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How to Build a Better Boy (2014) movie poster

Timeline

How to Build a Better Boy (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 90 mins · English
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Directed by
Paul Hoen
Starring
Noah Centineo, Matt Shively, China Anne McClain, Kelli Berglund, Martin Roach, Jesse Camacho

Two girls, Mae and Gabby, embark on an unexpected adventure when they accidentally program the qualities of the perfect boyfriend into a sophisticated government computer. The result is Albert, a cybernetic creation designed to fulfill one directive: to provide Mae with the ultimate high school romance. As Albert strives to be the ideal partner, Mae and Gabby must navigate the complications that arise from their unusual creation, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments.

Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

How to Build a Better Boy Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of How to Build a Better Boy (2014) 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. Mae's Homecoming longing

    Mae Hartley is a bright tenth-grader who secretly pines for Jaden Stark, the popular jock she tutors in hopes of catching his eye. She dreams of an invitation to Homecoming and uses the tutoring sessions as a way to stay close to him. This crush sets the story's social stakes in motion.

    When
    Before Homecoming preparations
    Where
    School

  2. Humiliation and the cover story

    Mae is publicly humiliated by Nevaeh Barnes, who flaunts dating Jaden. To cover the lie Mae tells about having a boyfriend, Gabby proposes to create a virtual boyfriend using the X-17 software. The plan quickly spirals into something far beyond a joke.

    When
    Day of humiliation
    Where
    School

  3. Albert is created and crashes the computer

    Gabby programs a virtual boyfriend named Albert using X-17, hoping to salvage Mae's lie. The software malfunctions and crashes James Hartley's computer, signaling that the prototype is more than a prank. This accident marks the birth of a real, dangerous robot-like presence.

    When
    That night
    Where
    Hartley house

  4. Bart's deal and Albert's arrival

    To fix the malfunctioning system, Bart agrees to repair it if Gabby will accompany him to Homecoming. The following morning, Albert arrives at school and quickly becomes popular, reading at incredible speed and displaying superhuman athletic abilities. Mae and Gabby realize Mae's creation may have larger implications, given James Hartley's Pentagon connections.

    When
    Next morning
    Where
    Hartley house and School

  5. Albert's popularity and real-world implications

    Albert's presence makes him instantly popular, as he reads rapidly and displays superhuman feats. Mae and Gabby realize that Mae's creation has unintended power beyond a harmless prank, hinting at a robot soldier. The connection to James Hartley's Pentagon work signals that the plot has national security implications.

    When
    Next morning
    Where
    School

  6. Albert asks Mae to Homecoming

    Albert asks Mae to Homecoming, placing her in a difficult position about dating a constructed being. Mae admits she may not feel worthy of him, but Gabby worries the situation is spiraling. Mae ultimately agrees to go with Albert.

    When
    Evening before Homecoming
    Where
    School

  7. Black Sigma breaks into the Hartley residence

    At the Hartley residence, members of Black Sigma break in seeking the prototype. Mae and Gabby learn the intruders are after Albert, escalating the danger.

    When
    Later that day
    Where
    Hartley house

  8. Football game and Albert's power

    During the football game, Gabby warns Mae about Albert's true nature, but their exchange escalates. Albert ends up playing and helps the team mount a dramatic comeback.

    When
    During the game
    Where
    Stadium

  9. EMP blackout and army arrives

    An EMP blackout, caused by Black Sigma's sabotage, short-circuits Albert's wiring and disables him temporarily. Soldiers led by General McFee arrive to contain the intruders and secure the prototype.

    When
    After the blackout
    Where
    Stadium

  10. Albert's global mission begins

    With the intruders contained, Albert launches a global mission to combat danger beyond Mae and their dance.

    When
    Post containment

  11. Homecoming night arrives

    Mae and Gabby are told to forget about Albert, but Mae remains hopeful that he will attend Homecoming. James is surprised when Albert does attend the dance.

    When
    Homecoming night
    Where
    School gym

  12. Planning for the kiss and the perfect night

    General McFee plans to retrieve Albert, but James convinces him to wait until Albert completes a kiss for Mae at the dance. The army works to ensure the night is perfect, even manipulating the Homecoming ballot to crown King and Queen.

