Big Trouble in Little China

Big Trouble in Little China

Year: 1986

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Director: John Carpenter

ActionAdventureFantasyComedy

In the midst of San Francisco's Chinatown, truck driver Jack Burton finds himself entangled in an otherworldly adventure. When his best friend's fiancée is kidnapped by an ancient Chinese prince and a ruthless crime lord, Jack must navigate a mystical underworld to rescue her and break the curse that keeps them all bound together.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Trace every key event in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Jack and Wang's Mission

Truck driver Jack Burton and his friend Wang Chi arrive at the San Francisco International Airport to pick up Wang's fiancée, Miao Yin. Little do they know, their night is about to take a dark turn.

San Francisco International Airport
2

Miao Yin is Kidnapped

As they wait for Miao Yin, the notorious Lords of Death gang swoops in and kidnaps her for their nefarious purposes. Jack and Wang are determined to rescue her, igniting their perilous adventure.

Chinatown
3

The Chaotic Gang Fight

Jack and Wang chase after the Lords of Death but stumble into a chaotic gang fight in the alleys of Chinatown. The Wing Kong gang disrupts a funeral procession, escalating the violence.

Chinatown alleys
4

The Three Storms Attack

During the alleyway brawl, powerful sorcerers known as The Three Storms—Thunder, Rain, and Lightning—unleash their devastating magic. This results in a bloody slaughter of the Chang Sing gang present.

Chinatown
5

Encounter with Lo Pan

In the fray, Jack accidentally runs over the sinister sorcerer Lo Pan. To everyone's surprise, Lo Pan emerges unharmed with glowing eyes that leave Jack temporarily blinded.

Chinatown
6

Seeking Help

After losing Jack's truck to the Lords of Death, Wang takes Jack to his family's restaurant, The Dragon of the Black Pool. There, they formulate a plan alongside lawyer Gracie Law and local expert Egg Shen.

The Dragon of the Black Pool
7

Infiltrating the Brothel

Donning disguises, Jack and his team infiltrate a brothel suspected to house Miao Yin. Tensions rise when the Storms burst in, capturing Miao Yin before they can extract any information.

Brothel in Chinatown
8

Discovery of the Wing Kong Exchange

Back at Gracie's apartment, the group learns that Miao Yin is being held at the secretive Wing Kong Exchange. This place is a front for Lo Pan's heinous operations and requires immediate action.

Gracie's Apartment
9

Trapped in the Elevator

Jack and Wang venture into the Wing Kong Exchange but find themselves trapped in a water-filled elevator. They manage to escape but encounter Rain, who subjects them to more dangerous trials.

Wing Kong Exchange
10

Confrontation with Lo Pan

They are ultimately brought before Lo Pan, disguised as an old man. He chillingly reveals his twisted motivations, including a 2,000-year-old curse and intentions regarding Miao Yin.

Lo Pan's stronghold
11

Gracie’s Capture

As the tensions heighten, Lo Pan captures Gracie and plans to marry her while sacrificing Miao Yin. Jack and Wang, along with their allies, must act quickly to save both women.

Lo Pan's stronghold
12

The Storms' Assault

Gathering their forces, Jack and Wang rally with Egg Shen and the Chang Sings to storm Lo Pan’s base. They engage in fierce showdowns against the Storms, demonstrating their newfound resolve.

Lo Pan's stronghold
13

Final Showdown with Lo Pan

In a dramatic climax, Jack drives a knife into Lo Pan's head, which triggers an explosive reaction from Thunder. The ensuing chaos gives Jack and his friends a chance to escape.

Lo Pan's stronghold
14

The Aftermath

After Lo Pan's defeat, Jack and his friends reclaim Jack's truck and flee back to safety. With the threat seemingly over, Egg Shen hints at the resilience of evil with his comment about vacationing.

The Dragon of the Black Pool
15

Lingering Threat

As Jack drives off into the sunset, he remains unaware of a hidden stowaway among them, signaling that the battle may not be over. The lingering threat hints at possible future adventures.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:38

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