Gooby

Willy's family relocates to a new house, and Willy resents leaving his old life behind. He fears the unfamiliar place and worries about starting at a new school. This move sets the stage for the arrival of Gooby and the upheaval that follows.

One day, a nearly six-foot-tall talking teddy bear named Gooby appears at Willy's new home, introducing himself as someone who wants to help. Willy is surprised and intrigued, but he also senses the potential trouble that such a friend could bring. Despite his fear of drawing attention, Willy decides to keep Gooby close and secret from his parents.

Willy resolves to keep Gooby hidden, believing it will preserve the safety he associates with his house. He makes space for Gooby in secret, avoiding his parents and seeking quiet rooms where the bear can operate unseen. The secrecy begins to fracture Willy's trust and family life.

With Willy away at school, Gooby grows bored and restless. He tricks the nanny by claiming critters inhabit the house, raids the kitchen for cookies, and scavenges the garage to assemble parts for Willy's imagined racer. His behavior escalates, making the new home feel more chaotic.

When Mr. Nerdlinger steps in as the substitute teacher, he catches sight of Gooby and becomes determined to photograph him. The prospect of fame motivates his obsession, and he starts planning how to capture proof of Gooby's existence. Willy feels the risk of exposure rising as Gooby's presence becomes harder to disguise.

Willy's association with Gooby causes trouble at school, and when Gooby shows up near Mr. Nerdlinger's class, Willy panics and earns two weeks of after-school detention for himself and three classmates. His classmates' perception of him worsens as rumors grow about the strange bear. The detentions deepen Willy's isolation and fear of losing his friends.

On Halloween, Willy and Gooby venture out in daylight and use Gooby's disguise to let Willy appear as his father with a costume. This ruse earns Willy new attention from the school's popular kids. Gooby even buys tickets to an R-rated action movie, cementing the unlikely trio's new friendship.

With Willy preoccupied by his new friends, Gooby becomes envious and feels left out. A heated argument erupts between them, and Gooby runs away, leaving Willy to face social life without his protector. The rift intensifies Willy's sense of isolation.

Willy's academic performance declines as his attention split between Gooby and friends. His grades slip and his parents begin to worry about the strain at home and school. The family begins to reconsider how much time they can devote to their son.

One night, Gooby returns and lures Willy to a surprising destination—the father's childhood home. The discovery is thrilling but terrifying as Willy and Gooby explore unfamiliar rooms and hidden memories. Willy's fear peaks when Gooby reveals the secret location.

While exploring the house, Willy breaks through the floor and is saved when his father arrives after Gooby uses Willy's cellphone to call him. In a poignant conversation, Gooby reminds Mr. Dandrige of how his own father never spent enough time with him, sparking a realization about parental priorities. The family begins to see that spending time together matters more than work.

Back home, Willy's mother and father decide to stop working so hard and devote more time to their son. They pledge to be more present during daily activities and to support Willy's interests. The combined change marks a turning point toward a more secure family life.

While shopping for materials to build a playhouse, the family foils Mr. Nerdlinger's attempt to photograph Gooby. Willy notices that Gooby has wandered off, signaling renewed risk of exposure. They manage to keep Gooby safe, at least for the moment.

Gooby explains to Willy that, because Willy is now happy and no longer afraid of imaginary creatures, it is time for Gooby to move on and help another child. The bond remains, but his purpose shifts toward supporting others in need. Willy accepts the change with gratitude.

Gooby transforms back into a teddy bear and offers himself to a little girl who has been ignored by her parents. Willy says goodbye as Gooby moves on to help another child. In a hopeful ending, Willy understands that safety can come from within and from the love around him.