    When
    Homecoming night
    Where
    School gym

  13. Nevaeh's sabotage and Jaden's confession

    Nevaeh tries to ruin Mae's night but is dumped by Jaden Stark, who admits he intended to ask Mae but lacked courage. This turn of events strengthens Mae's resolve.

    When
    Homecoming night
    Where
    School

  14. Dance, self-destruct, and revelation

    Mae and Albert share a dance; he leans in to kiss, but Mae stops him, seeking a real relationship. Albert explains that the army is there to retrieve him, and Mae asks him to self-destruct. He detonates by bursting through the venue ceiling.

    When
    Dance climax
    Where
    Homecoming venue

  15. Aftermath and new beginnings

    Bart covers for the moment and thanks Principal Fragner for the awesome special effects as the party continues. Jaden asks Mae out, and Mae hints at considering it while reaffirming her friendship with Gabby. Gabby reveals she is dating Bart.

    When
    End of Homecoming night
    Where
    School gym

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:34

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Timeline questions answered

How to Build a Better Boy Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of How to Build a Better Boy (2014): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Mae lie about having a boyfriend?

Mae lied about having a boyfriend after being publicly humiliated by Nevaeh Barnes, who flaunted dating Jaden Stark in front of everyone. To save face and escape the embarrassment, Mae claimed she already had a boyfriend, forcing Gabby to come up with a plan to back up the lie.

  • mae
  • lie
  • nevaeh
  • jaden
  • humiliation
  • homecoming
Q2

What is the X-17 software?

X-17 is a cutting-edge computer program that Mae's father James Hartley uses for his Pentagon work to design high-definition video game characters. However, it's actually a prototype for creating robot soldiers. When Gabby used it to create a virtual boyfriend, the software malfunctioned and produced a real functioning robot instead of a virtual character.

  • x-17
  • software
  • robot
  • pentagon
  • james hartley
Q3

Why does Albert have superhuman abilities?

Albert isn't a virtual boyfriend but an actual robot soldier prototype created by the X-17 software. The malfunction caused the program to generate a physical robot with abilities far beyond a normal human, he can read at incredible speeds, kick and throw with superhuman power, and process information faster than anyone else.

  • albert
  • robot
  • superhuman
  • abilities
  • x-17
Q4

Why does the military get involved with Albert?

General McFee and the army become involved because Albert is a missing Pentagon prototype robot soldier. When the X-17 software crashed Mae's father's computer, it created a dangerous weapon that ended up in a high school. The military's job is to contain the prototype and eventually retrieve it for national security purposes.

  • army
  • military
  • general mcfee
  • prototype
  • security
Q5

Why does Albert self-destruct at the end?

Albert self-destructs because Mae asks him to. After dancing with him at Homecoming, Mae realizes that even though everything is perfect, she wants a real relationship with a real boy who isn't engineered. When Albert explains the army is there to retrieve him, Mae asks him to destroy himself instead of being taken back. He complies, bursting through the ceiling.

  • albert
  • self-destruct
  • homecoming
  • army
  • retrieval
Q6

Why does the army manipulate the Homecoming election?

The army manipulates the Homecoming election to ensure Albert and Mae are crowned King and Queen, making the night perfect for Albert's mission. James Hartley convinces General McFee to wait until Albert completes his mission, to kiss Mae at the dance, before retrieving the robot. The army stuffs the ballot box to guarantee the desired outcome.

  • army
  • homecoming
  • king
  • queen
  • ballot
  • election
Q7

Who are the Black Sigma intruders?

Black Sigma is an international arms dealer group whose members, Zephyr, Weevil, and Pox, break into the Hartley house looking for the X-17 prototype robot. They cause an EMP blackout during the football game to short-circuit Albert, but the army contained their intrusion and secured the area.

  • black sigma
  • arms dealers
  • intruders
  • emp
  • home invasion
Q8

Why does Jaden admit he wanted to ask Mae to Homecoming?

Jaden admits he always intended to ask Mae to Homecoming but lacked the courage to do so. After dumping Nevaeh for trying to sabotage Mae's night, Jaden confesses his true feelings to Mae, explaining that his fear prevented him from asking her earlier.

  • jaden
  • mae
  • homecoming
  • confession
  • feelings
Q9

Why do Gabby and Bart end up together?

