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Four Kids and It (2020) movie poster

Timeline

Four Kids and It (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 110 min · English
Echo score 46
JustWatch #26,876 5
Directed by
Andy De Emmony
Starring
Matthew Goode, Michael Caine, Paula Patton, Russell Brand, Pippa Haywood, Ashley Aufderheide
Budget
$5M

During a summer holiday in Cornwall, four children discover a grumpy, ancient magical being who grants wishes. United by this extraordinary secret, the friends experience the excitement and unexpected challenges that come with having their deepest desires fulfilled, learning valuable lessons about friendship and responsibility along the way.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Four Kids and It
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Four Kids and It (2020)

Where can you watch Four Kids and It? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Tubi TV, YouTube Free and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Four Kids and It Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Four Kids and It (2020) 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. Families Reunite

    On a sunny Cornish beach, siblings Ros and Robbie joyfully reunite with their father David, his girlfriend Alice, and Alice's daughters Samantha and Maudie. This marks the beginning of a summer filled with family bonding and unexpected adventures.

    Where
    Cornish beach
  2. Initial Tensions

    Despite the initial joy, the children struggle with animosity towards one another. Their differing backgrounds and experiences cause friction, making the first days of their reunion challenging.

  3. Discovery of the Psammead

    The children stumble upon a mysterious magical creature known as the Psammead or Sand Fairy. This enchanting being has the ability to grant one wish each day, but warns them that the wishes will disappear with the sunset.

  4. Wishes Come True

    Energized by the Psammead's magic, the siblings embark on exhilarating adventures based on their whimsical wishes. They experience the thrill of their dreams brought to life in unexpected and delightful ways.

  5. Time Travel

    In one of their adventures, the children find themselves whisked away 100 years into the past. This time-travel exposes them to new experiences and challenges as they navigate a world that is both exciting and dangerous.

  6. Encounter with Tristan Trent

    While in the past, they meet Tristan Trent, a dignified yet demanding aristocrat. In a tense moment, Ros is put at gunpoint as Tristan seeks to uncover the secrets of the magical Psammead.

  7. Saving Ros

    In a display of clever teamwork, Samantha, Robbie, and Maudie combine their strengths to save Ros from the dangerous situation. They use the magic of the Psammead to craft a clever escape, highlighting their growing bond.

  8. Returning to the Present

    After their adventures in the past, the children attempt to find a way to make their dreams last forever. However, their plans are thwarted, and they are forced to return to present day, leaving them with a sense of loss.

  9. Trouble with Tristan Trent III

    Back in the present, the siblings face a new adversary, Tristan Trent III, who has sinister designs on the Psammead. His intentions complicate their attempts to protect the magical creature and maintain their newfound happiness.

  10. Outsmarting the Villain

    Utilizing their combined wits, the siblings devise a plan to outsmart Tristan Trent III. They ultimately trap him on the beach, showcasing their growth and the strength of their unity as a family.

    Where
    Cornish beach
  11. Bonding Among Siblings

    Throughout their magical escapades, the sibling's relationships evolve from rivalry to deep affection. Their time spent together strengthens their bond, fostering a sense of understanding and love.

  12. Heartwarming Finale

    In a heartwarming conclusion, Ros, Robbie, Samantha, and Maudie choose to keep the Psammead in their care. They decide to hide him away from their parents, cherishing their magical experiences and newfound friendship.

    Where
    Family bathroom

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 20:41

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Timeline questions answered

Four Kids and It Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Four Kids and It (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why do the Psammead's wishes disappear at sunset?

The Psammead explains to the children that its magic works on a daily cycle - each wish granted only lasts until the sun sets. This is a key rule of the magical creature's powers that the children must learn to work within throughout their adventures.

  • psammead
  • sand fairy
  • wishes
  • sunset
  • magic rules
Q2

How do the children travel 100 years into the past?

The children use one of their wishes from the Psammead to travel back in time. Their wish transports them 100 years to the Victorian era, where they encounter Tristan Trent and experience life in a different time period.

  • time travel
  • past
  • wish
  • psammead
  • adventure
Q3

Why does Tristan point a gun at Ros?

Tristan Trent wants to discover the secrets of the Psammead. When he captures Ros, he holds her at gunpoint to force her to reveal how the magical creature can be controlled and used for his own purposes.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Tristan is described as dignified yet demanding, hinting at his willingness to use force to get what he wants.

  • tristan
  • ros
  • gunpoint
  • psammead secrets
  • villain
Q4

How do the siblings save Ros from Tristan?

