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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 91 min · English
Echo score 28
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Directed by
David Bowers
Starring
Alicia Silverstone, Owen Asztalos, Jason Ian Drucker, Tom Everett Scott, Joshua Hoover, Charlie Wright
Budget
$22M

As summer arrives, Greg Heffley anticipates a relaxing break, but his mother surprises him with a family road trip to a distant relative's birthday celebration. Greg sees a chance to attend a gaming convention and meet his idol, YouTube star Mac Digby, hoping to gain some popularity. With a plan forming in his mind, Greg embarks on a series of misadventures during the journey, navigating family dynamics and scheming to reach the convention.

Comedy Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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16 events in order · contains spoilers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) 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. Family Announcement

    The Heffley family gathers for dinner at Corny's, where Susan reveals the exciting news that they will embark on a road trip to celebrate Meemaw's 90th birthday in Indianapolis. This announcement is met with displeasure from Rodrick and Greg, who were hoping for something more fun and less family-oriented.

    Where
    Corny's

  2. Unfortunate Mishap

    During the gathering, Greg faces a humiliating situation by getting stuck in a ball pit filled with diapers while attempting to rescue his brother Manny. This chaotic incident leads to Greg becoming infamous online as the character dubbed 'Diaper Hands'.

    Where
    Corny's

  3. Tech-Free Declaration

    In an effort to bond as a family away from technology, Susan confiscates everyone's phones, declaring the trip a tech-free experience. However, Greg and Rodrick find this declaration a challenge as they plan to escape by secretly retrieving their phones during the trip.

  4. Escape Plan

    At the motel, Greg sneaks his phone from Susan and teams up with Rodrick to plot an escape to attend the Player Expo. They are determined to eliminate the embarrassment caused by the viral 'Diaper Hands' meme.

    Where
    Motel

  5. Encounter with the Beardos

    While attempting to reach the Expo, Greg and Rodrick stumble upon two mischievous brothers known as the 'Beardos'. Their reputation stems from their father's impressive facial hair, and they pose a threat to Greg's plans.

  6. Confrontation with Mr. Beardo

    Greg unintentionally offends Mr. Beardo by mistakenly calling him a 'Fat Beardo,' igniting a vendetta against the Heffley family. This confrontation escalates as Mr. Beardo vows to take revenge on Greg for the insult.

  7. Manny's Piglet

    Manny's luck takes a turn for the better when he returns home from a fair with an unexpected piglet companion. However, chaos ensues as Mr. Beardo intensifies his pursuit of Greg, leading to near disaster for the family.

  8. The Piglet Fund Donation

    In a moment of mercy, the Heffleys donate the piglet to a local petting zoo, much to Manny's disappointment. This small gesture of kindness creates a momentary respite from the family’s escalating troubles with the Beardos.

    Where
    Petting Zoo

  9. Plans to Conquer the Expo

    Back at the hotel, Greg and Rodrick devise a plan to surprise their parents with a gift for Meemaw. However, their escape to the Player Expo compromises their good intentions as they leap into the adventure.

    Where
    Hotel Room

  10. Gaming Competition Showdown

    Greg unexpectedly faces off against Mac Digby, a tough competitor in a gaming contest, leading to a disastrous situation when Mac’s screen crashes due to Greg's misguided attempts to impress. The incident leads to the reveal of Greg's embarrassing 'Diaper Hands' persona.

    Where
    Player Expo

  11. Confrontation with Susan

    Overwhelmed by Susan's controlling nature and the challenges of the trip, Greg confronts her about her strict rules regarding technology. This leads Susan to reconsider her approach, hinting at a potential shift in their family dynamics.

  12. Disastrous Tarp Incident

    As the Heffleys continue their journey, a runaway tarp takes over their motorboat, causing their belongings to scatter everywhere. Amid the chaos, the Beardos capitalize on the disarray to reclaim stolen items from the Heffleys.

    Where
    Motorboat

  13. Traffic Jam Challenge

    Stuck in a significant traffic jam, Frank decides to take an alternative route that leads them to the Beardos' motel. This bold move results in the successful retrieval of their scattered belongings as they confront the mischievous brothers.

    Where
    Beardos' Motel

  14. Reunion with the Piglet

    As they near the conclusion of their chaotic journey, Greg unwittingly finds himself adrift in a boat that has drifted from their car. A kind tow truck driver helps guide them back to the petting zoo to reclaim Manny's piglet.