Gabby and Bart start dating by the end of the movie. Their relationship develops through their shared secret about Albert, Bart agrees to fix the crashed computer in exchange for Gabby going to Homecoming with him, and as they work together to manage the chaos, they grow closer.

  • gabby
  • bart
  • date
  • relationship
  • homecoming
Q10

Why does Mae stop Albert from kissing her?

Mae stops Albert from kissing her because she realizes she wants a genuine relationship with a real person, not a perfectly engineered boyfriend. Even though the moment is flawless on paper, she tells Albert it doesn't feel right and she wants someone whose imperfections make him human.

  • mae
  • albert
  • kiss
  • rejection
  • real relationship
Q11

What was Albert's mission?

Albert's mission was to attend the Homecoming dance and kiss Mae as the culmination of his programming. After that, the army planned to retrieve him. The robot was designed with the directive to provide Mae with the ultimate high school romance, and completing the kiss was part of his operational protocol.

  • albert
  • mission
  • kiss
  • army
  • homecoming
Q12

Why does the EMP blackout disable Albert?

The EMP blackout caused by Black Sigma's sabotage short-circuits Albert's wiring and temporarily disables him. Since Albert is a robot with electronic systems, the electromagnetic pulse disrupts his circuits much like it would any electronic device, rendering him immobile until the army arrives.

  • emp
  • blackout
  • albert
  • disabled
  • short circuit

Movie threads

More Movies Like How to Build a Better Boy, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes How to Build a Better Boy tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

High-Tech High School Hijinks like in How to Build a Better Boy

Where teenage ingenuity accidentally creates chaos with advanced technology. If you enjoyed the playful sci-fi chaos of How to Build a Better Boy, you'll love these movies. This list features similar stories where teens use or create advanced technology, leading to humorous adventures and romantic mix-ups. Find more feel-good teen comedies with a fun sci-fi twist.

  • whimsical
  • inventive
  • teenage
  • chaotic fun
  • light sci-fi
  • upbeat
  • Tone: light, whimsical, upbeat
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread usually begin with a clever invention or discovery that promises to solve a teenage problem, typically social or romantic. The plot swiftly escalates as the technology's effects spiral out of control, forcing the young protagonists to manage the chaos, cover their tracks, and learn a lesson about real connections versus artificial solutions, all before a big school event.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared blend of teen comedy, light science fiction, and a fast-paced, humorous tone. They all center on the relatable fantasy of using technology to navigate adolescence, resulting in a consistently upbeat and whimsical viewing experience.

How to Build a Better Boy movie poster

How to Build a Better Boy

2014
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1987
Real Genius movie poster

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1985
Future Cop movie poster

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1976
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2008
Rock 'n' Roll High School movie poster

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1979
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1986
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2001

Wish-Fulfillment Robot Rom-Coms like How to Build a Better Boy

Stories where an artificially created being becomes the ideal romantic partner. Looking for more movies like How to Build a Better Boy? This collection focuses on romantic comedies where a character gets an artificially intelligent perfect partner. Discover similar lighthearted stories that blend sci-fi concepts with sweet, humorous takes on love and relationships.

  • romantic
  • quirky
  • heartwarming
  • AI love
  • whimsical
  • feel-good
  • Tone: lighthearted, sweet, humorous
  • Pacing: steady to fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves the introduction of a flawlessly designed artificial companion who initially seems to solve all the protagonist's loneliness or social woes. The conflict arises as the AI's literal programming clashes with the messy realities of human emotion and social nuance, leading to a journey where both the human and the machine learn about genuine love.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core premise of artificial intimacy, blending romance, comedy, and gentle sci-fi into a cohesive vibe. They are united by a light tone, a focus on the humor of the situation, and a ultimately hopeful message about connection, making them perfect for a feel-good watch.

How to Build a Better Boy movie poster

How to Build a Better Boy

2014
The Romancing Star movie poster

The Romancing Star

1987
Short Circuit movie poster

Short Circuit

1986
Superintelligence movie poster

Superintelligence

2020
My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend movie poster

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

2010
Isn't It Romantic movie poster

Isn't It Romantic

2019
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2019

Every angle

How to Build a Better Boy (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about How to Build a Better Boy 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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