Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
Meow (2018) movie poster

Timeline

Meow (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 90 mins · Spanish
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Ignacio Estaregui
Starring
Luisa Gavasa, José Luis Gil, Manuel Manquiña, Álvaro de Luna

Four retired men, feeling the weight of boredom, seek a spark to revitalize their lives. While Telmo attempts to entertain himself by writing, he reconnects with his childhood friends, Mornreal, recently released from prison, and another unnamed friend. Concerned by their stagnant routines, Mornreal devises a daring plan to inject some excitement into their days, leading them on a chaotic and unexpected adventure that involves a museum robbery.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (11)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

11 events in order · contains spoilers

Meow Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Meow (2018) 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. Meow King Sends Messengers to Earth

    Thousands of years ago, the Meow king begins sending messengers to Earth to prepare for an invasion. However, every messenger who travels to Earth never returns. This failure forces the king to set aside his invasion plans for ages.

    When
    Thousands of years ago
    Where
    Meow planet

  2. Plan Revived and a Warrior Chosen

    With the plan revived, the Meow king selects Pudding—the bravest and mightiest warrior—to lead the mission. His selection marks the beginning of a renewed expedition to Earth. The journey toward invasion is officially underway.

    When
    Before departure
    Where
    Meow planet

  3. Pudding Embarks Toward Earth

    Pudding departs Meow and travels toward Earth to begin the invasion. The voyage foreshadows the challenges he will face on the new world. The mission's start hinges on the outcome of this crossing.

    When
    During journey
    Where
    Space en route to Earth

  4. Loses the Divine Device and Powers

    During the voyage, Pudding loses the divine Meow device that protects him from Earth's particles. As a result, he loses his divine powers and becomes vulnerable. The loss marks a turning point in his mission.

    When
    During journey
    Where
    Space

  5. Transformation into Sai-sai-lei

    Without the device and powers, Pudding grows into a giant fat cat named Sai-sai-lei. The transformation is physical and dramatic, altering his identity and approach to Earth.

    When
    Immediately after device loss
    Where
    Space

  6. Adopted by Ng Family on Earth

    Sai-sai-lei is adopted by the Ng Sau-lung family on Earth. The household includes Ng Sau-lung, his wife Chow Lai-chu, their elder son Ng Yau-choi, and younger daughter Ng Yau-yau. The family welcomes the unlikely pet and becomes his new guardians.

    When
    Upon arrival on Earth
    Where
    Ng family home

  7. Hiding and Planning

    Hidden within the Ng home, Sai-sai-lei initially plots to trigger chaos that would pave the way for an invasion. He keeps his true purpose concealed as he learns about Earth and the family. The tension between duty and warmth starts to grow.

    When
    Early days after adoption
    Where
    Ng home

  8. Growing Bond with the Family

    Over time, Sai-sai-lei experiences genuine warmth and trust from the Ng family. He begins to understand love and sincerity, which challenges his warrior mindset. The idea of invasion starts to feel increasingly distant.

    When
    Weeks after adoption
    Where
    Ng home

  9. Loss of Warfare Desire

    Moved by the family's kindness, Sai-sai-lei abandons his plan for warfare. He chooses to remain with them and protect the family rather than fulfill a conquest. The Meow mission shifts from aggression to guardianship.

    When
    After forming attachment
    Where
    Ng home

  10. The Device Returns

    One day, the divine Meow device reappears, restoring Sai-sai-lei's powers and rekindling the possibility of invasion. The situation shifts once again as he regains his formidable abilities. The future of Earth remains uncertain.

    When
    One day later
    Where
    Unknown

  11. Uncertain Future After Recovery

    With the device back in his possession, Sai-sai-lei's path becomes uncertain, as his powers could be used to resume the invasion or stay loyal to the family. The story ends on a note of possibilities rather than a resolved outcome.

    When
    After device recovery
    Where
    Unknown

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:20

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Meow Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Meow (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Pudding lose his divine powers on the way to Earth?

Pudding lost his divine powers because he misplaced the sacred Meow device during his space journey. This device was essential for protecting him from Earth's hostile particles, and without it, he became vulnerable and lost his supernatural abilities.

  • pudding
  • divine powers
  • meow device
  • earth
  • lost device
Q2

How did the warrior Pudding become the cat Sai-sai-lei?

After losing the divine Meow device that protected him from Earth's environment, Pudding underwent a dramatic physical transformation. Without the device's protective powers, he transformed from a lean, mighty warrior into a large, plump cat named Sai-sai-lei.

  • pudding
  • sai-sai-lei
  • transformation
  • warrior
  • cat
Q3

Why did Sai-sai-lei abandon the invasion plan?

Sai-sai-lei abandoned the invasion after experiencing genuine warmth and kindness from the Ng family. Living with Ng Sau-lung, Chow Lai-chu, and their children, he came to understand love and loyalty, which gradually softened his warrior mindset and made the idea of conquering Earth feel wrong.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Sai-sai-lei observing the family's daily interactions, hinting at his growing emotional connection.