    Where
    Petting Zoo

  15. Future Adventures

    Following this wild adventure, Frank is given time off work to spend with his family, while Rodrick receives funds for van repairs. In a surprising twist, Susan drops news of flying to their next destination, leaving Greg excited for upcoming trips.

  16. Mid-Credits Shenanigans

    In a humorous mid-credits scene, Greg snaps selfies with two girls who recognize him as 'Diaper Hands.' Their laughter at his misfortune brings a light-hearted end to his chaotic adventures.

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 11:08

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Timeline questions answered

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Greg get stuck in the ball pit at Corny's?

Greg got stuck in the ball pit while trying to rescue his younger brother Manny, who had gotten trapped among the diapers in the pit. The rescue attempt backfired when Greg himself became stuck, leading to a humiliating situation that was captured on video and later went viral as the "Diaper Hands" meme.

  • greg heffley
  • ball pit
  • diaper hands
  • manny
  • corny's restaurant
Q2

How did the Diaper Hands meme start?

The Diaper Hands meme began when Greg's embarrassing moment at Corny's was recorded and posted online. The video showed Greg stuck in a ball pit full of diapers while trying to rescue Manny, and internet users dubbed him "Diaper Hands," making him famous for all the wrong reasons.

  • diaper hands
  • viral video
  • meme
  • internet famous
  • greg heffley
Q3

Why did the Beardos target the Heffley family?

The Beardos targeted the Heffley family because Greg accidentally offended Mr. Beardo by calling him "Fat Beardo" when referring to the family by their nickname. This insult sparked a vendetta, and the Beardos began pursuing revenge against the Heffleys throughout their road trip.

  • beardos
  • mr beardo
  • greg heffley
  • revenge
  • confrontation
Q4

Why was Mr. Beardo so determined to catch Greg?

Mr. Beardo was determined to catch Greg after Greg insulted him by calling him "Fat Beardo" in front of the Beardos. The insult deeply angered Mr. Beardo, who vowed revenge against the Heffley family for the humiliation.

  • mr beardo
  • greg heffley
  • revenge
  • fat beardo
  • beardos family
Q5

What happened to Manny's piglet from the fair?

Manny received a piglet as a companion from a fair, but during the family's chaotic encounter with Mr. Beardo, they donated the piglet to a local petting zoo to avoid further trouble. Manny was disappointed by this decision, though the family later reclaimed the piglet near the end of their trip.

  • manny
  • piglet
  • petting zoo
  • fair
  • donation
Q6

How did Greg change the GPS to head to the Player Expo?

Greg manipulated the family's GPS navigation system to redirect their route toward the Player Expo in Indianapolis instead of continuing to Meemaw's birthday celebration. This was part of his secret plan to attend the gaming convention and meet his idol Mac Digby.

  • gps
  • navigation
  • player expo
  • greg heffley
  • mac digby
Q7

Why did Susan reveal Greg's Diaper Hands identity at the Expo?

Susan revealed Greg's Diaper Hands identity at the Expo after discovering his scheme to attend the convention behind her back. When Greg faced off against Mac Digby in a gaming competition and caused the screen to crash, Susan publicly exposed his embarrassing internet persona as a consequence for lying and sneaking around.

  • susan
  • diaper hands
  • mac digby
  • expo
  • player expo
  • reveal
Q8

What was the confrontation between Greg and Susan about?

Greg confronted Susan about her strict technology rules and controlling approach to the road trip, expressing frustration that she was being naive about what the family actually wanted. This confrontation prompted Susan to reconsider her rigid rules about keeping devices confiscated during the trip.

  • greg
  • susan
  • confrontation
  • technology
  • family rules
  • road trip
Q9

How did the Heffleys get their belongings back from the Beardos?

The Heffleys recovered their belongings when they got stuck in a traffic jam and Frank decided to take an alternate route that led to the Beardos' motel. There, the family confronted the Beardos and successfully retrieved their stolen items as retribution for the earlier theft during the tarp incident.

  • beardos
  • motel
  • stolen items
  • traffic jam
  • frank heffley
  • retrieval
Q10

Did the Heffley family make it to Meemaw's birthday celebration?

Despite all the chaos with the Beardos, Greg's scheme, and various mishaps along the way, the Heffley family did eventually reach Meemaw's 90th birthday celebration in Indianapolis. The trip was filled with obstacles, but they ultimately made it to celebrate with their grandmother.

