Notzilla (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Notzilla belongs to the species Notzillasaurus Partiontildon, which has a unique biological trait: alcohol triggers uncontrollable growth. When the monster hatches, it immediately drinks Dr. Richard Blowheart's beer and grows to enormous proportions. The scientists later exploit this weakness by developing an anti-beer formula to reverse the growth.

Foreshadowing: The scientists at SNUGI discover the alcohol-growth connection after retrieving the egg following a nuclear test explosion.

• notzilla growth
• alcohol effect
• kaiju biology
• notzillasaurus

Dr. Hiro Honda rescued the egg after the Japan Self-Defense Force killed the mother kaiju. He transported it to Ohio hoping to find a way to reverse the monster's growth, but the egg was accidentally flushed down an airplane toilet and landed in the Ohio River, where it was discovered by scientists at SNUGI.

Foreshadowing: Dr. Honda's determination to save the monster sets his journey to America in motion.

• notzilla egg
• ohio river
• dr hiro honda
• egg transport

Shirley Yujest reveals that Dr. Richard Blowheart is actually Donnie Draper, a former child actor. This discovery causes characters to lose confidence in his leadership and contributes to the sabotage of the Mega-Blaster, as the scientists no longer trust someone who lied about his credentials to be in charge of a secret government facility.

Foreshadowing: The reveal adds to the film's satirical tone, questioning the competence of those in charge.

• donnie draper
• richard blowheart
• impostor
• snugi scientist

The Mega-Blaster is Richard's secret weapon designed to destroy Notzilla. However, Richard admits it would irradiate Cincinnati for 50 years, making it nearly as destructive as the monster itself. The device is ultimately sabotaged and fails during the final confrontation.

Foreshadowing: Richard unveils the weapon when conventional military options fail, presenting it as a desperate last resort.

• mega blaster
• weapon
• radiation
• cincinnati destruction

After Notzilla is shrunk, Dr. Butay unveils a secret power switch. In a Spartacus-style revolt, the entire cast declares themselves Notzilla to confuse the monster and distract it from attacking. This comedic moment results in Richard/Donnie and Dr. Butay being shrunk to doll size when the formula spray hits them instead.

Foreshadowing: The Spartacus-style scene is set up by the chaos of the final confrontation at Big Finale Ridge.

• i am notzilla
• spartacus scene
• notzilla trick
• shrink formula

Notzilla unexpectedly brings a bouquet of trees to Shirley Yujest, showing a gentler side to the monster. This moment demonstrates that despite its destructive rampage, Notzilla is capable of gratitude and connection, particularly with the scientist who communicated with it during the chaos.

Foreshadowing: Shirley had previously guided Notzilla to put out fires it unintentionally started, establishing rapport with the creature.

• notzilla trees
• shirley yujest
• monster kindness
• notzilla emotion

Shirley Yujest develops a theory of warm fusion that could reverse Notzilla's growth. The scientists create an anti-beer formula stored in an enormous beer can. When Notzilla drinks it, the formula counteracts the alcohol's effect, shrinking him back to his original smaller size.

Foreshadowing: Shirley introduces her warm fusion theory earlier as the potential solution to the crisis.

• anti-beer formula
• warm fusion
• shrink notzilla
• solution

When Hiro rams the giant beer can into the death-ray's path, it sprays the anti-beer formula onto Richard/Donnie and Dr. Butay, shrinking both of them to doll size. They are later seen living with Notzilla, who carries them in a toy car as their new mode of transportation.

Foreshadowing: The Spartacus-style declaration backfires when the formula accidentally targets them instead of the monster.

• richard blowheart
• dr butay
• shrunk
• doll size
• ending

SNUGI stands for Secret Nuclear Underground Government Installation, located beneath Cincinnati. It was established as a covert research facility where scientists like Dr. Richard Blowheart investigate unusual phenomena, particularly those related to nuclear testing and its effects on rare species like Notzilla.

Foreshadowing: The facility is introduced after nuclear tests cause unusual phenomena that lead scientists to investigate the egg.

• snugi
• secret facility
• cincinnati
• nuclear underground

Three new Notzilla eggs floating ashore at the end create a sequel hook, suggesting more giant monster adventures may be coming. This open-ending aligns with the film's comedic tone and leaves the possibility of future chaos wide open.

Foreshadowing: The film's final moment mirrors the beginning when a single egg started the entire adventure.

• new eggs
• sequel tease
• notzilla babies
• ending

Notzilla is depicted as virtually unstoppable, conventional weapons including rockets, shells, fighter jets, and military equipment are completely ineffective. The monster demolishes everything in its path as easily as knocking over toys, forcing the military to resort to increasingly desperate measures.

Foreshadowing: The escalation from small-scale containment to full military response demonstrates Notzilla's overwhelming power.

• military failure
• notzilla power
• unstoppable
• weapons

Bobby is a young boy who believes Notzilla has killed his grandfather. Driven by anger and grief, he confronts the monster with a handgun. However, he quickly learns his grandfather is still alive, causing him to abandon his attack and accidentally startle Notzilla into fleeing.

Foreshadowing: Bobby's subplot adds a personal stakes element to the chaos, though it resolves quickly.

• bobby
• grandfather
• attack notzilla
• handgun
• mistaken identity