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Around the World in 80 Days (2004) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Around the World in 80 Days (2004) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2004 · 120 min · English
JustWatch #19,426 2
Directed by
Frank Coraci
Starring
Jackie Chan, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan
Budget
$110M

A wealthy British inventor wagers he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. Joined by his resourceful valet and a determined French police detective, he embarks on a fast-paced and exciting journey filled with unexpected challenges and colorful characters as they race against the clock across continents.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Around the World in 80 Days
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Where can you watch Around the World in 80 Days? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Around the World in 80 Days Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Around the World in 80 Days (2004), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Lau Xing (Passepartout) - Jackie Chan

    Lau Xing, initially introduced as a common thief, evolves into a loyal companion and warrior. His resourcefulness and martial arts skills play a crucial role in overcoming challenges. Despite his checkered past, Lau embodies courage and determination, ultimately revealing a deeper connection to his heritage.

    • 🥋 Martial Arts
    • 🎩 Loyalty
    • 🌟 Transformation
  • Phileas Fogg - Steve Coogan

    Phileas Fogg is portrayed as an ambitious and determined scientist with a passion for breaking barriers. His character grapples with self-doubt throughout the journey, but he embodies the spirit of innovation. Phileas's commitment to his bet reflects a desire to challenge societal norms and expectations while seeking personal redemption.

    • 🤓 Innovation
    • 🧑‍🔬 Determination
    • 💼 Ambition
  • Lord Kelvin - Jim Broadbent

    Lord Kelvin serves as the primary antagonist, representing traditionalism and the reluctance to embrace progress. His arrogant dismissal of new ideas creates conflict with Fogg. Kelvin's character embodies the obstructionist mindset of those who prioritize power over innovation, making him a foil to Fogg's aspirations.

    • 👑 Antagonist
    • ❌ Traditionalism
    • 📉 Power

Last updated: January 10, 2025 at 12:47

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Setting

Where and When Does Around the World in 80 Days Take Place?

The setting of Around the World in 80 Days (2004): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film is set in a time reminiscent of the late 19th to early 20th century, reflecting a period of rapid innovation and exploration. This era was characterized by advances in science and technology, particularly in aviation. The protagonist's quest embodies the spirit of adventure and the ambitious exploration prevalent during this dynamic time.

Location

London, Paris, Turkey, India, China, San Francisco, New York

The movie traverses multiple iconic locations around the world. London serves as the starting point for the journey, encompassing a mix of historical elegance and modern chaos. Paris is highlighted by its artistic culture, while Turkey introduces an exotic atmosphere intertwined with royal intrigue. Each locale contributes to the adventurous spirit and the visual diversity of the narrative.

  • 🌍 Locations
  • ✈️ Travel

Last updated: January 10, 2025 at 12:47

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3 major themes

Around the World in 80 Days Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Around the World in 80 Days (2004) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Adventure

    At its core, the film is about embarking on an epic journey filled with excitement and unexpected obstacles. The characters traverse diverse cultures and landscapes, showcasing the thrill of exploration. The theme of adventure underscores the importance of daring to dream and the pursuit of knowledge.

  • Betrayal

    The narrative explores the theme of betrayal through the character of Lau Xing, who hides his true identity and harbors a conflicting past. This adds layers of complexity to his relationships with Phileas Fogg and Monique. Betrayal becomes a pivotal element that affects their journey and personal growth.

  • Justice

    Justice plays a significant role as Phileas and his companions face the corrupt schemes of Lord Kelvin and General Fang. The struggle against these antagonists symbolizes a fight for what is right amidst overwhelming odds. The characters' actions highlight their commitment to fairness and the resolution of moral dilemmas.

Last updated: January 10, 2025 at 12:47

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Character & theme questions

Around the World in 80 Days Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Around the World in 80 Days (2004): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What time period is the movie set in?

The movie is set in a period reminiscent of the late 19th to early 20th century, an era defined by rapid innovation and exploration. This was a time of major advances in science and technology, particularly in aviation, which shapes the spirit of the story. The setting reflects the ambitious, boundary-pushing mindset of the historical era that inspired the film.

  • time period
  • victorian era
  • late 1800s
  • early 1900s
  • historical setting
Q2

What countries does Phileas Fogg visit during his journey?

Phileas Fogg visits multiple iconic locations across the world, starting in London before traveling to Paris, Turkey, India, China, San Francisco, and New York. Each destination contributes to the adventure's visual diversity and cultural experience. The journey showcases a mix of historical elegance, artistic culture, exotic atmospheres, and international intrigue.

  • locations
  • travel
  • itinerary
  • countries visited
  • world tour
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three primary themes: adventure, betrayal, and justice. The adventure theme emphasizes the excitement of exploring diverse cultures and landscapes while pursuing dreams. Betrayal appears through Lau Xing's hidden identity and conflicting past, adding complexity to relationships. Justice emerges as the characters fight against corrupt antagonists like Lord Kelvin and General Fang, highlighting the struggle for what is right.