  • meemaw
  • 90th birthday
  • indianapolis
  • family
  • celebration
Q11

Why was Rodrick's video recording important to the plot?

Rodrick's video recording captured Greg's embarrassing Diaper Hands moment, which later became the viral meme that Greg was trying to escape. Additionally, during the confrontation with Susan, Greg realized Rodrick's recording had captured him, making their secret plans ineffective and contributing to their exposure at the Expo.

  • rodrick
  • video recording
  • diaper hands
  • meme
  • exposed
Q12

What happened during the tarp incident on the motorboat?

During the journey, a runaway tarp took over the Heffleys' motorboat, causing all their belongings to scatter everywhere. While the family was distracted by the chaos, the Beardos took advantage of the situation to reclaim the items they claimed the Heffleys had stolen.

  • tarp
  • motorboat
  • beardos
  • belongings
  • chaos
Q13

Why did Susan surprise the family with flying to their next destination?

At the end of the trip, after Frank received time off work to spend with family and Rodrick got funds for van repairs, Susan announced they would fly to their next destination. This surprise ended the movie on a humorous note, with Greg's excitement about future adventures immediately challenged by this unexpected travel method.

  • susan
  • flying
  • surprise
  • next trip
  • family
  • ending
Q14

Who is Mac Digby and why did Greg want to meet him?

Mac Digby is a popular YouTube star and gaming personality whom Greg idolizes. Greg hoped to meet Mac Digby at the Player Expo gaming convention because he believed this meeting would help him gain popularity and overcome the embarrassment of his Diaper Hands meme.

  • mac digby
  • youtube
  • gamer
  • player expo
  • greg heffley
  • popularity

Movie threads

More Movies Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Family Road Trip Mishaps like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

Comedic journeys where family dynamics collide with chaotic travel disasters. Explore movies like 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul' that capture the comedic spirit of family road trips. If you enjoyed the chaotic travel disasters and family bonding, you'll find similar funny and lighthearted journey stories here.

  • family-oriented
  • comical chaotic
  • frustrated
  • hopeful
  • playful
  • absurd mishaps
  • Tone: light, comical
  • Pacing: fast, eventful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a family unit embarking on a journey with a specific destination or goal. The plot is fueled by a series of unplanned, comedic mishaps that derail their progress, forcing the characters to navigate both the external chaos and their internal family squabbles, often leading to a heartwarming resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the 'road trip' as a narrative engine for comedy and low-stakes family conflict. They feature a fast pace driven by continuous mishaps, a light tone that avoids genuine peril, and a core theme of family bonding through shared adversity.

College Road Trip movie poster

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2008
Family Troubles movie poster

Family Troubles

1943
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul movie poster

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

2017
Family Honeymoon movie poster

Family Honeymoon

1948
Getting There movie poster

Getting There

2002
Unaccompanied Minors movie poster

Unaccompanied Minors

2006
Holiday on the Buses movie poster

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1973
How Sweet It Is movie poster

How Sweet It Is

2013

Scheming Kids and Comedic Chaos like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

Stories of ambitious children whose elaborate plans spiral into hilarious chaos. Find movies similar to 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul' where a kid's big plan leads to funny disasters. If you liked Greg's quest to meet his idol and the chaos it caused, you'll enjoy these stories of ambitious children and their hilarious misadventures.

  • mischievous
  • ambitious
  • frustrated
  • comical chaotic
  • coming of age
  • playful
  • Tone: light, playful
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a child or teen character who devises a plan to achieve a specific, often socially-motivated goal. Their scheme inevitably conflicts with adult authority or family plans, leading to a domino effect of comedic failures and misunderstandings before a lesson is learned and everything is resolved happily.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on the central trope of a kid's well-intentioned but poorly executed scheme. They share a fast pace due to the escalating consequences of the plan, a light emotional weight as the stakes are personal and humorous, and a focus on the awkward, funny phase of coming of age.

Family Troubles movie poster

Family Troubles

1943
Rent-a-Kid movie poster

Rent-a-Kid

1995
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul movie poster

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

2017
Getting Even with Dad movie poster

Getting Even with Dad

1994
Family Switch movie poster

Family Switch

2023
College Road Trip movie poster

College Road Trip

2008
Khichdi: The Movie movie poster

Khichdi: The Movie

2010
The Parent Trap movie poster

The Parent Trap

1998

Every angle

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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