Planet 51

Planet 51

Year: 2009

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Directors: Javier Abad, Jorge Blanco, Marcos Martínez

AdventureSci-FiFantasyComedyAnimationFamily

An American astronaut, Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker, finds himself crash-landed on Planet 51, a world populated by little green aliens living in peaceful unawareness of the universe beyond. Chuck's unexpected arrival disrupts their tranquil existence, and he must join forces with his robot companion, Rover, and a friendly alien named Lem. Together, they attempt to evade the planet's authorities and escape before he becomes a permanent exhibit in the Alien Invaders Space Museum.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Planet 51 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 – Planet 51 (2009)

Trace every key event in Planet 51 (2009) 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

Introduction to Planet 51

The film opens in the vibrant town of Glipforg on Planet 51, where little green aliens live in a 1950s-style community. Among them is Lem, a teenage alien who is excited to begin his job at the planetarium museum while navigating life with his best friend Skiff.

Glipforg, Planet 51
2

Lem's Crush on Neera

Lem arrives home, eager to see his long-time crush Neera, who lives next door. He attempts to muster the courage to ask her out during a family barbecue, but his efforts are constantly interrupted by her friend Glar, who is more carefree.

Lem's backyard
3

Mysterious Spacecraft

As Lem enjoys the barbecue, a mysterious spacecraft orbits Planet 51, sending a blinking red signal. This sets off alarms at Base 9, a secretive facility where earthly artifacts are stored, leading to the activation of a wheeled probe named Rover.

Base 9, Planet 51
4

NASA Astronaut Lands

In an unexpected turn of events, a spacecraft lands in Lem's backyard, and astronaut Chuck Baker emerges in a state of confusion. Startled by the unexpected surroundings, he tries to return to his lunar module, which draws the attention of the locals.

Lem's backyard
5

Army Mobilizes

The local army, led by General Grawl, quickly mobilizes to investigate the alien threat surrounding Chuck's landing. They quarantine the area and enlist Professor Kipple to analyze this new extraterrestrial presence.

Base 9, Planet 51
6

Lem Helps Chuck

Lem discovers Chuck hiding in the planetarium, and to their surprise, they realize they can understand each other. When Lem opts to help Chuck, he faces consequences including losing his job and nearly going to jail for his bold decision.

Planetarium, Planet 51
7

Rover's Role

Rover locates Chuck, and they share a moment of joy, reinforcing the bond between them. Chuck praises Lem, revealing that he sees in him the essence of bravery and sacrifice, which inspires Lem to continue helping.

8

The Humaniacs Premiere

In a bid to help Chuck return to his spacecraft, Lem and Skiff come up with a plan inspired by a Humaniacs movie premiere. They decide to dress as fans and participate in a costume contest, hoping to draw attention and create a diversion.

Glipforg, Planet 51
9

Chaos at the Contest

During the costume contest, Chuck unexpectedly becomes the center of attention, even creating a dance move. However, the festivities are interrupted when Rover crashes the party, bringing in the military and resulting in Chuck's capture.

Humaniacs Movie Premiere, Planet 51
10

Rescue Mission

Faced with the imminent capture of Chuck, Lem, fueled by determination, hotwires a car to launch a rescue mission. Joined by Neera and their friends, they band together in a thrilling pursuit to free the astronaut.

Base 9, Planet 51
11

Infiltrating Base 9

Lem and the group manage to infiltrate Base 9, where they find Chuck just in time to escape as alarms begin to ring throughout the facility. Their teamwork is crucial as they rush to reach Chuck's lunar module amidst the chaos.

Base 9, Planet 51
12

Fleeing to Orbit

The group's escape leads them to Chuck's lunar module, where they face General Grawl one last time. Using a clever diversion, Lem enables Chuck and the team to flee into space, experiencing weightlessness together for the first time.

13

Chuck Becomes an Ally

As Chuck descends back to the planet's surface, General Grawl, after witnessing the events unfold, acknowledges him as an ally. The aliens of Planet 51 finally understand Chuck's harmless nature, marking the end of the conflict.

Glipforg, Planet 51
14

Lem's Resolution

With the threat over, Lem finally finds the courage to ask Neera out, overcoming his earlier hesitations. Their relationship begins to blossom alongside Chuck's newfound place in their world.

15

Unexpected Departure

As Chuck prepares to leave Planet 51, Rover surprises everyone by deciding to stay behind and become Skiff's new companion. This quirky twist invites humor and warmth as the characters embark on their respective journeys.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 21:41

Unlock the Full Story of Planet 51

Don't stop at just watching — explore Planet 51 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 Planet 51 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Planet 51 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Planet 51, 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.

Planet 51 Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Planet 51

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Planet 51. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Planet 51

More About Planet 51

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Planet 51: 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 Planet 51

Similar Movies to Planet 51

Discover movies like Planet 51 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.