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Babe: Pig in the City (1998) movie poster

Timeline

Babe: Pig in the City (1998) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1998 · 97 min · English
Directed by
George Miller
Starring
Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Daily, Magda Szubanski
Budget
$90M

To repay a debt incurred through his helpful nature, the endearing piglet Babe is sent from the farm to the bustling city. There, he must demonstrate his unusual herding abilities and navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Along the way, he encounters a diverse cast of characters and overcomes various challenges in this heartwarming adventure.

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 Babe: Pig in the City
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Where can you watch Babe: Pig in the City? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Babe: Pig in the City Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Babe: Pig in the City (1998) 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. Arthur's Accident

    Farmer Arthur Hoggett is injured in an accident while attempting to repair the farm's well with Babe. This injury leaves his wife, Esme, alone to manage the farm, creating a sense of urgency and pressure as they face eviction.

    When
    A few weeks after the first film
    Where
    Hoggett Farm
  2. Esme's Dilemma

    Faced with the threat of eviction due to unpaid mortgage payments, Esme decides to take Babe to a sheepdog herding contest. She hopes that the prize money will be sufficient to save their home from foreclosure, demonstrating her determination.

  3. Snoop's Mistake

    In Metropolis, the overly enthusiastic beagle Snoop mistakenly alerts authorities that he and Esme are carrying drugs at the airport. This blunder results in them missing their flight and delays their return home by several days.

    Where
    Metropolis Airport
  4. Finding Refuge

    Esme and Babe have difficulties finding pet-friendly accommodations after their airport mishap. Eventually, they find shelter at the Flealands Hotel, warmly managed by Miss Floom, who welcomes stray animals.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  5. Encounter with Chimpanzees

    At the hotel, Babe is unexpectedly separated from Esme and meets a group of mischievous chimpanzees, including Bob and his relatives. Despite his initial reluctance, he is drawn into their clown act as he sees it as a chance to earn money for the farm.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  6. Start of Chaos

    Babe's involvement in the clown act leads to a series of comedic mishaps, ultimately proving unsuccessful in earning money. Meanwhile, Esme believes Babe has gone missing, escalating her worries as she begins searching for him.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  7. Esme's Arrest

    During her search for Babe, Esme encounters a misunderstanding involving local police and a motorcycle gang. This unfortunate turn of events leads to her arrest, compounding the troubles of her already stressful situation.

    Where
    Metropolis
  8. Fugly's Mishap

    The next morning brings chaos as Fugly, Miss Floom's aging uncle, ends up hospitalized after overeating. With Fugly in distress, the other animals at the hotel face hunger, spurring the chimpanzees to plot a food heist.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  9. The Heist Plan

    Babe is ingeniously utilized as a decoy in the chimpanzees' plan to steal food from a nearby store. In a surprising turn, he ends up saving one of the guard dogs, which leads to a newfound friendship and protection.

    Where
    Nearby Store
  10. Ferdinand's Arrival

    Babe's best friend Ferdinand arrives joyfully at the hotel, marking a sweet reunion following the birth of Zootie's twins. Unfortunately, their happiness is cut short when animal control officers raid the hotel, capturing many animals.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  11. The Rescue Mission

    In the aftermath of the raid, Babe, Ferdinand, and two other animals devise a plan to infiltrate the animal control facility to rescue their captured friends. This daring mission highlights their bravery and loyalty to their companions.

    Where
    Animal Control Facility
  12. Esme's Return

    Esme returns to the now-chaotic hotel and finds Miss Floom mourning her uncle's passing and the loss of the animals. Instead of succumbing to despair, they rally together to confront the local neighbor who alerted animal control.

    Where
    Flealands Hotel
  13. The Heartwarming Reunion

    Esme and Miss Floom trace the captured animals to a charity dinner, leading to an emotional reunion with their friends. This moment underscores the theme of community and the bonds formed during adversity.

    Where
    Charity Dinner
  14. New Beginnings

    Miss Floom resolves to sell the Flealands Hotel, using the proceeds to assist Esme in saving her farm. This decision reflects her commitment to supporting her friends and the future of the Hoggett family.

  15. A Final Bond

    As Arthur Hoggett finally fixes the water pump upon Esme's return, he affectionately commends Babe, saying, 'That'll do, Pig. That'll do.' This signifies a heartfelt bond between them and the resilience they've shown through their challenges.

    Where
    Hoggett Farm

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 11:47

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Timeline questions answered

Babe: Pig in the City Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Babe: Pig in the City (1998): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Esme take Babe to the city?

Esme took Babe to the city because the farm faced eviction due to unpaid mortgage payments. With Arthur injured and unable to work, Esme was desperate to find money quickly. She decided to enter Babe in a sheepdog herding contest, hoping the prize money would be enough to save their home from foreclosure.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the first film, Babe demonstrated his unusual ability to herd sheep, which gave Esme confidence he could win the competition.

  • esme
  • eviction
  • mortgage
  • sheepdog contest
  • farm
Q2

What happened with Snoop at the airport?

Snoop, an overly enthusiastic beagle at the airport, mistakenly signaled to authorities that Esme was transporting drugs. This false alert caused Esme and Babe to miss their flight entirely, forcing them to stay in Metropolis for several extra days until they could book another flight home.

  • snoop
  • airport
  • drugs
  • missed flight
  • beagle
Q3

Why did Babe join the chimpanzees' clown act?