  • themes
  • adventure
  • betrayal
  • justice
  • meaning
Q4

Who is the main villain in the movie?

Lord Kelvin, played by Jim Broadbent, serves as the primary antagonist. He represents traditionalism and a reluctance to embrace progress, often dismissively opposing new ideas. His obstructive mindset prioritizes power over innovation, making him a direct foil to Phileas Fogg's ambitions. Kelvin's schemes create central conflict throughout the journey.

  • lord kelvin
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • main villain
Q5

Who is Passepartout and what is his role in the story?

Lau Xing, portrayed by Jackie Chan and known as Passepartout, starts as a common thief but evolves into a loyal companion and skilled warrior. His resourcefulness and martial arts skills prove crucial in overcoming the journey's many challenges. Despite his checkered past, he ultimately reveals a deeper connection to his heritage and becomes an essential part of Fogg's quest.

  • lau xing
  • passepartout
  • jackie chan
  • valet
  • companion
Q6

What motivates Phileas Fogg throughout the journey?

Phileas Fogg is motivated by a passion for breaking barriers and proving that circumnavigation is possible within 80 days. His desire to challenge societal norms and expectations drives the bet. Throughout the journey, he grapples with self-doubt while seeking personal redemption. His character embodies the spirit of innovation and the pursuit of knowledge.

  • phileas fogg
  • motivation
  • scientist
  • innovation
  • redemption
Q7

How does betrayal factor into the story?

Betrayal plays a pivotal role through Lau Xing, who initially hides his true identity from Phileas Fogg and Monique. His conflicting past creates tension and complexity in his relationships with the other characters. This element of betrayal affects the journey's dynamics and contributes to the characters' personal growth throughout the adventure.

  • betrayal
  • lau xing identity
  • deception
  • hidden past
Q8

What does the movie say about justice?

The film portrays justice as a struggle against corrupt forces, with Phileas and his companions facing the schemes of Lord Kelvin and General Fang. The characters' actions highlight their commitment to fairness and resolving moral dilemmas. The fight against these antagonists symbolizes standing up for what is right despite overwhelming odds, ultimately leading to the villain's exposure and defeat.

  • justice
  • fairness
  • moral dilemma
  • villain defeat
Q9

What kind of world does the movie portray?

The movie portrays a world on the cusp of modernity, where scientific advancement and exploration are highly valued. It captures the excitement of global travel during a transformative era, mixing historical elegance with emerging technology. The setting reflects both the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

  • world setting
  • historical context
  • global travel
  • era
Q10

What is Lord Kelvin's role in the story?

Lord Kelvin serves as the chief obstacle to Phileas Fogg's ambitions, representing the forces of tradition that resist progress. His arrogant opposition to innovation creates direct conflict with Fogg's scientific worldview. As a foil to the protagonist, Kelvin embodies the obstructionist mindset that must be overcome for Fogg to achieve his goals.

  • lord kelvin
  • antagonist
  • traditionalism
  • obstruction

Movie threads

More Movies Like Around the World in 80 Days, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Around the World in 80 Days tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with globe-trotting adventure races like Around the World in 80 Days

High-stakes, fast-paced journeys across continents against a ticking clock. If you enjoyed the frantic pace and international escapades of Around the World in 80 Days, you'll like these movies. They feature high-stakes journeys, eccentric characters met along the way, and a constant push to beat the clock, offering a similar feel of lighthearted, fast-paced excitement.

  • adventurous
  • fast-paced
  • exciting
  • humorous
  • escapist
  • globetrotting
  • Tone: light, adventurous, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is driven by a high-concept premise, typically a bet or a challenge, that forces characters to travel the world at high speed. The plot is a linear sequence of action-packed set pieces in diverse locations, with obstacles solved through wit and improvisation. Character development is secondary to the forward momentum of the race.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core structure of a time-sensitive global quest. They are united by a light, adventurous tone, fast pacing that mirrors the urgency of the journey, and a focus on spectacle, humor, and the sheer fun of seeing characters overcome one improbable challenge after another.

Whimsical steam-punk adventure movies like Around the World in 80 Days

Eccentric inventors and fantastical contraptions in a slightly anachronistic world. Fans of the quirky inventor and fantastical vehicle elements in Around the World in 80 Days will enjoy these films. They share a lighthearted, optimistic tone and a world where anachronistic technology drives the adventure, creating a sense of wonder and humorous spectacle.

  • whimsical
  • inventive
  • quirky
  • optimistic
  • steampunk
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted, optimistic
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative often follows a brilliant but eccentric protagonist who uses their unconventional inventions to achieve an impossible goal or solve a major problem. The conflict is typically less about genuine danger and more about proving a point or winning a bet, resolved through cleverness and resourcefulness in a visually distinctive world.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies based on their unique aesthetic—a blend of historical charm and speculative technology—and their light, whimsical tone. They share a sense of optimistic escapism, where intelligence and creativity triumph, and the world itself is a character full of visual marvels and humorous anachronisms.

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Every angle

Around the World in 80 Days (2004) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Around the World in 80 Days in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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