Overboard

Overboard

Year: 1987

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Garry Marshall

ComedyRomance

A single mother devises a clever plan that takes a surprising turn when a wealthy, self-centered man loses his memory and believes they are married. He then attempts to bond with his supposed family, leading to humorous situations. As the deception continues, the woman finds her own feelings challenged and must decide whether to maintain the elaborate scheme and the complications that arise from it.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Overboard 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 – Overboard (1987)

Trace every key event in Overboard (1987) 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

Joanna hires Dean for closet remodel

Joanna Mintz Stayton hires Dean Proffitt to remodel her closet in Elk Cove. Dean delivers quality work, but she dismisses it because he used oak instead of cedar, a detail she never actually requested. The tense exchange foreshadows the fraught dynamic to come.

Day of hire Elk Cove, Oregon
2

Conflict over payment erupts

Dean asks for payment for the work already completed. Joanna refuses to pay and the argument escalates, ending with her angrily throwing Dean and his tool kit into the water. The confrontational moment establishes the financial feud between them.

Same day Elk Cove
3

Joanna falls overboard on her yacht

That night, while the yacht sails away, Joanna goes on deck to retrieve her wedding ring and loses her balance, tumbling overboard. She is later fished out of the water by a garbage scow and taken to shore. The incident foreshadows the vulnerability of Joanna’s world and sets the next crisis in motion.

Night On the yacht, Elk Cove harbor
4

Temporary amnesia and hospital

Joanna is taken to the local hospital suffering from temporary amnesia, although her arrogant personality remains unchanged. Grant learns what happened and begins to rethink his life, unsure how to handle the cascade of consequences. The amnesia creates space for the other players to seize control.

Shortly after the rescue Elk Cove Hospital
5

Grant embraces a new lifestyle

Back home, Grant starts hosting parties with younger women and tells everyone that Joanna has left him. He uses the lie to preserve the illusion of happiness while keeping the fortune within reach. The frivolous life masks the underlying insecurity and fear of losing status.

Days to weeks later Grant's home
6

Dean seeks revenge after the news

Dean sees Joanna’s story on the news and decides to make her work off the unpaid bill. He goes to the hospital and claims that she is his wife and the mother of his four sons, forcing her to return with him. His plan sets Joanna on a new, grounded path far from her former luxuries.

Soon after the news Elk Cove Hospital
7

Joanna moves in with Dean and his sons

Joanna reluctantly goes home with Dean and is confronted by the ramshackle residence and the chaotic household. She is initially overwhelmed by the sons and chores but gradually grows to understand their school and family issues. Her presence begins to transform the family’s dynamics.

Shortly after moving in Dean's home, Elk Cove
8

Joanna brings order and budgeting

Joanna applies her budgeting skills to streamline the family’s finances and persuades Dean to be a more responsible father. She discovers Dean is secretly working two jobs to make ends meet, and she uses this insight to improve their situation. The household begins operating with more discipline and care.

A little while after moving in Dean's home
9

Miniature golf project begins

Joanna helps design a miniature golf course as a shared dream, giving Dean a hopeful project. He keeps her true identity hidden, fearing she will leave if she discovers who she truly is. The project becomes a symbol of their evolving partnership.

Some time later Elk Cove
10

Edith’s suspicion and Grant’s deadline

Two months later, Joanna’s mother Edith grows suspicious of her daughter’s disappearance and threatens to have Grant hunted down to force Joanna’s return. The tension peaks as Grant is drawn back into the picture. The looming confrontation sets the stage for a dramatic turn of events.

Two months later Elk Cove
11

Memory returns and realization hits

Joanna’s memory is restored upon seeing Grant, and she realises she has been manipulated. She decides to confront the situation and returns to the yacht with a new resolve, reasserting control over her life. The revelation reframes her loyalties and desires.

Moment of sighting Grant On board the yacht
12

Final rescue, confession, and kiss

Dean and his sons arrive via a Coast Guard cutter to rescue Joanna, but are diverted by a sighting of salmon poachers. Andrew boots Grant overboard, and Joanna reveals that the yacht and money are hers. She tells Dean, 'A little girl,' and they kiss as the coast guard takes them aboard, cementing their new family and future.

Final moment Coast Guard cutter and yacht

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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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.

Deceptively Sweet Romantic Schemes like Overboard

Humorous tales where a clever deception accidentally leads to real love.If you liked the charming deception in Overboard, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features comedies and romances where a clever lie leads to unexpected love and personal growth, similar to stories where characters find happiness through a fabricated situation.

deceptiveromantichumorousupliftingchaotictransformativefeel-good

Narrative Summary

The narrative usually begins with a character executing a risky or morally questionable plan, often involving identity or circumstance. As the deception continues, the initial goal fades, replaced by authentic feelings and relationships. The conflict arises from the looming revelation of the truth, testing the new bonds and leading to a resolution where love conquers the initial deceit.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared core plot device—a central deception that drives both comedy and romance. They maintain a light tone despite the underlying tension, focusing on character transformation and the heartwarming idea that sometimes the wrong path leads to the right destination.

Movies about Chaotic Domesticity and Found Family like Overboard

Heartwarming stories where a messy household becomes a true home.Fans of the chaotic but heartwarming family dynamic in Overboard will love this selection. Discover similar movies about unlikely groups or individuals forming a true family through shared domestic chaos, personal growth, and transformative bonds.

chaoticheartwarmingdomestictransformativeupliftingfound familyhumorous

Narrative Summary

The story thrusts characters—often strangers or opposites—into a shared living situation filled with comedic mishaps and initial resistance. Through daily routines and shared challenges, walls break down, revealing vulnerability and fostering genuine connection. The central journey is one of adaptation and acceptance, transforming a house of chaos into a home built on love.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies based on their focus on the transformative power of a shared home life. They share a specific vibe: a balance of humorous chaos and sincere emotional warmth, where the setting itself (the home) acts as a catalyst for profound personal change and the creation of a new family.

Unlock the Full Story of Overboard

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

Overboard Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Overboard, 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.

Overboard Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Overboard

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Overboard

Overboard Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Overboard 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.

Overboard Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Overboard

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

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Discover movies like Overboard 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.