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Girls Trip (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Girls Trip (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 122 min · English
Echo score 68
JustWatch #9,022 19
Directed by
Malcolm D. Lee
Starring
Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Queen Latifah, Deborah Ayorinde, Mike Colter
Budget
$19M

Four lifelong friends—Ryan, Sasha, Lisa, and Dina—reconnect for a wild and liberating trip to New Orleans' Essence Festival. As they let loose and embrace the city's vibrant atmosphere, they rediscover their unbreakable bond through spontaneous dance parties, plenty of drinks, and unexpected romantic encounters, ultimately finding a renewed zest for life and friendship.

Comedy 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 Girls Trip
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Girls Trip (2017)

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

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Girls Trip Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Girls Trip (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. The Flossy Posse Reunion

    Four lifelong friends, known as the Flossy Posse, start to drift apart due to their individual challenges and life changes. Ryan, a rising lifestyle guru, seizes the opportunity to invite her friends to the Essence Music Festival to reconnect and rejuvenate their bond.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Various Locations

  2. The Gossip Tip

    While on the trip, Sasha receives an anonymous tip that suggests Ryan's husband, Stewart, is having an affair with an Instagram model. Torn between loyalty and honesty, the friends initially hesitate to tell Ryan about it.

    When
    During Trip
    Where
    Hotel Room

  3. The Truth is Revealed

    During a candid moment, Dina inadvertently spills the beans about Stewart's alleged infidelity. To the shock of the group, Ryan reveals she was already aware and that she and Stewart are working through their issues in couples counseling.

    When
    After Dinner
    Where
    Hotel Room

  4. Dina's Confrontation

    In a fit of anger, Dina confronts Stewart at the hotel and threatens him with a bottle. This reckless act leads to her ejection from the hotel and a ban from the establishment, causing tension among the friends.

    When
    After the Revelation
    Where
    Hotel

  5. New Accommodations

    After leaving the hotel in solidarity with Dina, the women find themselves at a rundown, one-star motel. This unforeseen turn adds a layer of humor and camaraderie to their adventure as they navigate their temporary new lodging.

    When
    Nighttime
    Where
    One-Star Motel

  6. Meeting Old Friends

    At the Essence Festival, the ladies reconnect with their old friend Julian, who brings a whirlwind of nostalgia and unexpected flirtations. Meanwhile, Lisa catches the eye of Malik, leading to potential romantic sparks.

    When
    Festival Day
    Where
    Essence Festival

  7. Ryan Flirts with Julian

    After a concert, Ryan attempts to flirt with Julian in a flirtatious yet respectful manner. However, Julian politely declines, given Ryan's marital status, yet offers his suite, showcasing his supportive friendship.

    When
    Post-Concert
    Where
    Concert Venue

  8. Unexpected Crash

    During a cooking demonstration that Ryan holds with Stewart, things take a chaotic turn when his mistress, Simone, unexpectedly crashes the event. This intrusion complicates Ryan's professional aspirations and adds to the tensions of their relationship.

    When
    Day of the Event
    Where
    Cooking Demonstration

  9. The Absinthe Incident

    The group indulges in absinthe, leading to wild hallucinations and chaotic antics. Their distorted perceptions cause confusion and disrupt Ryan's important business meeting with potential investors.

    When
    Late Night
    Where
    Bar

  10. Tensions at the Club

    The women confront Stewart's mistress at the club, leading to a dramatic dance-off. The situation escalates into a bar fight, showcasing the group's fierce loyalty to each other amidst the chaos.

    When
    Nighttime
    Where
    Club

  11. Aftermath of Chaos

    After being saved from potential arrest by Julian, the women deal with the aftermath of their tumultuous night. The events leave them reflecting on their actions and the strained dynamics of their friendships.

    When
    Early Morning
    Where
    Hotel Room

  12. The Business Proposal

    Despite personal conflicts, Ryan and Stewart receive a lucrative business proposal from Bestmart. The uncertain ground of their relationship complicates Ryan's decision-making regarding the deal and her future.

