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Brewster's Millions (1985) movie poster

Timeline

Brewster's Millions (1985) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1985 · 102 min · English
JustWatch #1,615 2
Directed by
Walter Hill
Starring
Pat Hingle, Hume Cronyn, Lonette McKee, Stephen Collins, Richard Pryor, Tovah Feldshuh

Montgomery Brewster unexpectedly inherits $30 million, but there's a catch. He must spend the entire sum in just 30 days without donating to charity or accumulating any new assets. To claim his inheritance, he embarks on a chaotic and hilarious spending spree, aided by the pragmatic Angela Drake. Their efforts to navigate the rules and avoid suspicion lead to a series of comical misadventures and unexpected consequences.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Brewster's Millions
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Brewster's Millions (1985)

Where can you watch Brewster's Millions? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and YouTube TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Brewster's Millions Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Brewster's Millions (1985) 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. Monty's Routine

    Montgomery 'Monty' Brewster, an ordinary pitcher for the Hackensack Bulls minor league baseball team, leads a simple life. His days are mostly spent on the field, showcasing his lackluster skills and dreaming of a better future.

    Where
    Hackensack Bulls Stadium
  2. The Bar Incident

    After a victorious game, Monty and his friend Spike Nolan enjoy a night out at a local bar. Their flirting with two women leads to a chaotic bar brawl when the women's husbands show up, resulting in the duo ending up in jail.

    Where
    Local Bar
  3. Facing the Judge

    In court, Monty tries to explain the brawl, but his efforts fall flat as the judge remains unimpressed. The situation worsens when they are informed that they would be expelled from the baseball team as a consequence.

    Where
    Courtroom
  4. Bail Out

    As they sit in jail, Monty and Spike are unexpectedly offered a chance at freedom. Photographer J.B. Donaldo proposes to bail them out, but in exchange, Monty must plead guilty, leading to a strange twist of fate.

    Where
    Jail
  5. The Inheritance Revelation

    Upon arriving in New York City, Monty learns about his great-uncle Rupert Horn's unexpected passing. The inheritance he discovers comes with a unique stipulation: he must spend $30 million in 30 days to secure a much larger fortune.

    Where
    New York City
  6. The Dilemma

    As Monty contemplates his newfound wealth, he faces a critical decision. He can either take a guaranteed payout of $1 million or face the daunting task of spending an outrageous sum in a limited time frame.

  7. The Spending Spree Begins

    Ultimately, Monty chooses to accept the challenge of spending the money. He embarks on a whirlwind spree, renting luxurious penthouses, dining at extravagant restaurants, and making wild purchases while trying to navigate the rules of the will.

  8. Meeting Angela Drake

    During his spending spree, Monty encounters Angela Drake, an accountant who is initially skeptical of him. Despite her engagement to another man, their chemistry ignites, leading to a complicated romantic connection.

  9. Legal Troubles

    As Monty splurges recklessly, he faces backlash from the law firm Granville & Baxter, which administers his inheritance. They conspire to thwart his spending efforts and maintain control over the fortune.

  10. Concerns from Friends

    Monty's friends grow increasingly worried about his lavish lifestyle and the consequences of his spending habits. They attempt to rein him in, encouraging him to reconsider his reckless approach to his inheritance.

  11. Choosing Politics

    As the deadline approaches and Monty realizes he is falling behind, he decides to enter the mayoral race. Utilizing his wealth, he crafts a cheeky campaign with the slogan 'None of the Above,' stirring up a series of comedic events.

  12. Election Chaos

    Monty's campaign takes a wild turn as his antics generate both laughter and uproar among the public. The election spiral creates chaos, leading to unexpected legal troubles and mounting pressure as the deadline looms.

  13. Meeting Warren

    Amid his chaotic election campaign, Monty confronts Angela's fiancée, Warren, whose manipulative scheme further complicates Monty's already tumultuous journey. This confrontation creates a deeper emotional conflict for Monty.

  14. The Race Against Time

    As the final deadline approaches, Monty frantically scrambles to fulfill the terms of his inheritance. The pressure of the ticking clock and the scheming surroundings heightens the stakes as his future hangs in the balance.

  15. Claiming The Fortune

    In a thrilling climax, Monty manages to satisfy the final conditions of the will just in time. Not only does he secure his fortune, but he also finds love with Angela, leading to a joyful conclusion of his remarkable journey.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:01

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Timeline questions answered

Brewster's Millions Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Brewster's Millions (1985): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Monty have to spend $30 million in 30 days?

Monty's great-uncle Rupert Horn leaves him an unusual inheritance. Monty can either take a guaranteed $1 million payout or attempt to spend $30 million within 30 days to claim the full $300 million fortune. The will specifically requires him to spend the money on tangible items that don't appreciate in value, and he must keep the terms secret.

  • inheritance
  • rupert horn
  • 30 million
  • 30 days
  • conditions
  • will
Q2

What are the conditions of the will in Brewster's Millions?

The will requires Monty to spend exactly $30 million in 30 days without accumulating assets that appreciate in value. He cannot donate to charity, and he must keep the terms of the will secret. Only by meeting these strict conditions does he become eligible to receive the full $300 million inheritance.

  • will
  • conditions
  • spending rules
  • inheritance
  • charity
  • assets
Q3

How does Monty manage to spend all the money in time?

Monty goes on an extravagant spending spree, including renting luxury penthouses, dining at expensive restaurants, and making lavish purchases. As the deadline approaches and he falls short, he enters the mayoral race, using his wealth to fund a campaign with the slogan 'None of the Above' as a strategy to spend the remaining money.

