Clifford

Clifford

Year: 1994

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Flaherty

Comedy

Clifford’s uncle Martin Daniels is asked to watch his brother’s young son, Clifford. Martin brings the boy into his home and meets his future wife, Sarah. Clifford becomes obsessed with visiting a famous theme park, and Martin—an engineer who helped design it—plans the trip. When Clifford proves to be a mischievous brat, tensions flare, leading to a chaotic, inter‑generational showdown.

Clifford (1994) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Clifford (1994) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a near‑future Los Angeles where sleek design and nostalgic dreams collide, a single family‑call sets a quiet suburban home buzzing with possibility. When Martin Daniels, a celebrated architect known for shaping the city’s most ambitious projects, is asked to look after his brother’s young son, the arrangement quickly becomes more than a simple favor. The house, already humming with the promise of freshly drawn blueprints, now feels the restless energy of a child who refuses to settle for anything less than wonder.

Clifford arrives with an irrepressible imagination, clutching a beloved toy dinosaur and obsessively talking about a legendary theme park that seems to exist somewhere between childhood myth and engineered reality. Sarah Davis, a poised professional who dreams of building a family of her own, is drawn into the mix, her pragmatic outlook gently challenged by the boy’s boundless curiosity. The trio’s interactions blend sharp wit, tender missteps, and a playful tug‑of‑war between adult responsibility and youthful rebellion, establishing a tone that is at once comedic and emotionally resonant.

As the days unfold, the household becomes a microcosm of larger questions about ambition, connection, and the price of trying to please everyone. Martin’s desire to prove himself, Clifford’s unquenchable yearning for adventure, and Sarah’s search for belonging set the stage for an inter‑generational showdown that promises both chaos and unexpected growth. The film balances bright, kinetic humor with quieter moments of reflection, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go to protect dreams and whether forgiveness can bridge the gaps left by well‑intended missteps.

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:20

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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.

Chaotic Child Troublemaker Farces like Clifford

Comedies centered on a mischievous child creating escalating, absurd chaos.Find more movies like Clifford where a mischievous child's antics drive the plot. This thread gathers comedies focused on youthful chaos, escalating pranks, and the comedic fallout within family or social settings. If you enjoyed the absurd trouble Clifford caused, you'll love these similar funny stories.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple but effective pattern: a child, often with a singular obsession or a grudge, executes a series of increasingly elaborate and disruptive pranks. The conflict builds as the adults' frustration peaks, leading to a chaotic climax that forces a reevaluation of relationships, often ending with a lesson learned or an apology.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their central premise of a child as the primary agent of chaos. They share a fast, farcical pace, a whimsical tone that tempers the dark implications of the behavior, and a focus on the humorous tension between generations.

Bittersweet Family Reconciliation Comedies like Clifford

Humorous family stories where chaos leads to a heartfelt, imperfect mending.Explore movies similar to Clifford that blend comedy with heartfelt family drama. These films use humor as a pathway to healing, often following a chaotic journey that ends in a bittersweet but hopeful reconciliation. If you liked the emotional resolution in Clifford, discover these touching and funny stories.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative journey begins with a dysfunctional or strained family dynamic. A period of significant conflict or chaos—often initiated by a disruptive force—tests the relationships to their limit. The climax forces a confrontation, leading to an ending that is not purely happy but realistically bittersweet, emphasizing apology, forgiveness, and the hard-won mending of bonds.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique emotional blend: they are genuinely funny yet carry medium emotional weight, and they consistently arrive at a bittersweet conclusion. The tone balances whimsical or lighthearted elements with the serious underpinnings of familial hurt and the effort required for forgiveness.

Unlock the Full Story of Clifford

Don't stop at just watching — explore Clifford 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 Clifford is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Clifford Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Clifford, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Clifford Summary

Clifford Timeline

Track the full timeline of Clifford with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Clifford Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Clifford

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Clifford. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Clifford

More About Clifford

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Clifford: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Clifford

Similar Movies to Clifford

Discover movies like Clifford 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.