  • sai-sai-lei
  • invasion
  • ng family
  • change of heart
  • love
Q4

What is the divine Meow device and what does it do?

The divine Meow device is a sacred tool that protects Meow beings from Earth's hostile particles. Without it, a Meow warrior loses their divine powers and becomes vulnerable to the Earth's environment, as demonstrated when Pudding lost his abilities after misplacing the device.

  • divine device
  • meow
  • powers
  • protection
  • earth particles
Q5

What happened to all the messengers the Meow king sent to Earth?

The Meow king sent numerous messengers to Earth over thousands of years to prepare for an invasion, but every single messenger vanished without returning. This pattern of failures forced the king to abandon his invasion plans for ages until deciding to try again.

  • messengers
  • meow king
  • earth
  • vanished
  • invasion
Q6

What caused Sai-sai-lei to change his mind about conquering Earth?

Sai-sai-lei's perspective shifted through everyday experiences with the Ng family. Acts of kindness, sincere care, and the warmth of family life gradually eroded his military objectives. The genuine bonds he formed made conflict feel meaningless compared to the value of belonging.

  • sai-sai-lei
  • change
  • family
  • earth
  • conquest
  • humanity
Q7

Will Sai-sai-lei invade Earth after finding the device again?

The story ends with the device reappearing and restoring Sai-sai-lei's powers, but his ultimate decision remains uncertain. Having experienced love and loyalty with the Ng family, he now faces a choice between resuming his invasion mission or protecting the family that welcomed him.

  • device returned
  • invasion
  • sai-sai-lei
  • powers
  • decision
  • ending
Q8

Why did the Ng family take in Sai-sai-lei as a pet?

The Ng family found Sai-sai-lei and chose to adopt him into their home, which included Ng Sau-lung, his wife Chow Lai-chu, their older son Ng Yau-choi, and younger daughter Ng Yau-yau. They welcomed the unusual giant cat without knowing his true identity or purpose on Earth.

  • ng family
  • adopted
  • sai-sai-lei
  • pet
  • home
Q9

Why did the Meow king decide to invade Earth after so many years?

After thousands of years of inactivity due to failed missions, the Meow king revived his invasion plans and selected Pudding as the bravest warrior to lead it. The specific reasons for timing are not detailed, but the king clearly believed the time was right to attempt conquest again.

  • meow king
  • invasion
  • earth
  • revived
  • plans
  • warrior

Movie threads

More Movies Like Meow, by Mood & Story

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

Gentle chaotic uplift like in Meow

Characters find unexpected happiness when their orderly lives are joyfully disrupted. If you enjoyed the lighthearted chaos and heartwarming transformation in Meow, this thread features movies where characters find joy and change when their predictable lives are delightfully upended by an unexpected adventure or companion.

  • whimsical
  • heartwarming
  • comedic
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • uplifting
  • Tone: whimsical, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow characters trapped in mundane or stagnant lives whose worlds are turned upside down by a whimsical or chaotic event. This disruption, while initially unsettling, ultimately serves as a catalyst for positive growth, newfound connections, and a more joyful existence.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on lighthearted, whimsical disruptions that lead to positive character arcs. They balance comedic chaos with a core of genuine warmth and uplift, resulting in an experience that is playful, hopeful, and emotionally rewarding.

Turnabout movie poster

Turnabout

1940
Willy/Milly movie poster

Willy/Milly

1986
Bedazzled movie poster

Bedazzled

2000
Tortilla Heaven movie poster

Tortilla Heaven

2007
Nanny McPhee movie poster

Nanny McPhee

2006
Happily N'Ever After movie poster

Happily N'Ever After

2007
Freaky Friday movie poster

Freaky Friday

2003
Hiling movie poster

Hiling

1998

Found family stories like in Meow

When disparate souls come together, they create a new and unconventional home. Fans of the found family dynamic in Meow will enjoy these movies about groups of misfits or old friends who find connection and purpose together. Discover similar comedies and adventures centered on unconventional bonds.

  • heartwarming
  • comedic
  • uplifting
  • bonds
  • unlikely friends
  • supportive
  • Tone: heartwarming, comedic
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves characters who are initially isolated or disconnected finding common ground and forming a deep, familial bond. Through a shared experience or goal, they learn to rely on and care for each other, often overcoming a personal or external challenge as a united front.

Why they belong together: These movies share the core theme of 'found family' as a central emotional pillar. The focus is on the heartwarming, often humorous, process of building trust and affection among characters who start as strangers or distant acquaintances, resulting in a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging.

Family Troubles movie poster

Family Troubles

1943
Family Plan movie poster

Family Plan

1997
Father Is a Bachelor movie poster

Father Is a Bachelor

1950
Old Dogs movie poster

Old Dogs

2009
Family Circus movie poster

Family Circus

2001
Finders Keepers movie poster

Finders Keepers

1984
Undercover Angel movie poster

Undercover Angel

1999
A Family Affair movie poster

A Family Affair

2024

Every angle

Meow (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Meow 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app