Year: 2000
Runtime: 84 min
Language: English
Directors: Nick Park, Peter Lord
Budget: $45M
A charming rooster and a resourceful hen fall in love and plot a daring escape from a British farm. They must use their wits to outsmart the farmer, who plans to turn them into pies. Facing perilous obstacles and clever traps, the pair embarks on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure to find a better life and freedom from the farm's sinister clutches.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Chicken Run 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Chicken Run (2000), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the picturesque countryside of Yorkshire, a group of chickens live under the oppressive regime of the ruthless Mrs Tweedy and her complaisant husband, Mr Tweedy, who ruthlessly eliminate any chicken that fails to produce eggs. Leading the charge for freedom is the determined Ginger, who continually hatches plans for escape, only to be thwarted at every turn. Mr Tweedy begins to suspect the chickens are scheming against them, but his wife remains dismissive of his fears as she grows increasingly frustrated with their meager profits.
One fateful night, as Ginger observes the arrival of an American rooster named Rocky Rhodes, she witnesses him soar over the coop’s fence, though he soon crashes into their yard. The chickens take him in, caring for his injured wing, while they hide him from the Yorkshire couple, who are unaware that Rocky’s owner awaits a reward for his return. Inspired by Rocky’s apparent flying talents, Ginger passionately urges him to teach her and her fellow chickens how to escape by flight, even threatening to expose him if he refuses. Reluctantly, Rocky agrees to give them lessons.
As the plot unfolds, a shipment arrives at the farm—new equipment for a chicken pie-making machine ordered by Mrs Tweedy. The couple’s recent surge in food rations raises Ginger’s suspicions; she realizes the Tweedys plan to fatten them up for slaughter. In the midst of rising tensions, Rocky throws a morale-boosting dance party, which reveals that his wing has healed. However, the following day brings calamity when Mr Tweedy ensnares Ginger in the newly assembled pie machine. Rocky comes to her rescue, sabotaging the machine and buying precious time for the chickens to prepare their escape.
But Ginger is devastated to discover that Rocky has left a piece of a poster indicating he is part of a “chicken cannonball” act, revealing his inability to fly. Just as despair begins to weigh heavily on the group, Ginger finds inspiration in the heartening stories shared by the elderly rooster Fowler about his days in the Royal Air Force. Together, the chickens rally to construct an aircraft, all while Mr Tweedy continues to tinker with the pie-making contraption.
A twist of fate leads Rocky back to the farm, guilt-ridden after spotting a billboard advertising Mrs Tweedy’s chicken pies. As she orders her husband to round up the chickens, they band together, overcoming the odds to finish building their plane with Fowler commandeering the flight. In a gripping sequence, as the plane readies for takeoff, a battle ensues with Mr Tweedy, but Ginger’s quick thinking saves the day. The exhilarating escape culminates with Ginger outsmarting Mrs Tweedy, sending her tumbling into her own explosive creation.
In the aftermath, the chickens emerge triumphant, celebrating their victory over the Tweedys as Ginger and Rocky share a heartfelt kiss. Their new life begins on a serene island bird sanctuary, where their romance blossoms. As the chickens revel in their newfound freedom, Nick and Fetcher, two clever rats who aided them, engage in a humorous debate about starting their egg farm, pondering whether to begin with a chicken or an egg.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 11:28
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Clever heroes race against time to break free from oppressive confines.If you enjoyed the thrilling escape plan in Chicken Run, you'll love these movies. This list features similar stories of clever underdogs using teamwork and ingenuity to break free from captivity, all with a mix of suspense and heartwarming success.
Stories in this thread follow a linear, high-stakes plot where a clear and immediate threat forces a group of unlikely heroes to devise and execute a complex escape plan. The narrative is driven by a series of obstacles, failed attempts, and clever solutions, building towards a final, climactic breakout.
These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a collective struggle for freedom against a powerful oppressor. They balance the tension of a ticking clock with the uplifting spirit of resilience and teamwork, resulting in a consistently exciting and satisfying adventure.
Lighthearted animated journeys filled with humor, heart, and fast-paced action.Fans of the hilarious and fast-paced animation in Chicken Run will enjoy these picks. Discover similar comedy-driven animated stories featuring quirky characters on exciting quests, blending slapstick humor with heartfelt moments for a feel-good experience.
The narrative pattern involves a straightforward quest or mission undertaken by charismatic characters. The journey is punctuated by frequent gags, visual humor, and witty dialogue, preventing the stakes from feeling too heavy and maintaining a consistently cheerful and engaging pace.
These films are united by their primary use of animation for comedy and lighthearted adventure. They share a fast pace, a light emotional tone, and a focus on delivering consistent laughs alongside a simple, satisfying character arc, making them perfect for family viewing.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Chicken Run 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 Chicken Run is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Chicken Run with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Chicken Run. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Chicken Run 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.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Chicken Run: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Chicken Run 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.
Chicken Run (2000) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Chicken Run (2000) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Chicken Run (2000) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Chicken Run – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) Film Overview & Timeline
Chicken Little (2005) Story Summary & Characters
Barnyard (2006) Film Overview & Timeline
Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos (2015) Full Summary & Key Details
A Movie of Eggs (2006) Detailed Story Recap
Cock-a-Doodle-Duel (2004) Movie Recap & Themes
The Chicken from Outer Space (1996) Full Summary & Key Details
Banty Raids (1963) Film Overview & Timeline
Henhouse Henery (1949) Story Summary & Characters
Chicken in the Rough (1951) Movie Recap & Themes
Chicken Jitters (1939) Complete Plot Breakdown
Chicken Park (1994) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The EGGcited Rooster (1952) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog (2025) Full Movie Breakdown
Poultry Pirates (1938) Ending Explained & Film Insights