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Mr. Vampire III (1987) movie poster

Timeline

Mr. Vampire III (1987) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 92 mins · Cantonese
Directed by
Ricky Lau
Starring
Wu Ma, Richard Ng Yiu-Hon, Corey Yuen Kwai, Cheung Wing-Cheung, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Hau Woon-Ling

The Vampire Master teams up with another priest, bringing along his two ghostly companions, to battle an evil witch and her henchman who plot to annihilate humanity. As they fight, the priests must also bridge the divide between the living and the spirit world, confronting supernatural obstacles to protect the human race.

On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (14)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

14 events in order · contains spoilers

Mr. Vampire III Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Mr. Vampire III (1987) 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. Ming's failed exorcism in a haunted house

    On a dark night, Uncle Ming attempts to exorcise the angry spirits haunting a house but cannot banish them. The spirits threaten him and he narrowly escapes with his two ghostly companions, Big Pao and Small Pao. They flee to seek safety elsewhere.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Haunted house
  2. Ming and the Paos reach a nearby town

    Ming brings the two ghostly companions with him to a nearby town to seek refuge from the vengeful spirits. The town, however, lies under threat from bandits who wield supernatural powers. The scene shifts from fear to imminent danger.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Nearby town
  3. Bandits with supernatural powers attack the town

    As night falls, a group of bandits with supernatural abilities launches an attack on the town. The townsfolk scramble to defend themselves while Ming and the Paos watch the chaos unfold. The threat escalates beyond ordinary criminals.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Town
  4. Captain Chiang harasses Ming and the Paos; pranks retaliate

    During dinner at a restaurant, Captain Chiang harasses Ming and the Paos. The Paos retaliate by playing tricks on him, turning the confrontation into a test of wit. The scene foreshadows the coming magical confrontation.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Town restaurant
  5. Uncle Nine subdues the ghosts and traps them

    Uncle Nine arrives and subdues the two ghosts, trapping them inside a wine jar. Ming cannot match Nine's magic, and Nine's restraint foreshadows a difficult outcome. Nine warns Ming that release will require Ming to part ways with the Paos.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Restaurant
  6. Ming pleads for release; Nine sets condition

    Ming begs Nine to release the Paos, and Nine agrees on the condition that Ming must part ways with the ghosts. This marks a turning point in Ming's relationship with the supernatural world. The balance of power shifts as Nine takes control of the Paos' fate.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Restaurant
  7. Big Pao is captured by Devil Lady

    Because of Captain Chiang's mischief, Devil Lady captures Big Pao and begins to weave her dark plan. The capture intensifies the town's danger as the spirits' influence grows stronger. The heroes watch from the shadows, realizing a greater threat has arrived.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Town outskirts
  8. Devil Lady casts a spell on Big Pao

    Devil Lady casts a spell on Big Pao, making him perceive people dressed in Taoist robes as monster birds. He is then sent to attack the town, escalating the chaos. The sorceress demonstrates the scale of her manipulation and danger.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Town
  9. Devil Lady breaks into the prison but falls into a trap

    During the turmoil, Devil Lady infiltrates the town prison to free two bandits. She underestimates the trap set by the townspeople and falls into it. Her downfall temporarily halts the assault and buys time for countermeasures.

    When
    Mid-chaos
    Where
    Town prison
  10. Nine defeats Devil Lady; she dies in a well

    Uncle Nine confronts Devil Lady in combat and defeats her. The sorceress plummets into a well and dies, ending her direct threat for the moment. Yet the defeat does not erase the danger posed by the remaining spirits.

    When
    Shortly after
    Where
    Well
  11. Bandits' spirits escape and possess two men

    With Devil Lady gone, the spirits of the two bandits escape and possess two townsfolk. They go out to cause trouble again, spreading chaos through the town. The haunting threat persists despite the apparent victory.

