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Timeline

Sex and the City 2 (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2010 · 146 min · English
Directed by
Michael Patrick King
Starring
Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis
Budget
$100M

Four friends—Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda—embark on a lavish trip to Abu Dhabi in this stylish sequel. While enjoying the exotic locale, they grapple with the challenges of love, marriage, and raising families. Unexpected revelations surface, past relationships resurface, and the women are forced to re-evaluate their individual desires and what truly matters to them.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Sex and the City 2
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Sex and the City 2 (2010)

Where can you watch Sex and the City 2? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on YouTube Free, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Sex and the City 2 Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Sex and the City 2 (2010) 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. Wedding Celebration

    Carrie, along with her friends Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda, attends the wedding of their close friends Stanford and Anthony. The event is officiated by Liza Minnelli, who also captivates guests with her energetic performance, making it a truly memorable occasion.

    Where
    New York
  2. Samantha's Struggle with Aging

    Amidst the wedding festivities, Samantha faces her own challenges related to aging at 52. Desperate to maintain her vibrant libido while dealing with menopause, she begins trying various hormonal treatments to keep her youthful spirit alive.

  3. Carrie as Best Man

    In a unique twist, Carrie takes on the role of Stanford's 'best man' during the wedding. This unconventional choice signifies her deep bond with her friends as they navigate the complexities of love and friendship.

    Where
    Wedding Venue
  4. Miranda Resigns from Her Job

    After facing mistreatment from her misogynistic new boss, Miranda makes the bold decision to resign from her job. With the support of her husband, Steve, she embarks on a journey to rediscover her identity and navigate a new phase in her life.

  5. Charlotte's Parental Challenges

    Charlotte is preoccupied with the chaos brought about by her rambunctious children, especially her two-year-old daughter Rose. She also struggles with insecurities regarding her husband's attention towards their attractive Irish nanny, Erin.

  6. Carrie and Mr. Big's Routine

    Carrie's marriage with Mr. Big has settled into a comfortable but sometimes conflicting routine. While Carrie longs for a vibrant social life filled with outings, Big prefers the cozy confines of home, leading to clashes over their leisure preferences.

    Where
    Carrie's Home
  7. Anniversary Gifts

    For their anniversary, Carrie surprises Big with a heartfelt gift—a vintage Rolex inscribed with a romantic message. However, to her dismay, Big presents her with a new television for their bedroom, suggesting a quiet movie night instead of sharing a special experience.

    When
    Anniversary
    Where
    Carrie's Home
  8. Carrie's Retreat to Her Old Apartment

    Feeling undervalued after their anniversary, Carrie retreats to her former apartment to focus on her writing. This time apart helps rekindle their romance, and a delightful night out together rekindles their intimacy.

    Where
    Carrie's Old Apartment
  9. Samantha's Red Carpet Invitation

    Samantha receives an enticing invitation from Smith Jerrod to join him on the red carpet for his film premiere in Abu Dhabi. This opportunity reminds her of her influential past and highlights her continued relevance in the entertainment world.

    Where
    Abu Dhabi
  10. Challenges in Abu Dhabi

    Upon arriving in Abu Dhabi, Samantha faces a setback when her hormone-enhancing medications are confiscated due to legal issues. This complicates her efforts to cope with the changes that aging brings.

    Where
    Abu Dhabi
  11. Carrie's Connection with Gaurau

    During her time in Abu Dhabi, Carrie forms a connection with her manservant Gaurau, learning about his life back in India. Their conversations provide Carrie with a unique perspective and help her reflect on her own life choices.

    Where
    Abu Dhabi
  12. Encounter with Aidan

    While exploring the local souk in Abu Dhabi, Carrie unexpectedly meets her former flame, Aidan. They reminisce over dinner, leading to a passionate kiss that leaves Carrie feeling conflicted and anxious about her loyalty to Big.

    Where
    Local Souk, Abu Dhabi
  13. Cultural Clashes and Legal Troubles

    The group's Western values lead to complications when Samantha faces legal trouble for a public display of affection. This incident forces them to reevaluate their actions and ultimately leads to their trip being cut short.

    Where
    Abu Dhabi
  14. Return Home

    Disguised as local Emirati women to escape the fallout, the group manages to return home. However, Carrie faces the reality of a removed TV and Mr. Big's absence, stirring up feelings of abandonment.

    Where
    New York
  15. Big Proposes Again

    In a heartfelt gesture upon his return, Big presents Carrie with a stunning black diamond engagement ring, symbolizing his commitment to her. This rekindles their relationship and highlights the harmony they've found in their differences.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 22:42

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Timeline questions answered

Sex and the City 2 Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Sex and the City 2 (2010): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Miranda quit her job in Sex and the City 2?

Miranda resigned from her job after being mistreated by her new boss, who was described as misogynistic. Rather than tolerate the abusive work environment, she made the bold decision to leave, choosing her dignity over her career. Her husband Steve supported her choice as she navigated this challenging transition and began exploring new professional opportunities.

  • miranda
  • resignation
  • job
  • steve brady
  • career change
Q2

Why did Carrie leave Big after their anniversary?

Carrie felt deeply undervalued when Big gave her a new television for their bedroom as an anniversary gift, while she had given him a vintage Rolex inscribed with a romantic message. The gesture felt impersonal to Carrie, who wanted meaningful experiences rather than material goods. She retreated to her old apartment to focus on writing, which eventually led to them reconnecting and rediscovering their romance.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in their relationship, Carrie and Big bonded over shared experiences and intimacy, making the TV gift particularly disappointing as it represented a shift toward complacency.

