An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

Year: 1999

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry Latham

FamilyAnimationAdventureMysteryFantasy

Fievel Mousekewitz and his friends follow clues through New York City to confront a fearsome, mouse‑snatching monster that has terrified the rodent community in a charming, full‑length adventure. Partnering with a reporter, they chase the story of the century, hoping to finally face the monster as their pursuit leads through streets and hideaways.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Manhattan, Central Park, the beach

Set in New York City, the story unfolds across bustling streets, a busy newspaper office, and the murky sewers beneath Manhattan. Central Park serves as a key meeting ground for the dog council, and the holes that appear in buildings lead to hidden cat lairs. The city backdrop amplifies the stakes as rumors spread and the Mousekewitz family fights to uncover the truth.

🗽 Urban 🏙️ City life 🌃 Night city

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:12

Main Characters – An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)

Meet the key characters of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fievel Mousekewitz (Thomas Dekker)

An anxious yet brave young mouse who battles insomnia as he fears a night monster. He analyzes witness testimonies and sketches interpretations that help uncover the truth. His determination to protect his family drives the investigation.

🎯 Determined 🐭 Protagonist 🧠 Insightful

Tanya Mousekewitz (Lacey Chabert)

Fievel's sister, resourceful and supportive. She encourages Fievel to pursue Nellie's story and helps coordinate the investigation. She stands as a practical, caring bridge between the family and the newsroom.

🤝 Supportive 🧭 Resourceful 🧠 Observant

Nellie Brie (Susan Boyd)

An ambitious reporter who wants to make a mark but struggles with menial assignments. She becomes a catalyst for investigating the mysterious disappearances and brings the Mousekewitzs into the newsroom plot. Her career ambitions collide with Reed's manipulations.

🗞️ Ambitious 🔎 Curious 🧭 Reporter

Reed Daley (Robert Hays)

The newspaper editor who fabricates a perceived monster to boost sales. He uses fear as a tool to control the narrative and pressures Nellie to push a sensational story. His actions trigger the investigation and push the heroes toward the truth.

💼 Cunning 🗞️ Manipulative 🗺️ Power-seeking

Madame Mousey (Candi Milo)

A suspicious fortune teller who moves among the mice. She appears at crime scenes claiming to provide clues, creating a sense of mystery. She is recruited by the dog council as part of the mystery's red herrings or potential mastermind.

🔮 Mysterious 🗡️ Suspicious 👀 Fortuneteller

Tony Toponi (Pat Musick)

A lively friend of the Mousekewitz family who helps with the case. He informs the family about the dog council's decision and supports the investigation with practical help. His loyalty keeps the group cohesive.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Loyal 🗺️ Helpful 🗞️ Media-savvy

Papa Mousekewitz (Nehemiah Persoff)

The protective father who provides guidance and strength to the family. He supports the kids as they pursue the truth and deals with fears about the danger in the night. His wisdom helps steer the family through the city's perils.

🛡️ Protective 🧠 Wise 👨‍👧 Family-focused

Mama Mousekewitz (Jane Singer)

The maternal anchor of the family who comforts Fievel and guides them toward what is right. She senses the emotional stakes of the investigation and reinforces familial bonds. Her warmth provides resilience during the trials.

❤️ Maternal 💪 Resilient 👩‍👧 Family-first

Tiger (Dom DeLuise)

A loyal, imposing friend who serves as a protector of the Mousekewitz family. His presence during the newsroom chase and the sewers chase shows his steadfast companionship. He embodies warmth and courage.

🦁 Loyal 🛡️ Protective 🤝 Friendly

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:12

Major Themes – An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)

Explore the central themes of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗞️ Truth vs Sensationalism

Reed Daley manufactures a fearsome 'night monster' to boost sales, showing how headlines can distort reality. Nellie Brie aims to report honestly but winds up entangled in editorial pressures. The film questions the ethics of sensational journalism and what happens when truth is sacrificed for circulation. The heroes seek to restore trust by revealing the real story behind the disappearances.

😨 Fear and Nightmares

Fievel's nightmares about a fiery, mechanical monster reflect his anxieties and the wider city-wide fear. The fear becomes contagious, shaping decisions and driving people toward suspicion. The monster's flashy imagery and the threat to the newsroom intensify the tension. Courage and curiosity gradually push characters to confront the danger and seek the truth.

🕵️ Investigation and Friendship

A coalition of mice, dogs, and kids investigates the disappearances, uncovering a hidden network of abductions and a mastermind among the Outlaw Cats. Madame Mousey and the dog council contribute red herrings that test the team, but cooperation prevails. The story emphasizes teamwork, trust, and the power of collective effort to outsmart deceit. In the end, truth and friendship triumph over fear.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:12

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

Don't stop at just watching — explore An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Summary

Read a complete plot summary of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Summary

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Timeline

Track the full timeline of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Timeline

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster Spoiler-Free Summary

More About An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

Similar Movies to An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster

Discover movies like An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.