine designed to destroy the American rebellion. Arnold captures Martha Dandridge, who has caught the King's eye, using her as a pawn in their sinister plot to obliterate the revolution.

  • king james
  • benedict arnold
  • alliance
  • war machine
  • martha
  • capture

Movie threads

More Movies Like America: The Motion Picture, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes America: The Motion Picture tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Anarchic historical comedies like America: The Motion Picture

Stories that gleefully rewrite history with anachronistic energy and absurd action. If you enjoyed the chaotic historical parody of America: The Motion Picture, you'll love these movies. This collection features irreverent comedies and animated adventures that boldly rewrite history with absurdity, anachronisms, and high-energy action, perfect for fans of satirical and silly takes on the past.

  • irreverent
  • anachronistic
  • satirical
  • chaotic
  • silly
  • action-packed
  • Tone: whimsical, satirical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically involves a well-known historical event or group of figures, but the plot is hijacked by absurd premises, modern technology, or fantasy elements. The story is a linear quest or conflict, often serving as a loose framework for a rapid-fire series of comedic set pieces, satirical jabs, and anachronistic gags.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to historical satire through chaos. They prioritize irreverent humor, fast-paced action, and a playful disregard for chronology, creating a unique vibe where the joy of absurd revisionism is the main appeal.

Movies with ragtag superhero teams like America: The Motion Picture

A group of eccentric misfits must unite for a chaotic, high-stakes mission. Fans of the found-family team dynamic in America: The Motion Picture will enjoy these films. Discover action-packed comedies and animated adventures where a group of quirky, powerful misfits must overcome their differences and work together in a fast-paced, humorous, and chaotic battle against a common enemy.

  • found family
  • action-packed
  • team dynamics
  • quirky characters
  • chaotic
  • humorous
  • Tone: whimsical, light
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot follows a standard 'assemble the team' structure, where a leader gathers a collection of unique specialists or oddballs. The narrative journey is as much about the team bickering, bonding, and learning to cooperate as it is about the external threat they face, culminating in a large-scale, chaotic final confrontation.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their core premise of a found-family team of exaggerrated characters. They share a light emotional weight, a focus on comedic banter and action set pieces, and a vibe that celebrates chaotic teamwork over serious drama.

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Every angle

America: The Motion Picture (2021) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about America: The Motion Picture in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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