    When
    Day After Festival
    Where
    Business Meeting

  13. The Public Revelation

    Stewart's mistress publicly reveals information about their affair, leading to a tense confrontation among the friends. This disclosure triggers accusations and deepens the rift within the group, challenging their bond.

    When
    Shortly After Business Meeting
    Where
    Public Location

  14. Reconciliation Among Friends

    Despite initial disputes and the gravity of their revelations, Dina and Lisa quickly reconcile, demonstrating the strength of their friendship. They stand by Sasha as she chooses integrity over her gossip blog.

    When
    Day After Conflict
    Where
    Motel Room

  15. Ryan's Keynote Speech

    During her keynote speech at the Essence Festival, Ryan begins by denying her husband’s infidelity. However, inspired by the support of her friends, she pivots to embrace her truth, confirming his betrayal and asserting her commitment to self-respect.

    When
    Keynote Speech Day
    Where
    Essence Festival Stage

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 06:41

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Timeline questions answered

Girls Trip Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does Ryan already know about Stewart's affair before her friends tell her?

Ryan reveals she already knows about Stewart's infidelity when the friends confront her. She explains that she and Stewart are actively working through their marriage issues in couples counseling, suggesting she discovered the affair earlier and chose to address it privately with her husband rather than immediately ending the relationship.

  • ryan
  • stewart
  • affair
  • infidelity
  • counseling
Q2

Why does Dina confront Stewart at the hotel with a bottle?

Dina learns about Stewart's affair through an anonymous tip and, known for her impulsive nature, immediately confronts him at the hotel. Her aggressive reaction, threatening him with a bottle, leads to her being ejected and banned from the hotel, causing the group to leave in solidarity.

  • dina
  • stewart
  • confrontation
  • bottle
  • hotel
Q3

Why do the friends leave the hotel in solidarity after Dina's confrontation?

After Dina is kicked out and banned from the hotel for confronting Stewart, the other three friends, Ryan, Sasha, and Lisa, choose to leave with her in a show of loyalty and friendship. They end up at a rundown one-star motel together, strengthening their bond through shared hardship.

  • friends
  • solidarity
  • hotel
  • motel
  • loyalty
Q4

What causes the absinthe hallucination scene in the movie?

The group decides to drink absinthe at a bar, which triggers wild hallucinations. They begin seeing each other and their surroundings in distorted, ridiculous ways. This chaotic scene interrupts Ryan's important business meeting with potential investors, creating comedic mayhem.

  • absinthe
  • hallucination
  • chaos
  • meeting
  • drinks
Q5

Why does Ryan initially deny her husband's infidelity during her keynote speech?

During her keynote speech at the Essence Festival, Ryan initially denies the affair because she is nervous about the public revelation and its impact on her career and image. However, when she sees her friends enter the venue to support her, she gains the courage to tell the truth, pivoting her speech to focus on authenticity and self-respect.

  • ryan
  • speech
  • truth
  • keynote
  • authenticity
Q6

What triggers the fight between the friends after Stewart's mistress reveals the affair?

When Stewart's mistress publicly reveals information about the affair, tensions escalate among the friends. Accusations fly, particularly directed at Ryan for staying with Stewart despite knowing about the infidelity. This public revelation creates a temporary rift in the group as they struggle with feelings of betrayal and disagreement over how Ryan handled the situation.

  • mistress
  • affair
  • fight
  • accusation
  • rift
Q7

How do the friends reconcile after their argument about the affair?

Dina and Lisa quickly reconcile after their initial clash. More importantly, they support Sasha when she decides to shut down her gossip blog, choosing integrity over money. Motivated by their renewed friendship and loyalty, the three women unite to rescue Ryan and help her through her relationship crisis, demonstrating the strength of their bond.

  • reconciliation
  • friendship
  • support
  • sasha
  • blog
Q8

What happens with Ryan and Stewart's Bestmart deal after the scandal?

Despite the personal chaos surrounding the affair revelation, Ryan and Stewart receive a lucrative business proposal from Bestmart. The deal appears to move forward despite their marital troubles, though Ryan's ultimate decision to expose Stewart publicly during her speech creates uncertainty about whether the partnership continues after her truth-telling moment.

