Year: 2013
Runtime: 102 min
Language: English
Director: Chris Wedge
Budget: $100M
A teenage girl discovers a magical gateway, leading her to a fantastical world threatened by impending destruction. She joins forces with a diverse group of warriors and giants to confront the looming darkness. Their quest becomes a battle to protect both their realm and her own, as they fight to restore balance and vanquish evil.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Epic (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Seventeen-year-old Mary Katherine, also known as M.K., (Amanda Seyfried) relocates to live with her quirky scientist father, Professor Bomba (portrayed by Jason Sudeikis). He has dedicated his life to searching for tiny human warriors called Leafmen, who strive to safeguard the forest from malevolent creatures known as Boggans and their sinister leader, Mandrake (Christoph Waltz). Among the Leafmen is an independent and rebellious soldier named Nod (Josh Hutcherson), who decides to leave the group, much to the frustration of the strict Leafmen leader, Ronin (Colin Farrell). Nod, once Ronin’s protégé and top soldier, struggles to adhere to orders and authority.
As the queen of the forest, Queen Tara (Beyoncé Knowles), contemplates her future, she must select an heir during an important ceremony. However, she is warned by Ronin about the Boggans diligently watching for an opportunity to thwart this selection. Despite the warnings, Tara is determined to proceed with a public affair, surrounded by her loyal protectors, including a laid-back slug named Mub (Aziz Ansari) and a hopeful snail named Grub (Chris O’Dowd).
With dark forces intent on wreaking havoc, the Boggans aim to eliminate Tara before she can choose her successor, threatening to throw the forest into chaos. Tara bravely selects the smallest pod as the heir. Just after her choice, the Boggans launch an assault, leading to a chaotic confrontation. Tara escapes, but not without difficulty, as her loyal guards are soon overtaken by the overwhelming number of foes. Using her powers, she manages to hold off her pursuers momentarily, aided by a flower child who reveres her. Ultimately, Ronin arrives to rescue her, and they flee together on Ronin’s hummingbird steed. Tragically, during their escape, Mandrake and his son Dagda (Blake Anderson) attack, resulting in Dagda’s death at the hands of Ronin, while Tara suffers a fatal wound from Mandrake’s arrow.
Meanwhile, feeling frustrated with her father’s obsession, M.K. leaves a note and attempts to leave but is swiftly interrupted by her family’s quirky dog, Ozzy, who dashes into the woods. Searching for Ozzy leads M.K. to witness Tara’s fall, where she is entrusted with the heir pod before Tara succumbs. Tara implores M.K. to deliver the pod to a Glowworm named Nim Galuu (Steven Tyler) before fading away. M.K., confused yet afraid, teams up with Ronin, Mub, and Grub.
The adventure continues as Nod enters a race against various creatures, only to regret his decision when he finds himself in a dangerous situation with a tough bullfrog named Bufo (Pitbull). Ronin steps in to defend him, and eventually, Nod decides to join Ronin, M.K., Mub, and Grub upon hearing of the queen’s death.
Their journey brings them to Nim Galuu, where M.K. unveils Tara’s final message before being returned to her original size. During this escapade, romance blossoms between M.K. and Nod while the shadows of betrayal loom as Mandrake captures Mub and Grub, along with the precious pod, aiming to exploit it for his dark ambitions.
To infiltrate Boggan territory undetected, M.K., Nod, and Ronin embark on a mission to Bomba’s house to secure disguises. M.K. learns that her father is viewed as a “stomper” by the Leafmen, while a mistaken encounter leads Bomba to discover that his theories may have been correct all along. Their journey culminates in an epic showdown, where Ronin and Nod realize the power of teamwork as they face Mandrake.
As the looming threat draws near, hope surfaces when moonlight overcomes Mandrake’s darkness, causing the heir to blossom in light. The chosen heir, a marigold child who revered Tara, emerges, while Grub ascends to a Leafman. Reconciliations unfold, including a tender kiss between Nod and M.K., who then returns to her original size. After a heartfelt reunion with Bomba, M.K. joins him as an assistant, ensuring that the family maintains contact with their newly found small allies as they explore the wonders of their extraordinary world.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:51
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.
Discovery of a fantastical, hidden society thriving in an overlooked part of our world.If you enjoyed the secret world of the Leafmen in Epic, you'll like these movies featuring fantastical miniature societies. These stories share a sense of magical discovery, often set in forests or backyards, where tiny heroes face epic threats, blending family-friendly adventure with a whimsical, hopeful tone.
The narrative follows a protagonist, often from our world, who stumbles upon a hidden miniature society. They are quickly drawn into a conflict central to this small world's survival, becoming an ally to its quirky inhabitants in a battle that, while small in scale, has grand stakes and heroic consequences.
These movies are grouped by their core premise of a concealed, living world existing just out of human sight, a whimsical tone that balances adventure with charm, and a focus on themes of discovery, environmental stewardship, and the unlikely heroism found in the smallest of places.
A reluctant hero joins a quirky team on a urgent, action-packed mission to save a realm.Fans of the fast-paced adventure and teamwork in Epic will enjoy these animated films. They feature a group of quirky, distinct characters on a urgent mission, combining comedy, light romance, and thrilling action with an ultimately happy and uplifting conclusion, perfect for family viewing.
The story begins with a clear threat that sets a fast-paced quest into motion. A central character, often an outsider, is thrust into the adventure and must learn to work with a pre-established, eccentric team. The plot is linear, driven by a series of action set-pieces and moments of comedic relief, culminating in a triumphant finale that solidifies the group as a found family.
Movies in this thread share a specific mix of fast pacing, medium intensity, and a light emotional weight, creating a consistently fun and exhilarating vibe. They are united by the narrative pattern of a team-based quest, the balance of humor and action, and an overall uplifting, family-friendly atmosphere.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Epic 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 Epic is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Epic 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 Epic. 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 Epic 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 Epic: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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