  • carrie
  • big
  • anniversary
  • gift
  • tv
  • rolex
  • conflict
Q3

Why did Carrie kiss Aidan in Abu Dhabi?

Carrie unexpectedly encountered her former flame Aidan at a local souk in Abu Dhabi. After reminiscing about their past relationship and sharing a dinner, they shared a passionate kiss. Carrie immediately panicked because she was married to Big and felt guilty about the betrayal. She struggled with whether to confess to Big, ultimately being influenced by Miranda's own experience with infidelity.

Foreshadowing: Carrie and Aidan had a significant romantic history in the original series, with their relationship marked by on-again/off-again dynamics.

  • carrie
  • aidan
  • kiss
  • affair
  • abu dhabi
  • confession
Q4

What happened to Samantha's medications in Abu Dhabi?

When Samantha arrived in Abu Dhabi, her hormone-enhancing medications were confiscated at customs due to the country's legal restrictions on such substances. This was particularly problematic for Samantha because she was struggling with menopause and had been relying on these treatments to maintain her libido and cope with aging at 52.

  • samantha
  • medications
  • hormones
  • abu dhabi
  • menopause
Q6

Why did Big propose again with a black diamond ring?

After returning home and discovering Carrie had removed the television and was feeling abandoned, Big realized that Carrie needed a constant symbol of his commitment. He presented her with an exquisite black diamond engagement ring to highlight her uniqueness and demonstrate his dedication. This gesture symbolized his understanding that their marriage required active effort and meaningful displays of love, rekindling their relationship.

  • big
  • proposal
  • black diamond ring
  • commitment
  • marriage
Q7

Why was Charlotte worried about the nanny Erin?

Charlotte harbored insecurities about her husband Harry's attention toward their attractive Irish nanny, Erin. She fretted that Harry might be drawn to Erin, especially while she was away caring for their children. This insecurity stemmed from Charlotte's concerns about maintaining her husband's affection and the challenges of parenthood limiting her own relationship with Harry.

  • charlotte
  • harry
  • nanny
  • erin
  • insecurity
  • jealousy
Q8

Why is Samantha so obsessed with her libido in Sex and the City 2?

At 52, Samantha is dealing with menopause and the physical changes it brings, including a declining libido. Desperate to maintain her vibrant, youthful spirit and sexual confidence, she resorts to various hormonal treatments and medications. Her journey reflects the film's exploration of midlife challenges and the pressure women feel to maintain their vitality as they age.

  • samantha
  • aging
  • libido
  • menopause
  • hormones
  • middle age
Q9

What was Carrie's connection with Gaurau in Abu Dhabi?

During her time in Abu Dhabi, Carrie formed a meaningful connection with her manservant Gaurau. Through their conversations, she learned about his life back in India, including that he could only visit his family once every few months. This interaction provided Carrie with a unique perspective on relationships and commitment, helping her reflect on her own marriage and what truly matters.

  • carrie
  • gaurau
  • abu dhabi
  • connection
  • perspective
Q10

Why was Carrie Stanford's best man?

Carrie served as Stanford's best man at his wedding to Anthony, an unconventional but touching choice that highlighted the deep bond between Carrie and her friends. The wedding was officiated by Liza Minnelli, who also performed at the reception. This role demonstrated Carrie's central position within her friend group and the evolving nature of their relationships.

  • carrie
  • stanford
  • wedding
  • best man
  • anthony

Movie threads

More Movies Like Sex and the City 2, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Sex and the City 2 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with lavish escapades like Sex and the City 2

Stylish adventures where opulent settings are a backdrop for personal reflection. Find more movies like Sex and the City 2 that feature glamorous travel and aspirational lifestyles. If you enjoyed the stylish Abu Dhabi trip and the blend of luxury with personal drama, these recommendations offer similar escapist fantasies and opulent settings.

  • glamorous
  • aspirational
  • stylish
  • confident
  • playful
  • triumphant
  • Tone: light, glamorous, aspirational
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often revolve around a group or individual embarking on a luxurious trip or entering a world of opulence. The exotic or lavish setting serves as a catalyst for character reflection, relationship tests, and lighthearted conflicts, which are ultimately resolved in a satisfying, uplifting manner.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on aspirational visuals, luxurious settings, and a tone that blends relationship drama with wish-fulfillment. They offer a similar viewing experience of escapism, glamour, and confident characters navigating their lives in beautiful surroundings.

Ensemble friendship dramedies similar to Sex and the City 2

Stories centered on the strong bonds and humorous dynamics of a close-knit group of women. Discover movies similar to Sex and the City 2 that focus on the dynamics of a strong female friend group. If you liked the blend of humor, friendship, and navigating midlife challenges with Carrie and her friends, these films offer comparable character-driven stories with a lighthearted tone.

  • humorous
  • confident
  • nostalgic
  • triumphant
  • playful
  • supportive
  • Tone: light, humorous, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow an ensemble of distinct, well-defined characters, often with episodic subplots that intertwine. Conflict arises from personal and professional life stages—such as marriage, family, and career—but is consistently grounded in the supportive, humorous, and sometimes challenging dynamics of the central friendship.

Why they belong together: This thread unites movies based on their core focus on a confident female ensemble, a mix of comedy and relationship drama, and a light, steady pacing. The shared vibe is one of humor, nostalgia, and triumphant resolutions, making the viewing experience uplifting and character-centric.

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Movies Like Sex and the City 2

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Every angle

Sex and the City 2 (2010) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Sex and the City 2 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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