Nocturna

Nocturna

Year: 2007

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Directors: Víctor Maldonado, Adrià García

AnimationFamily

Tim, an orphan terrified of darkness, watches the sky dim as the stars vanish. Guided by the mysterious Cat Shepherd, he ventures into the hidden realm of night, meeting strange nocturnal beings and gradually confronting his fear, discovering wonder in the darkness.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Nocturna 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 – Nocturna (2007)

Trace every key event in Nocturna (2007) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tim's fear of the dark and secret star-gazing

Tim is a young boy living in a dilapidated orphanage who is bullied for his fear of the dark. At night, he sneaks onto the roof to gaze at the stars, hoping the quiet sky will comfort him.

Night Dilapidated orphanage rooftop
2

Basement rescue blocked and doorknob stolen

When Tim is too afraid to retrieve a ball from the basement, the other children retaliate by stealing the doorknob he uses to access the roof, forcing Tim to find another route.

Night Orphanage basement
3

New route to the roof and the missing star

He eventually finds another route to the rooftop. Upon reaching it, he discovers that his favorite star has disappeared.

Night Orphanage rooftop
4

Meeting the Cat Shepherd

Shortly after the star disappears, Tim meets a large ape-like figure called the Cat Shepherd who herds cats to protect children. The mysterious guardian offers guidance and companionship.

Night Nocturna
5

Tobermory becomes Tim's guardian

A narcoleptic cat named Tobermory becomes Tim's personal guardian. The unlikely duo offers protection as they venture into the night.

Night Nocturna
6

Seeking answers about the missing stars

Tim convinces the Cat Shepherd to help uncover why the stars are disappearing and what's happening in the night sky. Together they begin to search for answers beyond the orphanage walls.

Night Nocturna
7

Journey to Moka, guardian of the night

The Cat Shepherd leads Tim to Moka, the guardian of the night within the Night World. Tim pleads for the stars to be returned.

Night Night World
8

Moka's indifference and the Lighthouse plan

Moka pays little attention to Tim's pleas. Tim asks the Cat Shepherd to take him to the Lighthouse of the Stars to find answers.

Night Night World
9

Racing through Nocturna against The Darkness

Tim, the Cat Shepherd, and Tobermory race through the streets of Nocturna. The Darkness threatens the night by causing restlessness and nightmares in children.

Night Nocturna
10

The Darkness born from Tim's fear

During the chase, Tim uncovers that The Darkness was created by his own fear of the dark. The revelation reframes his mission and his courage.

Night Nocturna
11

Confronting The Darkness

Tim deliberately lures The Darkness to himself, using his fear as a lure. This controlled confrontation tests his courage.

Night Nocturna
12

Defeating The Darkness and restoring the night

Tim overcomes his fear and defeats The Darkness. He saves Nocturna by restoring the stars to the night.

Night Nocturna
13

Ball retrieved and friendship resumes

The next day, Tim retrieves the ball from the basement. His friends are impressed by his bravery and invite him back to play.

Next day Orphanage basement

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:10

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.

Fantasy Quests to Fix a Broken World like Nocturna

Young heroes venture into a hidden magical world to fix a cosmic disorder.If you liked Nocturna's story of a hero fixing the vanishing stars, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features similar animated and family-friendly films where characters undertake imaginative journeys to restore balance to a magical world, blending adventure with personal growth.

magicalwondrouscourageousatmosphericchildlikeimaginativequest

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a strange, external problem that signals a deeper issue in a secret world. The protagonist, often an outsider, is uniquely suited or chosen to intervene. The plot follows their linear journey through this strange new realm, where they meet allies, learn the true cause of the imbalance, and must use their newfound courage or understanding to set things right.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared structure of a 'world repair' quest, their whimsical tone, and their blend of gentle mystery with a steady, purposeful pace. They all feature a childlike sense of wonder and a central theme of overcoming personal anxiety to achieve a greater good.

Movies About Finding Family in the Night like Nocturna

Lonely characters find belonging and courage among magical beings of the night.For viewers who loved the found family theme in Nocturna. These movies share a similar vibe, focusing on lonely protagonists who discover comfort and kinship in a magical, nighttime setting. If you enjoyed Tim's journey from fear to belonging, explore these heartfelt stories.

lonelywondrousatmosphericmagicalheartfeltchildlikecomfortingdreamlike

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist grappling with a significant fear or loneliness. Their journey into a mysterious, often dreamlike night world introduces them to a cast of unique beings who are initially strange but ultimately friendly. The conflict is internal and external—facing their fear while being welcomed into a new community—culminating in a heartfelt resolution where they find where they truly belong.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their strong emotional core of finding belonging, their atmospheric and slightly mysterious nocturnal settings, and their balanced mix of initial melancholy with a ultimately hopeful and happy resolution. They share a medium emotional weight and a comforting, magical vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of Nocturna

Don't stop at just watching — explore Nocturna 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 Nocturna is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Nocturna Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Nocturna, 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.

Nocturna Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nocturna

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Nocturna. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nocturna

Nocturna Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Nocturna 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.

Nocturna Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Nocturna

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Nocturna: 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 Nocturna

Similar Movies to Nocturna

Discover movies like Nocturna 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.