Small Soldiers

Small Soldiers

Year: 1998

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: English

Director: Joe Dante

AdventureActionFantasyComedy

Big Movie. When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Small Soldiers (1998)

Trace every key event in Small Soldiers (1998) 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

GloboTech buys Heartland and orders 'playing back' toys

GloboTech Industries acquires the Heartland Toy Company and signals a bold new direction for its product line. CEO Gil Mars commissions designers Larry Benson and Irwin Wayfair to create 'playing back' toys with a three-month deadline to deliver prototypes for shipment. Mars selects Larry's 'Commando Elite' and Irwin's 'Gorgonites' as their adversaries, setting up a conflict between militant and peaceful toys.

Project kickoff GloboTech Industries headquarters
2

The X1000: a military-grade AI chip

The X1000 proves to be a military-grade artificial intelligence chip intended for DoD use. Larry and Irwin quickly realize its true potential may outstrip the toy's intended purpose. The dual-use nature hints at the danger behind the very project they are building.

During development GloboTech labs
3

Alan activates the new GloboTech toys

Delivery driver Joe brings the new GloboTech toys to Alan's home. Alan activates Major Chip Hazard and Archer, waking the militant leader and the peaceful Gorgonites. The toys begin to show self-awareness and a capacity to learn.

Night of delivery Alan's home
4

Chip Hazard interrogates Archer; Alan intervenes

Following activation, the Commando Elite interrogate Archer at Alan's home. Alan intervenes to defend Archer, and in the struggle he is wounded by Nick Nitro and nearly destroys the AI chip in the garbage disposal. His parents refuse to believe his explanation about the toys.

That night Alan's home
5

Gorgonites discovered in the dumpster; Yosemite on the mind

The next day, Alan and Archer discover the Gorgonites hiding in the store's dumpster. Unlike the militant Commandos, the Gorgonites remain peaceful and simply want to return home. They believe Yosemite National Park might be their home after seeing an image on Alan's computer.

The next day Store dumpster
6

The Elite spy on the Abernathys; Timmy is captured

The Commando Elite tap the Abernathys' phone line to learn about Alan's interest in Christy. They infiltrate Christy's house, capture her younger brother Timmy, sedate the parents, and use Nick Nitro's AI chip to turn Christy's 'Gwendy' fashion dolls into reinforcements.

Night Fimples' house
7

Christy is hostage; surrender demanded

The Commando Elite hold Christy hostage and demand that Alan surrender the Gorgonites. Alan and Archer begin plotting a rescue while trying to persuade their families to accept the truth about the toys. The tense standoff marks a turning point in the escalating war between toys.

Shortly after Timmy's capture Fimples' house
8

Rescue attempt and Elite destruction

Alan and Archer sneak into the Fimples' house to rescue Christy. The Commando Elite pursue them with improvised vehicles, but their attempts end in a fiery crash, leaving Chip Hazard as the sole survivor. The rescue strengthens the resolve of Alan and his allies.

Rescue attempt and pursuit Fimples' house
9

The siege and power outage

Chip Hazard returns with a new army and hijacks a recall shipment driven by Joe, laying siege to the Abernathys' house and cutting the power. The family fights to survive as the toys' battles spill into the neighborhood and threaten to overwhelm them.

Siege begins Abernathys' house
10

EMP plan and the final battle

Irwin suggests an EMP to disable the toys. Christy, Irwin, and Larry travel to the Fimples' house to trigger a larger surge. The Gorgonites join the fight while Alan climbs a power pole; Chip Hazard is defeated when he is driven into power transformers and the breakers are overloaded, destroying the toys.

Final battle Near power infrastructure, around the Fimples' house
11

Morning aftermath and corporate aftermath

In the morning, authorities begin to clean up the wreckage. Mars arrives, pays off Joe and the families for the damage, and orders Larry and Irwin to repurpose the Commando Elite to assist South American rebels. The company shifts gears to salvage what remains of the project.

Morning after EMP GloboTech HQ
12

Ending: friendship, homeward journey

Alan and Christy start a relationship, and the Gorgonites survive under the Fimples' satellite dish. Alan brings the Gorgonites to Yosemite and sends them off in his father's toy boat to find their home. The moment closes with a hopeful wish that peaceful coexistence might someday prevail.

Ending Yosemite National Park

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:23

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Movies with hostile technology like in Small Soldiers

Stories of ordinary lives disrupted by technology that turns against its creators.If you liked the suburban chaos of Small Soldiers, you'll enjoy these movies where everyday tech turns deadly. This list features tense, action-packed stories about AI rebellions, runaway machines, and technology gone wrong, all creating high-stakes survival scenarios in familiar settings.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with the introduction of a new technology that seems marvelous or harmless. This quickly escalates into a life-or-death struggle as the technology's programming or instincts override human control. The protagonists are often average individuals who must use their wits and courage to fight back against a threat that has invaded their personal space.

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These movies are grouped together because they share a core premise of technological hubris leading to immediate, chaotic danger. They blend science fiction with thriller and action elements, creating a specific vibe of high-tension, fast-paced conflict where the safety of the domestic sphere is violently compromised.

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High-action stories where a small-scale conflict spirals into overwhelming chaos.Fans of Small Soldiers will appreciate these films where a small incident snowballs into massive chaos. Discover similar movies featuring fast-paced action, tense survival scenarios, and stories about ordinary people facing a conflict that rapidly grows out of control, turning their world upside down.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a catalyst event that seems manageable at first but quickly gains momentum, drawing in more elements and increasing the danger exponentially. The structure is often straightforward, focusing on the immediate cause-and-effect of the escalation. Characters are thrust into a reactive role, fighting to survive and stop the spread of the chaos before it consumes everything.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their shared focus on rapid escalation and contained anarchy. They deliver a specific viewing experience characterized by a fast pace, high intensity, and a tense tone, as the audience watches a manageable situation devolve into a thrilling, large-scale crisis.

Unlock the Full Story of Small Soldiers

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Small Soldiers Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Small Soldiers, 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.

Small Soldiers Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Small Soldiers

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Small Soldiers

More About Small Soldiers

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