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The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018) movie poster

Plot Summary

The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 83 min · French
Echo score 83
Directed by
Benjamin Renner, Patrick Imbert
Starring
Guillaume Bouchède, Antoine Schoumsky, Augustin Jahn-Sani, Boris Rehlinger, Céline Ronté, Damien Witecka
Budget
$3M

In a picturesque, yet deceptively peaceful setting, a clever fox unexpectedly finds himself caring for a litter of chicks. Simultaneously, a rabbit takes on the guise of a stork, and a duck develops an unusual fascination with Christmas and Santa Claus. These interwoven stories explore themes of family, identity, and the magic of the holiday season, creating a charming and whimsical adventure for audiences of all ages.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018)

Where can you watch The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Kanopy and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As the curtain rises on this enchanting tale, a delightful troupe of animal performers takes center stage, with the suave Fox gracing the audience as their emcee. With excitement palpable, the audience is treated to an introductory performance, setting the scene for three unique narratives that are about to unfold. The stage is lit, and the anticipation grows as the play leaps into high gear.

The first story transports us to a picturesque French farm, where three farmhands—Pork, Bunny, and Duck—are entrusted with the care of Pauline, a precious newborn left in their care by Stork, who claims to be temporarily incapacitated. As it becomes increasingly clear that the last two members of this trio are although earnest, utterly incompetent, the stakes for Pauline's safety become ever more pressing. Initially reluctant to embrace his parental role, Pork rises magnificently to the occasion, trying to compensate for his bumbling companions as they navigate a series of uproarious blunders and misunderstandings.

From narrowly evading an ominous pike lurking in the waters to mistakenly sending Pauline off to China instead of Avignon, their antics are both hilarious and heartwarming. In the end, their determination shines through, as Pauline is finally reunited with her family. As they bid farewell to this little charge, the farmhands return to their home, only to uncover a shocking revelation: Stork's supposed injury was merely a ruse, revealing his laziness. In a twist of poetic justice, Pork decides to take revenge on the slothful Stork, launching him sky-high with an elaborate catapult contraption.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the forest, a cunning Fox finds himself in trouble, having been thwarted in his culinary pursuits by a clever farm whose feathery residents are not so easily caught. His misadventures begin when his plan to snare some chickens goes awry, leaving him munching on radishes abandoned by Pork. Seeking counsel, he turns to Wolf, who proposes a devious plot to steal three chicken eggs, allowing them to grow before devouring them with glee. However, fate intervenes as the chicks accept him as their maternal figure, leading Fox to become deeply invested in their welfare.

As his maternal instincts blossom, Fox hatches a daring plan to rescue the chicks from Wolf by disguising himself and infiltrating the farm in a comical chicken costume. To his surprise, he discovers that the lead chick, the very one from whose eggs he had stolen, has started the formidable Fox Extermination Club. This club, led by a vengeful chick, is on a mission to eradicate Fox, turning tables on their "rescuer."

For a time, Fox manages to elude capture, but the tide turns as the chicks succumb to their unbridled instincts, even staging a dinner where they invite a live fox! Heartbroken and disenchanted, Fox sees his young charges abandon him for Wolf, who schemes to have them as his next meal. Just when all seems lost, Fox intervenes, using his cunning to save the chicks while they escape to safety.

In a twist of fate, the lead chick, the true mother of the clutch, finds her lost offspring and, horrified by their actions, unites with a group of chickens to confront Wolf, who had earlier let Fox in on his nefarious plans. With Wolf defeated, the lead chick makes a deal with Fox: he can visit the chicks and will help them learn self-defense against predators.

Grieving yet accepting his newfound role, Fox steps into this new chapter as a protector of the flock. As he gazes fondly upon the chicks, he realizes that he has found his true purpose—not as an enemy, but as a guardian, vowing to use his cleverness for their well-being.

As winter festivities draw near on the farm, mischief brews as Bunny and Duck set off a chain of ridiculous events culminating in the destruction of a plastic Santa Claus hanging in the barn. Convinced they've thwarted the genuine Santa, the pair devises a scheme to take over his role and deliver gifts worldwide. In the midst of their antics, Pork gets inadvertently swept into chaos, ending up at the local pound, where he is joyfully reunited with Bunny and Duck amidst a pack of spunky canines.

Utilizing their wits, ingenuity, and a splash of fortune, this trio manages to escape this predicament, stumbling upon the real Santa perched dangerously on a window. With a clever plan by Bunny and Duck, they rescue the iconic figure, earning his eternal gratitude. As a heartwarming reward, Santa invites them back to the farm, where they awaken on Christmas morning to find their wishes come true with gifts aplenty waiting for them.

As the credits roll, a nostalgic reunion occurs on the farm's stage—where the beloved characters come together once more—while a nimble frog sweeps away debris, tidying up the scene. And thus, the curtain gently falls on this enchanting holiday adventure, leaving viewers with warm hearts and smiles.

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 19:03

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Plot questions answered

The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Stork pretend to be injured?

Stork's injury was a complete ruse. He was simply too lazy to deliver the baby Pauline to her family, so he lied about being incapacitated to get the farmhands to do his job for him. When Pork discovers this deception, he gets revenge by launching Stork into the sky with a catapult.