Samantha, Robbie, and Maudie work together using the Psammead's magic to devise a clever escape plan. Their teamwork allows them to rescue Ros from the dangerous situation, demonstrating how their growing bond gives them strength.

Foreshadowing: The children's initial animosity gradually transforms into cooperation as they face challenges together.

  • rescue
  • ros
  • samantha
  • robbie
  • maudie
  • teamwork
  • magic
Q5

Why can't the children make their wishes last forever?

After experiencing their time-travel adventure, the children try to find a way to make their wishes permanent. However, their plans fail and they are forced to return to the present, learning that the Psammead's magic cannot be kept beyond its daily cycle.

  • wishes
  • permanent
  • magic
  • return present
  • failure
Q6

Who is Tristan Trent III and why does he want the Psammead?

Tristan Trent III is a descendant of the original Tristan Trent the children met in the past. Like his ancestor, he has sinister intentions toward the Psammead, seeking to exploit the magical creature's powers for his own gain.

Foreshadowing: The children encountered Tristan Trent in the past, establishing the family connection that carries forward to the present day.

  • tristan trent iii
  • villain
  • descendant
  • psammead
  • present day
Q7

How do the children trap Tristan Trent III on the beach?

Using their combined wits and the Psammead's magic, the siblings devise a plan to outsmart Tristan Trent III. They manage to trap him on the Cornish beach, preventing him from taking the magical creature.

  • tristan trent iii
  • trap
  • beach
  • outsmart
  • villain
Q8

Why do the children hide the Psammead from their parents?

The children decide to keep the Psammead hidden in their family bathroom because they want to protect the magical creature from adults who might not understand its importance or could try to exploit it, as Tristan did.

Foreshadowing: The children have learned through their adventures that the Psammead needs to be protected from those who would misuse its magic.

  • psammead
  • parents
  • hide
  • family bathroom
  • protection
Q9

Why do the children's feelings toward each other change?

Initially, the children are hostile due to their different backgrounds - Ros and Robbie are British while Samantha and Maudie are American. Through their shared magical adventures and the challenges they face together, they develop genuine affection and sibling-like bonds.

Foreshadowing: The timeline explicitly notes the initial tensions between the children that must be overcome.

  • friendship
  • children
  • bonding
  • siblings
  • family
Q10

What is the Psammead and what can it do?

The Psammead, also called the Sand Fairy, is an ancient magical creature that lives on the Cornish beach. It has the power to grant one wish per day to whoever finds it, though those wishes vanish when the sun sets.

  • psammead
  • sand fairy
  • magic
  • wish granting
  • creature

Movie threads

More Movies Like Four Kids and It, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical wish-fulfillment movies like Four Kids and It

Lighthearted adventures where magic grants wishes with unexpected, charming consequences. If you enjoyed the charming magic and playful wishes in Four Kids and It, you'll love these movies. Discover other family films where ordinary characters stumble upon extraordinary powers, leading to heartwarming adventures and lighthearted lessons about friendship and responsibility.

  • magical
  • whimsical
  • playful
  • heartwarming
  • feel-good
  • adventurous
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a group, often children, who encounter a magical entity or object that can grant their deepest desires. The narrative unfolds through a series of episodic wish-based scenarios, where initial excitement gives way to humorous or challenging outcomes, ultimately teaching a lesson about what truly matters.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared sense of magical whimsy, low-stakes adventure, and a tone that is consistently light and playful. They feature a steady pacing driven by a sequence of magical events and universally conclude with a happy, feel-good resolution.

Movies about holiday bonding adventures like Four Kids and It

Heartwarming stories of new friendships forged during an extraordinary summer vacation. Looking for more films like Four Kids and It? Explore these stories of summer holidays and magical discoveries that bring people together. These feel-good movies capture the spirit of adventure, the beauty of new friendships, and the heartwarming feeling of a shared secret.

  • heartwarming
  • adventurous
  • feel-good
  • sunny
  • friendship
  • bonding
  • Tone: heartwarming, adventurous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a change of scenery, typically a holiday, that serves as a catalyst for relationship building. Characters overcome initial differences by working together to solve a mystery or protect a magical discovery, solidifying their bond through a series of cooperative challenges.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific vibe: a feel-good, heartwarming atmosphere often set in picturesque locations like beaches. The emotional core is the development of 'found family' or deep friendship, supported by a steady, adventurous pace and a light emotional weight that makes for an easy, joyful watch.

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Movies Like Four Kids and It

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Every angle

Four Kids and It (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Four Kids and It in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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