    When
    After defeat
    Where
    Town
  12. Nine and Ming seal the spirits in wine jars

    Nine and Ming join forces to contain the evil spirits by sealing them in wine jars and frying them in hot oil. The ritual acts as a quarantine, keeping the demons from causing further harm. It represents a temporary solution as the next threat looms.

    When
    Moment after possession
    Where
    Town center
  13. Coin sword shatters; Devil Lady freed to seek revenge

    The coin sword binding Devil Lady shatters, freeing her spirit to seek revenge. The weapon's collapse signals a turning point, unleashing the sorceress to return more dangerous than before. The city braces for a final confrontation.

    When
    Climax
    Where
    Town
  14. Final battle and defeat of Devil Lady

    In a long, brutal battle, aided by the Pao ghosts, Nine and Ming manage to destroy Devil Lady once and for all. The town breathes a sigh of relief as order slowly returns. Peace is restored as the spiritual threat is finally contained.

    When
    Final confrontation
    Where
    Town

Last updated: February 18, 2026 at 23:43

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Timeline questions answered

Mr. Vampire III Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Mr. Vampire III (1987): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Uncle Nine demand that Ming part ways with the ghosts?

Uncle Nine demands Ming part ways with the ghosts because they are vengeful spirits that could cause trouble. As a powerful Taoist priest, Nine understands the danger of Ming traveling with such spirits. Nine traps the Paos in a wine jar to control them, then offers their release only if Ming agrees to separate from them permanently, ensuring the spirits won't harm the town.

Foreshadowing: Nine warns Ming earlier that the ghosts are dangerous companions who could bring harm.

  • uncle nine
  • big pao
  • small pao
  • taoist priest
  • ghosts
  • exorcism
Q2

How does Devil Lady control Big Pao to attack the town?

Devil Lady captures Big Pao and casts a spell that distorts his perception. The spell makes him see people dressed in Taoist robes as monster birds, triggering his instinct to attack what he perceives as threats. This manipulated perception sends Big Pao into a violent rampage against the townspeople.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Devil Lady wielding supernatural powers to lead her bandit crew.

  • devil lady
  • big pao
  • spell
  • possession
  • monster birds
  • taoist robes
Q3

Why does Captain Chiang's mischief lead to Big Pao's capture?

Captain Chiang harasses Ming and the Paos at the restaurant, and the Paos retaliate with mischievous tricks. This antagonizes Chiang, and when Devil Lady's bandits arrive, Chiang's involvement or presence somehow enables Devil Lady to locate and capture Big Pao. The film implies Chiang's actions created an opportunity for the witch to seize one of the ghosts.

Foreshadowing: The restaurant confrontation establishes Chiang as a troublemaker whose actions have consequences.

  • captain chiang
  • devil lady
  • big pao
  • capture
  • bandits
Q4

What is the coin sword and why does it shatter?

The coin sword is a magical weapon used to bind and contain Devil Lady's spirit after her physical death. When Nine defeats Devil Lady and she falls into the well, the coin sword holds her spirit trapped. However, during the final confrontation, the coin sword shatters, either from the accumulated spiritual energy of Devil Lady's rage or from the strain of containing her power, freeing her spirit to seek revenge in the climactic battle.

Foreshadowing: The coin sword is shown binding Devil Lady after her initial defeat.

  • coin sword
  • devil lady
  • spirit
  • 绑定
  • binding magic
Q5

Why do Nine and Ming team up despite being initially opposed?

Nine and Ming team up because the threat from Devil Lady and her bandits becomes too great for either priest to handle alone. After Nine initially opposes Ming over the ghosts, the escalating danger forces them to put aside their differences. When Devil Lady's spirits continue causing chaos even after her death, Nine and Ming must combine their abilities to seal the possessed bandits and ultimately face the freed witch together.

Foreshadowing: Nine's warning about the dangers of traveling with ghosts hints at the need for stronger, unified protection.

  • uncle nine
  • uncle ming
  • team up
  • alliance
  • priests
  • devil lady
Q6

Why does Devil Lady fall into the well and die?