  • stork
  • lazy
  • pauline
  • delivery
  • deception
Q2

Why does the Fox start caring for the chicks?

After stealing three chicken eggs from Wolf's plan, the Fox expects to eventually eat the chicks once they grow. However, when the eggs hatch and he witnesses the helpless baby birds, his maternal instincts kick in unexpectedly. He becomes genuinely attached to them and decides to protect them instead of consuming them.

Foreshadowing: The Fox's earlier failed attempts to catch chickens and his hunger after eating radishes set up his decision to steal eggs.

  • fox
  • chicks
  • maternal instincts
  • adoption
  • wolf
Q3

Why does the lead chick create the Fox Extermination Club?

The lead chick is the mother whose eggs were stolen by the Fox. When she discovers that the fox who took her eggs is now living among the chicks, she rallies the others to destroy him as revenge for stealing her family.

  • lead chick
  • fox extermination club
  • revenge
  • eggs
  • mother
Q4

Why does the lead chick ally with the Fox against Wolf?

When the chicks realize Wolf plans to eat them all, the true mother (the lead chick) puts aside her vendetta against the Fox. She joins forces with him because the Wolf is a far greater threat. Together, they defeat Wolf and establish a new arrangement where the Fox protects the chicks from predators.

  • lead chick
  • wolf
  • alliance
  • protection
  • enemies
Q5

Why do Bunny and Duck think they can become Santa?

After accidentally destroying a plastic Santa Claus decoration in the barn, Bunny and Duck mistakenly believe they've stopped the real Santa from delivering presents. Thinking Christmas is ruined, they decide to take over Santa's job themselves and deliver gifts worldwide.

  • bunny
  • duck
  • santa
  • christmas
  • misunderstanding
Q6

How does Pork end up at the local pound?

During Bunny and Duck's chaotic attempt to replace Santa, Pork gets inadvertently swept up in their mess and ends up at the local pound. However, he is joyfully reunited with Bunny and Duck there, and the trio uses their combined wits to escape back to the farm.

  • pork
  • pound
  • reunion
  • escape
  • dogs
Q7

Why does the Fox save the chicks after they abandoned him?

Even though the chicks abandoned the Fox to be with Wolf and even tried to have him killed through their Fox Extermination Club, the Fox cannot ignore that they are in mortal danger. His protective instincts override his hurt, and he uses his cunning to rescue them from becoming Wolf's meal.

  • fox
  • wolf
  • rescue
  • chicks
  • betrayal
Q8

How does the Fox become the chickens' protector?

After saving the chicks from Wolf, the Fox grieves the loss of his role as their caretaker but accepts a new purpose. The lead chick (their true mother) makes a deal with him: he can visit the chicks and will teach them self-defense against predators. The Fox embraces this transformation from hunter to guardian.

  • fox
  • protector
  • guardian
  • chickens
  • purpose
Q9

How do the farmhands get revenge on Stork?

When Pork discovers Stork faked his injury to avoid delivering Pauline, he builds an elaborate catapult contraption. He uses it to launch Stork sky-high as poetic justice for the stork's laziness and deception.

  • pork
  • stork
  • catapult
  • revenge
  • revenge
Q10

Why do the chicks invite a live fox to dinner?

The chicks, having given in to their natural predatory instincts despite being raised by the Fox, organize a dinner party and invite a live fox. This act of betrayal and回归 wild instincts devastates the Fox, who realizes the chicks never truly abandoned their predator nature.

  • chicks
  • fox
  • dinner
  • instincts
  • betrayal

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Charming Found Family Adventures like The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales

Mismatched groups discovering the meaning of family through gentle, humorous adventures. If you enjoyed the heartwarming story of the fox and his chicks in The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales, you'll love these movies. This list features whimsical stories where found families form through gentle, humorous adventures, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting and charming tales.

  • heartwarming
  • comical
  • gentle
  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • cozy
  • Tone: whimsical, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with isolated or mismatched characters whose circumstances force them together. Through a series of lighthearted, often comical challenges, they learn to cooperate and care for one another, culminating in a strong, affirming sense of belonging and a happy resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the transformative power of found family, conveyed through a gentle, humorous lens. They prioritize heartwarming character connections over intense drama, creating a consistently comforting and hopeful viewing experience.

Movies with Interwoven Whimsical Storylines like The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales

Multiple gentle, character-driven tales that charmingly intersect by the end. Fans of the three charming tales in The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales will enjoy these similar movies. This selection features stories with multiple, gently intersecting plotlines, all sharing a whimsical tone and a steady, comfortable pace, perfect for family viewing.

  • whimsical
  • charming
  • playful
  • interconnected
  • gentle
  • clever
  • Tone: whimsical, charming
  • Pacing: steady, clear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves introducing several separate storylines, each with its own comedic or heartfelt problem. These stories progress in parallel, often with light thematic connections, before cleverly converging in the final act to create a unified, uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films based on their unique narrative structure of weaving together multiple lighthearted plots. They share a steady pace, moderate complexity from the interconnected stories, and a collective tone that is consistently whimsical and charming.

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Movies Like The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales

Similar movies to The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales

The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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