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Early Man (2018) movie poster

Timeline

Early Man (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 89 min · English
Echo score 68
JustWatch #16,107 12
Starring
Maisie Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Miriam Margolyes, Gina Yashere, Johnny Vegas, Kayvan Novak
Budget
$50M

In a prehistoric world, a brave caveman named Dug and his friend Hognob must protect their tribe from a looming threat. The arrival of Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age forces, intent on mining the land, disrupts their peaceful existence. Dug rallies his people to challenge the invaders in a thrilling and comical battle for survival, showcasing an unlikely underdog story of courage and determination.

Adventure Fantasy Comedy Animation Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Early Man
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Early Man (2018)

Where can you watch Early Man? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fawesome, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Early Man Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Early Man (2018) 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. Asteroid Impact

    In a dramatic turn of events during the Neo-Pleistocene age, an enormous asteroid strikes Earth. This catastrophic event leads to the extinction of the dinosaurs, but surprisingly spares a nearby tribe of cavemen.

  2. Discovery of the Asteroid Fragment

    The surviving tribe stumbles upon a sizzling spherical fragment of the asteroid. They ingeniously decide to kick it around, leading to the invention of what resembles the game of football.

    Where
    Modern-day Manchester

  3. Meet Dug and His Tribe

    Fast forward to the Stone Age, where we meet Dug, a spirited young caveman. He resides in a quirky village led by Chief Bobnar, along with other eccentric tribe members like Asbo, Gravelle, and Barry.

  4. Dug's Bold Proposal

    Dug proposes a daring idea to hunt woolly mammoths instead of settling for mere rabbits. However, Chief Bobnar dismisses this idea, believing that mammoths are too enormous and dangerous.

  5. Fortuitous Collision

    As the disorganized tribe struggles to catch rabbits, fortune strikes when one of them collides with Mr. Rock, Barry's silly stone companion. This unexpected event sets off a chain of comedic occurrences.

  6. Bronze Age Army Arrives

    A formidable Bronze Age army, led by the intimidating Lord Nooth, sweeps into the valley. They declare that the Stone Age is over, aiming to seize control over the land and its minerals.

  7. Dug's Accidental Fame

    Dug inadvertently finds himself in Nooth's city, where he is mistaken for a football star. His initial awe quickly turns to embarrassment when he accidentally scores an own goal.

    Where
    Bronze civilization city

  8. Dug Challenges Nooth

    In a bold move, Dug challenges Nooth's skilled local team to a high-stakes football match, where the stakes are his tribe's freedom. The challenge catches Nooth's interest when he sees profit potential.

  9. Training for the Big Match

    Realizing that his tribe lacks knowledge of football despite their ancestry, Dug takes it upon himself to teach them the rules. Their training is chaotic as they face multiple hurdles, including the destruction of their only football.

  10. Sneaking into the City

    Determined not to give up, Dug and his pet boar Hognob sneak into the city to retrieve new footballs. They meet Goona, a spirited vendor passionate about football, who joins their unlikely team.

    Where
    City of the Bronze Age

  11. Tension before the Match

    As match day approaches, tensions escalate with Queen Oofeefa watching closely. Dug contemplates forfeiting to protect his tribe, but the growing sense of camaraderie reignites their determination.

  12. The Intense Match

    During the match, Dug’s tribe starts in a disadvantageous position, trailing 3-1. However, through teamwork and surprising skills from Hognob and Dug, they bounce back to ultimately win the game 4-3.

  13. Victory and Respect

    With their surprising victory, Dug's tribe not only reclaims their valley but also earns the respect of their adversaries. This triumph marks a pivotal moment in their quest for survival.

  14. Nooth's Downfall

    As Dug's tribe celebrates their victory, Lord Nooth's plans unravel, leading to his comedic downfall. The once-feared leader is left to reckon with his defeat against the unassuming tribe.

  15. New Adventures Await

    In a fitting conclusion, Dug's tribe, including Goona and even some members of Nooth's team, unite for a new hunting adventure. However, they soon discover that their old nemesis, the rabbit, presents new challenges.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:28

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Timeline questions answered

Early Man Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Early Man (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Dug want to hunt woolly mammoths instead of rabbits?

Dug believes the tribe's way of life is stagnant and unfulfilling. He sees rabbits as inadequate prey that barely sustains them, while mammoths represent a chance to provide real food and prove the tribe's worth. Chief Bobnar rejects this idea, insisting mammoths are too dangerous, but Dug's ambition stems from wanting to elevate his people beyond their modest existence.

  • dug
  • mammoths
  • chief bobnar
  • hunting
  • tribe
Q2

How does Lord Nooth's army take over the cavemen's valley?

Lord Nooth arrives with a Bronze Age army and war mammoths, declaring the Stone Age over. He asserts dominion over the land to mine its minerals. The technologically advanced army easily overpowers the primitive tribe, forcing Dug's people to either submit or flee. Nooth's forces set up operations in the valley, effectively occupying the cavemen's ancestral home.

  • lord nooth
  • bronze age
  • invasion
  • valley
  • army
Q3

Why does Dug challenge Lord Nooth to a football match?

After accidentally scoring an own goal and being exposed as a fraud in Nooth's arena, Dug makes a desperate gambit. He challenges Nooth's skilled local team to a match, wagering his tribe's freedom against the chance to reclaim their valley. Nooth accepts primarily because he sees potential profit from betting on the clearly one-sided contest.

