Moneyball

Moneyball

Year: 2011

Runtime: 133 min

Language: English

Director: Bennett Miller

Budget: $50M

Drama

Facing payroll constraints, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane seeks a competitive edge by employing an unconventional data-driven approach to player recruitment. Partnering with Yale economics graduate Peter Brand, Beane challenges traditional scouting methods, identifying undervalued players and transforming the team's strategy. Their innovative methods spark controversy and resistance within the organization as they strive for success against wealthier franchises.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Moneyball yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Moneyball (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Moneyball (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2001-2002

The film is set during the transition from the 2001 postseason to the 2002 season in Major League Baseball. This period was marked by significant changes in how teams evaluated players, moving from traditional scouting to more analytical methods, ultimately leading to a shift in the sports culture.

Location

Oakland, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota

The movie primarily takes place in Oakland, California, home of the Oakland Athletics, a Major League Baseball team. It also includes significant scenes in Cleveland where Billy Beane meets Peter Brand. Kansas City and Minnesota are highlighted during crucial games that impact the Athletics' season, showcasing the competitive nature of baseball and the stakes involved.

🏟️ Stadium 🌆 City ⚾ Baseball

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:04

Main Characters – Moneyball (2011)

Meet the key characters of Moneyball (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Billy Beane (Brad Pitt)

Billy Beane is portrayed as a determined and innovative general manager who is frustrated by his team's limitations. He is driven by a desire to prove that a more analytical approach can yield success, despite facing skepticism from traditionalists. Beane's relentless pursuit of change and growth reflects both his personal insecurities and professional aspirations.

🏢 Management 📊 Analytics ⚾ Baseball

Peter Brand (Jonah Hill)

Peter Brand is a young, ambitious Yale graduate who brings a fresh perspective to the world of baseball through his statistical analysis. His ideas challenge the status quo and provide the foundation for Beane's innovative strategy. Brand's character embodies the clash between traditional baseball wisdom and new-age analytical thinking.

📚 Intelligence ⚾ Strategy 🎓 Education

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:04

Major Themes – Moneyball (2011)

Explore the central themes of Moneyball (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

📈 Innovation

The theme of innovation runs throughout 'Moneyball,' highlighting Billy Beane's and Peter Brand's revolutionary approach to building a competitive baseball team. They challenge conventional wisdom by focusing on statistical analysis rather than traditional player evaluations. This innovative strategy not only reshapes the team's fortunes but also influences the broader baseball industry.

💔 Disappointment

Despite their groundbreaking success during the season, the theme of disappointment looms large as the Athletics fall short in the postseason. This reflects the harsh realities of sports where even significant achievements can end in failure. Beane's emotional struggle showcases the conflict between ambition and outcome, resonating with anyone who has faced setbacks.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:04

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Innovative underdog stories like Moneyball

Rebels use unconventional methods to challenge a powerful, established system.If you enjoyed the smart, data-driven narrative of Moneyball, you'll like these movies about rebels challenging the status quo. Discover similar stories of unconventional strategies, systemic change, and intellectual battles against larger, more powerful establishments.

underdoginspiringfrustratingmethodicaltensehopefulinnovative

Narrative Summary

These stories follow a protagonist or team who lacks traditional advantages. Their journey involves developing and implementing a novel, often data-centric, strategy that challenges the 'old way' of doing things. The central conflict is less about physical action and more about persuasive arguments, mounting evidence, and overcoming institutional skepticism, leading to a validation of the idea that changes the game.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared focus on intellectual rebellion, the tension of challenging traditions, and a hopeful but realistically bittersweet tone. The pacing is typically steady, building through logical progression and professional/social friction rather than high-speed action.

Methodical process dramas similar to Moneyball

Stories where meticulous work and personal conviction lead to professional impact.For viewers who liked the detailed, work-focused narrative of Moneyball, this list features movies about professionals proving their methods. Find films with a steady pace, medium emotional weight, and a focus on the tension and reward of a meticulous professional journey.

methodicaltenseinspiringfrustratinghopefulproceduralvalidating

Narrative Summary

This thread captures character-driven stories where the plot is the work itself. The narrative unfolds by showing the step-by-step application of a craft, strategy, or theory. Conflict arises from colleagues, superiors, or the market doubting the approach. The payoff is not just external success but the profound personal and professional validation for the protagonist.

Why These Movies?

They share a steady, methodical pacing that mirrors real-world work. The intensity is medium, derived from professional stakes and interpersonal friction. The tone is grounded and hopeful, focusing on the dignity and impact of skilled, dedicated work, often concluding with a complex, realistic outcome.

Unlock the Full Story of Moneyball

Don't stop at just watching — explore Moneyball in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Moneyball is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Moneyball Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Moneyball, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Moneyball Summary

Moneyball Timeline

Track the full timeline of Moneyball with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Moneyball Timeline

Moneyball Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Moneyball that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Moneyball Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Moneyball

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Moneyball: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Moneyball

Similar Movies to Moneyball

Discover movies like Moneyball that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.