  • bestmart
  • business
  • deal
  • proposal
  • stewart
Q9

Why does Ryan offer Sasha a business partnership at the end?

After Ryan publicly confirms Stewart's betrayal and her decision to value herself, she recognizes the true value of her friends' loyalty and support. Moved by Sasha's integrity in shutting down her gossip blog, Ryan offers Sasha the opportunity to become her business partner, fulfilling a dream they shared since their early twenties.

  • ryan
  • sasha
  • business
  • partnership
  • dream
Q10

Why does Lisa hold back from being with Malik at the festival?

Despite clear mutual attraction, Lisa becomes intimidated by Malik's impressive physique and hesitates to pursue a romantic encounter with him. Her hesitation stems from her recent divorce and insecurities about getting back into the dating scene, causing her to ultimately pull back from their planned rendezvous.

  • lisa
  • malik
  • attraction
  • hesitation
  • divorce
Q11

Why does Sasha decide to shut down her gossip blog?

After witnessing the devastating impact of rumors and betrayal on Ryan's life, Sasha chooses integrity over profitability. She decides to shut down her gossip blog, recognizing that spreading rumors and invasive gossip causes real harm to people, even though it means giving up her failing business.

  • sasha
  • blog
  • gossip
  • integrity
  • closure

Movie threads

More Movies Like Girls Trip, by Mood & Story

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

Wild Trip Comedies like Girls Trip

Hilarious and chaotic group vacations that test and strengthen lifelong friendships. If you loved the hilarious chaos of Girls Trip, explore more movies about friends reconnecting on unforgettable vacations. These films capture the energy of wild parties, spontaneous adventures, and the enduring power of female friendship, perfect for a fun and uplifting watch.

  • raucous
  • hilarious
  • chaotic
  • celebratory
  • liberating
  • energetic
  • Tone: light, humorous, celebratory
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a predictable but enjoyable arc: friends reunite for a trip, encounter a series of comedic misadventures and conflicts (often involving romance or secrets), and ultimately resolve their issues, emerging with a stronger and more authentic connection.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared focus on friendship, a fast-paced and event-driven plot centered around a trip, a consistently light and humorous tone, and the ultimate theme of reconnection and personal liberation amidst the chaos.

Girls Trip movie poster

Girls Trip

2017
Vacation Friends movie poster

Vacation Friends

2021
Vacation Friends 2 movie poster

Vacation Friends 2

2023
Bad Trip movie poster

Bad Trip

2021
EuroTrip movie poster

EuroTrip

2004
Road Trip: Beer Pong movie poster

Road Trip: Beer Pong

2009
Road Trip movie poster

Road Trip

2000
Just Friends movie poster

Just Friends

2005

Celebratory Female Friendship Movies like Girls Trip

Uplifting stories about the joyous, complicated, and unbreakable bonds between women. Fans of the sisterhood in Girls Trip will enjoy these movies that center on the powerful, funny, and heartfelt bonds between women. Discover similar stories of reconnection, authenticity, and unwavering support that celebrate the complexity and joy of female friendships.

  • warm
  • celebratory
  • hilarious
  • heartfelt
  • liberating
  • supportive
  • Tone: warm, light, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central group of female friends navigating a personal or collective crisis or celebration. The journey emphasizes communication, forgiveness, and rediscovering their individual and collective strength, leading to a positive and affirming conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core thematic focus on the nuances of female friendship, a warm and often humorous tone, a balance of heartfelt moments with comedic relief, and an ending that reinforces the value and resilience of the friend group.

My Best Friend movie poster

My Best Friend

2007
Just Friends movie poster

Just Friends

2005
Forever Female movie poster

Forever Female

1953
The Fabulous Four movie poster

The Fabulous Four

2024
My Best Friend's Girl movie poster

My Best Friend's Girl

2008
Spa Weekend movie poster

Spa Weekend

2026
Like a Boss movie poster

Like a Boss

2020
Legally Blonde movie poster

Legally Blonde

2001

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Every angle

Girls Trip (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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