  • dug
  • lord nooth
  • football challenge
  • freedom
  • tribe
Q4

Why does Goona agree to help the cavemen train for the match?

Goona is a passionate football fan who works as a vendor in Nooth's city but is excluded from playing because she's a woman. Her frustration with this gender discrimination drives her to join Dug's cause. She sees an opportunity to prove women's football skills while helping the underdog tribe defeat the arrogant Bronze Age team.

  • goona
  • football
  • training
  • coach
  • bronze age team
Q5

How does the tribe manage to win the football match despite being underdogs?

The tribe starts trailing 3-1 but rallies through teamwork and unexpected skills. Hognob, Dug's pet boar, proves surprisingly athletic and scores crucial goals. Dug himself lands a dramatic bicycle kick. Goona's coaching helps them exploit the Bronze Age team's weakness, their arrogance prevents them from working together effectively, allowing the united tribe to overcome superior individual talent.

  • football match
  • comeback
  • victory
  • hognob
  • bronze age team
Q6

What happens to Lord Nooth after the tribe wins the match?

After his team's unexpected defeat, Lord Nooth's plans completely unravel. His scheme to profit from the match backfires spectacularly, leading to his comedic downfall. The once-dominant Bronze Age leader is left defeated and humiliated, while Dug's tribe celebrates reclaiming their valley.

  • lord nooth
  • defeat
  • downfall
  • bronze age
  • valley
Q7

How did the cavemen originally invent football?

In the film's opening, an asteroid strikes Earth during the Neo-Pleistocene era, wiping out dinosaurs but sparing a tribe of cavemen. The survivors discover a sizzling spherical fragment of the asteroid and begin kicking it around. These cave paintings depict what becomes the invention of football, later resembling modern-day Manchester.

  • football
  • invention
  • asteroid
  • cavemen
  • dinosaurs
Q8

Why does the movie end with the tribe still struggling against rabbits?

In the closing scene, Dug's tribe, including Goona and former Bronze Age players, unites for a new hunting adventure. However, they discover their old adversary, the humble rabbit, still poses a challenge. This comedic ending reinforces the film's theme that true victory lies in unity and perseverance, not in completely overcoming one's weaknesses.

  • rabbits
  • ending
  • hunting
  • tribe
  • comedy
Q9

Why does Lord Nooth want to mine the cavemen's valley?

Lord Nooth's Bronze Age civilization seeks to extract minerals from the valley's volcanic landscape. The region is rich in valuable resources that Nooth intends to harvest. His invasion isn't personal against the cavemen, rather, he views the Stone Age as obsolete and the land as mere territory to exploit for his civilization's economic gain.

  • lord nooth
  • mining
  • minerals
  • bronze age
  • valley

Movie threads

More Movies Like Early Man, by Mood & Story

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

Quirky Underdog Sports Comedies like Early Man

Unlikely heroes use an unconventional sport to triumph against superior opponents. If you loved the hilarious football match in Early Man, you'll enjoy these movies. Discover similar films featuring goofy characters, high-spirited competition, and triumphant underdog stories where teamwork and heart win the day against all odds.

  • underdog
  • comical
  • uplifting
  • energetic
  • hopeful
  • teamwork
  • Tone: light, comedic, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic underdog structure: a group of misfits discovers a sport, trains comically against a superior force, and competes in a high-stakes final match. The journey is filled with humorous setbacks and moments of bonding, leading to a predictable but satisfying victory that emphasizes heart over skill.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared lighthearted tone, focus on comedic sports action, and the emotional payoff of rooting for the underestimated hero. They blend the excitement of competition with consistent, family-friendly humor.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story movie poster

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

2004
Underdogs movie poster

Underdogs

2013
The Benchwarmers movie poster

The Benchwarmers

2006
Underdog movie poster

Underdog

2007
Major League: Back to the Minors movie poster

Major League: Back to the Minors

1998
Major League movie poster

Major League

1989
Air Bud: World Pup movie poster

Air Bud: World Pup

2000
Air Bud: Golden Receiver movie poster

Air Bud: Golden Receiver

1998

Movies about Primitive vs. Civilized clashes like Early Man

Simple, ancient cultures humorously confront a more advanced society. Fans of Early Man's Stone Age vs. Bronze Age conflict will appreciate these films. Explore similar stories where ancient tribes or simple societies comically defend their homes against invaders, using cleverness and spirit to overcome a technological disadvantage.

  • quirky
  • hopeful
  • comical
  • primitive
  • civilization
  • clash
  • Tone: whimsical, light, quirky
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around a cultural clash, where a peaceful, simple society is invaded or threatened by a more organized, sophisticated force. The primitive group must use their unique understanding of their world and unconventional methods to outsmart the invaders, often leading to a humorous and enlightening confrontation for both sides.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific comedic premise that contrasts two vastly different societies. The grouping is based on the shared setting, the lighthearted tone of the conflict, and the theme of resourcefulness triumphing over sheer power.

Caveman movie poster

Caveman

1981
Back to the Woods movie poster

Back to the Woods

1937
Early Man movie poster

Early Man

2018
The Croods: A New Age movie poster

The Croods: A New Age

2020
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle movie poster

The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle

2000
Strange Wilderness movie poster

Strange Wilderness

2008
Animal Crackers movie poster

Animal Crackers

2020
The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild movie poster

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild

2022

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Every angle

Early Man (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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