Babe joined the chimpanzees' clown act because he believed it could earn money for the farm. Even though he was initially hesitant about performing, his primary motivation was helping Esme save their home from eviction, so he saw the act as an opportunity to contribute financially.

Foreshadowing: Babe's helpful nature was established in the first film, where he constantly tried to assist the Hoggetts in various ways.

  • babe
  • chimpanzees
  • clown act
  • money
  • farm
Q4

Why was Esme arrested in the city?

Esme was arrested during her search for Babe when she became caught up in a misunderstanding involving local police and a motorcycle gang. While looking for her missing pig, she was mistakenly implicated in the situation, leading to her detention.

  • esme
  • arrested
  • motorcycle gang
  • police
  • missing babe
Q5

What happened to Fugly at the hotel?

Fugly, Miss Floom's aging uncle, was hospitalized after bingeing on food. His overeating caused serious health problems, leaving him in distress at the hospital. This incident left the other animals at the hotel without their caretaker and facing hunger.

  • fugly
  • hospitalized
  • overeating
  • miss floom
  • hotel
Q6

How did Babe become friends with the guard dog?

During the chimpanzees' food heist, Babe was used as a decoy to distract the guard dogs. However, when one of the guard dogs was in danger, Babe saved him instead of following the plan. This act of kindness earned the dog's loyalty, and he became Babe's protective bodyguard.

  • babe
  • guard dog
  • heist
  • friendship
  • decoy
Q7

Why did animal control raid the Flealands Hotel?

Animal control officers raided the Flealands Hotel after being alerted by Hortense, the Flooms' hostile neighbor. She had reported the hotel for housing stray animals, leading to the capture of most of the animals staying there.

  • animal control
  • raid
  • hortense
  • hotel
  • captured animals
Q8

How did Babe and the other animals rescue their friends?

Babe, Ferdinand, Tug the capuchin, and Flealick the disabled Jack Russell Terrier devised a plan to infiltrate the animal control facility. They successfully broke in and rescued all their captured friends, demonstrating remarkable bravery and teamwork.

Foreshadowing: The bonds between the animals were established earlier when they helped each other survive at the hotel.

  • babe
  • rescue mission
  • animal control
  • ferdinand
  • tug
  • flealick
Q9

Why did Miss Floom decide to sell her hotel?

After seeing how the animals had formed a community and helped each other through their troubles, and wanting to help her friends, Miss Floom decided to sell the Flealands Hotel. She used the proceeds to assist Esme in paying off the mortgage and saving the Hoggett farm.

  • miss floom
  • sell hotel
  • proceeds
  • esme
  • farm
Q10

How was Esme able to save the farm?

Esme was able to save the farm through the combined help from Miss Floom. After the emotional reunion with the rescued animals at the charity dinner, Miss Floom sold her hotel and gave the money to Esme, enabling her to pay off the mortgage and keep the farm.

  • esme
  • save farm
  • miss floom
  • mortgage
  • charity dinner
Q11

What did Arthur finally fix when Esme returned?

When Esme returned from the city, Arthur had finally completed the repair on the water pump that he and Babe had been working on before his accident. This simple act represented his recovery and the return of normal life to the farm.

Foreshadowing: Arthur's accident occurred while attempting to repair the well with Babe at the beginning of the movie.

  • arthur
  • water pump
  • repair
  • farm
  • hoggett

Movie threads

More Movies Like Babe: Pig in the City, by Mood & Story

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

Gentle Souls in a Chaotic World like Babe: Pig in the City

A kind-hearted protagonist navigates a bewildering and overwhelming urban environment. If you enjoyed watching Babe navigate the bustling city, you'll like these movies featuring innocent characters in overwhelming settings. Discover similar family-friendly adventures and heartwarming stories of kindness persevering in a chaotic world.

  • heartwarming
  • whimsical
  • anxious
  • uplifting
  • fish-out-of-water
  • kindness
  • Tone: hopeful, whimsical
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a fish-out-of-water structure, where the protagonist's core values of kindness and cooperation are tested by a harsh or confusing environment. The central conflict is often between innocence and cynicism, with the protagonist's pure-hearted actions slowly winning over skeptical characters and overcoming obstacles not through force, but through compassion.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emotional core: the contrast between a gentle protagonist and a chaotic setting. They deliver a hopeful, uplifting experience by showing that goodness can triumph in unexpected places, blending light anxiety with a strong sense of heartwarming resolution.

Whimsical Animal-Led Adventures like Babe: Pig in the City

Animal protagonists embark on a dangerous but hopeful mission to save their home. Fans of Babe: Pig in the City's animal adventure will enjoy these movies. Explore similar stories featuring brave animal protagonists on rescue missions, overcoming adversity with friendship, and starring in uplifting, family-friendly films with a touch of exciting peril.

  • adventurous
  • heartwarming
  • animal peril
  • rescue mission
  • found family
  • uplifting
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is typically driven by a clear, urgent goal, such as a rescue or saving a home, which forces the animal heroes to venture into unfamiliar territory. The journey is structured as a series of episodic challenges, each introducing new characters and obstacles. The narrative successfully blends a sense of high stakes for the characters with an overall tone that ensures the viewer feels secure in a positive outcome.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films that share a unique blend of animal-centric perspective, adventurous plot, and a tone that mixes whimsy with moments of genuine tension. They offer a specific kind of emotional ride: anxious enough to be exciting, but fundamentally safe, hopeful, and heartwarming.

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Every angle

Babe: Pig in the City (1998) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Babe: Pig in the City 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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