Devil Lady falls into the well and dies because she walks into a trap set by the townspeople while attempting to break into the prison. After infiltrating the town prison to free her two bandit henchmen, she falls into a pit trap that Uncle Nine has prepared. Nine then defeats her in combat, and she plummets into the well where she dies, ending her direct threat.

Foreshadowing: The townspeople set traps during the bandit attack, showing they are prepared for supernatural threats.

  • devil lady
  • well
  • trap
  • prison
  • death
  • uncle nine
Q7

What happens to the bandit spirits after Devil Lady's death?

After Devil Lady dies, the spirits of her two bandit henchmen escape from whatever binding held them. These freed spirits possess two townsfolk, continuing to cause trouble in the town. Nine and Ming must then work together to contain this new threat by sealing the possessed spirits inside wine jars and frying them in hot oil to prevent further harm.

Foreshadowing: The bandits were imprisoned before Devil Lady's defeat, setting up their escape after her death.

  • bandit spirits
  • possession
  • wine jars
  • nine
  • ming
  • sealing
Q8

Why does the final battle require the Pao ghosts' help to defeat Devil Lady?

The final battle requires the Pao ghosts' help because Devil Lady returns as an even more dangerous spirit after the coin sword shatters. Alone, neither Nine nor Ming possesses enough power to destroy her. The Pao ghosts, now freed from their earlier capture, assist the two priests in the lengthy confrontation, providing crucial support that allows them to finally destroy Devil Lady completely.

Foreshadowing: The Paos have been established as powerful ghosts with magical abilities throughout the film.

  • final battle
  • pao ghosts
  • devil lady
  • uncle nine
  • uncle ming
  • victory

Movie threads

More Movies Like Mr. Vampire III, by Mood & Story

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

Frantic Supernatural Battles with Comic Relief like in Mr. Vampire III

High-stakes magical conflicts punctuated by chaotic and goofy character antics. If you enjoyed the chaotic blend of high-stakes magic and goofy humor in Mr. Vampire III, discover more movies that mix frantic supernatural action with comedic relief. These films feature epic good vs. evil conflicts where the tension is always balanced by hilarious character interactions.

  • action-packed
  • supernatural
  • goofy
  • chaotic
  • spooky
  • mischievous
  • Tone: tense, goofy
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically involve a clear, dire threat—often the annihilation of humanity—that a team of heroes must confront using magical or spiritual powers. The narrative is driven by a series of rapid-fire battles and confrontations, but the journey is lightened by the presence of comedic sidekicks, bumbling allies, or absurd situations that prevent the tone from becoming overly dark.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a unique and coherent mix of high-intensity supernatural action and consistent comedic relief. They balance a tense, high-stakes plot with a mischievous, goofy atmosphere, creating a distinct viewing experience that is both thrilling and entertaining.

Uneasy Alliances Against Supernatural Evil like in Mr. Vampire III

Rival forces must unite to battle a common, world-ending paranormal threat. Fans of Mr. Vampire III will enjoy these movies about rival priests or factions teaming up to fight a supernatural apocalypse. Explore stories where teamwork across spiritual divides is the key to saving the world from dark magic and powerful evil forces.

  • teamwork
  • supernatural
  • tense
  • adventurous
  • good vs evil
  • possession
  • Tone: tense, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern focuses on a central conflict that is too great for any one faction to handle alone, forcing initially opposed groups into a necessary partnership. The story arc involves navigating distrust, cultural clashes, or ideological differences, with the shared goal ultimately forging a stronger bond. The plot is often structured around a series of escalating threats that test the alliance's resilience.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of bridging divides—between the living and dead, different schools of magic, or rival clans—to achieve a common goal. They combine the tension of a fragile alliance with the high stakes of a supernatural battle, creating a compelling story about unity in the face of annihilation.

Every angle

Mr. Vampire III (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Mr. Vampire III 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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