  • spending spree
  • mayoral race
  • campaign
  • deadline
  • extravagant purchases
Q4

Who is Rupert Horn and why does he leave Monty the inheritance?

Rupert Horn is Monty's great-uncle who passes away before the events of the movie. He leaves Monty the unusual inheritance as a test of character and financial sense. The wealthy eccentric designed the challenge to see if Monty could handle a fortune responsibly.

  • rupert horn
  • great-uncle
  • family inheritance
  • wealthy uncle
Q5

Why does Angela initially reject Monty?

Angela Drake is an accountant whom Monty meets during his spending spree. She initially rejects his advances because she is already engaged to another man named Warren. Despite her skepticism about Monty's reckless behavior, their chemistry leads to a complicated romantic connection throughout the movie.

  • angela drake
  • rejection
  • engagement
  • warren
  • romance
Q6

Who is Warren and what is his role in the movie?

Warren is Angela Drake's fiancé, who appears in the latter part of the movie. He represents a manipulative element that complicates Monty's relationship with Angela. The confrontation with Warren creates additional emotional conflict for Monty as he navigates both his inheritance challenge and his romantic feelings.

  • warren
  • angela fiance
  • manipulation
  • confrontation
Q7

What happens to the things Monty buys during his spending spree?

The will requires Monty to spend money on tangible items that do not appreciate in value, meaning he cannot buy investments or assets that would increase in worth. The purchases are meant to be consumed or used rather than retained as investments. This rule makes the challenge much harder than simply spending money arbitrarily.

  • tangible items
  • assets
  • spending rules
  • appreciate value
  • purchases
Q8

How does Monty's mayoral campaign help him spend the money?

As the deadline approaches and Monty realizes he's falling short of spending all $30 million, he enters the mayoral race as a strategic move. He funds an extravagant campaign with the slogan 'None of the Above,' using his wealth to cover massive campaign expenses, rally attendance, and promotional materials - all to burn through the remaining money quickly.

  • mayoral campaign
  • none of the above
  • spending strategy
  • election
Q9

Does Monty get the $300 million at the end?

Yes, Monty successfully completes the challenge and claims the full $300 million fortune. In the climax, he fulfills all the conditions of the will just in time. Along with the financial reward, he also finds love with Angela, culminating in a happy ending where he goes from a struggling minor league baseball player to a wealthy millionaire.

  • 300 million
  • fortune
  • ending
  • winner
  • inheritance success
Q10

How does Monty meet Angela Drake?

Monty meets Angela Drake, an accountant, during his extravagant spending spree in New York City. She is initially skeptical of his reckless financial behavior and his advances due to her engagement to Warren. However, their connection deepens as they spend more time together throughout Monty's chaotic month-long challenge.

  • meeting
  • accountant
  • new york
  • spending spree
  • romance
Q11

Why does the law firm try to sabotage Monty's spending?

Granville & Baxter is the law firm administering the inheritance from Rupert Horn. They actively conspire to thwart Monty's spending efforts, likely because they either doubt he'll succeed or perhaps have their own interests in preventing him from claiming the full fortune. Their opposition creates additional obstacles for Monty throughout the movie.

  • granville baxter
  • law firm
  • sabotage
  • inheritance administration
  • obstacles
Q12

Why does Monty get expelled from the Hackensack Bulls?

After winning a game, Monty and his friend Spike Nolan go to a local bar where they flirt with two women. When the women's husbands show up, a chaotic bar brawl ensues. As a result, the coach expels both Monty and Spike from the team. This incident sets in motion the chain of events that leads Monty to New York and ultimately to his inheritance.

  • hackensack bulls
  • expelled
  • brawl
  • jail
  • baseball team

Movie threads

More Movies Like Brewster's Millions, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Brewster's Millions tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Frantic Spending Spree Movies like Brewster's Millions

Characters racing against a clock with a bizarre and hilarious financial constraint. Find more comedies where characters face a ridiculous, time-sensitive money challenge. If you liked the chaotic spending and high-stakes rules of Brewster's Millions, you'll enjoy these similar movies about frantic races against the clock with hilarious financial constraints.

  • frantic
  • uproarious
  • playful
  • chaotic
  • high-stakes
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: light, hilarious
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a clear, high-concept premise with a ticking clock. A protagonist is given a seemingly impossible task, often with strict, farcical rules they must navigate. The story unfolds as a series of escalating, comedic set pieces as the character's unconventional methods attract attention and create chaos, leading to a final triumph.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared core of a comedic high-stakes gamble. They blend a fast pace driven by a deadline, a light tone that avoids serious consequences, and a medium intensity from the suspense of whether the plan will work, resulting in a consistently hilarious and frantic viewing experience.

Whimsical Underdog Comedies like Brewster's Millions

Lighthearted stories of everyday people thrown into absurdly fortunate yet complicated situations. Discover more lighthearted films about everyday people who get a lucky break and must navigate the hilarious consequences. If you enjoyed the playful underdog journey and romantic entanglement in Brewster's Millions, you'll love these similar movies filled with whimsical farce and chaotic good fortune.

  • whimsical
  • playful
  • lighthearted
  • uproarious
  • chaotic
  • underdog
  • Tone: light, whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a sympathetic underdog protagonist who experiences a sudden, dramatic change in fortune. This change, however, comes with complications that drive the comedy. The journey is less about profound personal growth and more about the protagonist navigating a series of absurd, playful situations, often finding love and friendship along the way towards a satisfying, happy conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their core vibe: a light, whimsical, and playful take on the underdog story. They share a fast pace, straightforward narratives, and a focus on hilarious chaos rather than deep drama, creating an uplifting and consistently entertaining feel-good experience.

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Every angle

Brewster's Millions (1985) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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