Stowaways on the Ark

Stowaways on the Ark

Year: 1988

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: German

Director: Wolfgang Urchs

FamilyAnimation

Willie, a sweet little woodworm, accidentally finds himself aboard Noah’s Ark as an unintended stowaway. When Noah and the gathered animals notice holes appearing in the wooden hull, they blame the tiny intruder, suspecting him of drilling. The tale humorously asks whether Willie can truly be held responsible for the damage.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Stowaways on the Ark 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 – Stowaways on the Ark (1988)

Trace every key event in Stowaways on the Ark (1988) 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

The elder woodworm begins the tale on a mountain

An old woodworm speaks from his mountain home, starting the legend of his ancestors and their voyage aboard Noah's ark. He recounts the journey of the family and the salvation the ark represents. The tale frames the voyage as a divine mission guided by God.

Before the flood mountain top
2

Willi and Alice in a trunk during the ark's construction

Willi and his wife Alice live inside a hole in a trunk as the ark is being built. They witness the carpenter shaping the timber and the trunks being cut to fit the ship. Inside their wooden world, they sense the changes around them as the ark takes form.

During construction inside a trunk
3

God's signs and the signal of life from the ark

God confirms Noah's mission to save a pair from each animal species. He celebrates in a curious way by tossing a bottle onto the ark, which bounces without breaking. The cork's termites begin to disperse, hinting at troubles to come.

Early voyage on the ark's deck
4

Crows are sent to inform the animals

God commands crows to inform the ecosystem about the ark and the coming voyage. Noah and his family begin guiding the creatures aboard as the journey prepares to begin.

Early voyage near the ark
5

Dragon fails to board due to egg mishap

A female dragon tries to board with her egg, but the egg slips and breaks. Without a partner to join her, she is not allowed to enter the ship. This moment highlights the ark's pairing rule and the challenges of inclusion.

During embarkation ark entrance
6

The flood begins as rain starts

God sends rain and the flood begins to rise. The ark slowly sets sail, becoming a sanctuary for all aboard. Outside, the world is transformed as waters engulf the land.

Beginning of the flood on the floodwaters
7

Willi discovers dark tunnels

Willi discovers dark tunnels during the voyage and fears what lies inside the wood. He warns his family, creating tension among the inhabitants of the ark. Meanwhile, Willi and Alice continue to produce many woodworm offspring, swelling their growing colony.

During voyage inside the ark, tunnels
8

Debate and discord between the upper and lower decks

On the upper deck, a bear tries to energize the ship with music, while on the lower deck another bear urges singing. The two groups blame each other for the food shortages and the lack of harmony. The rift tests the fragile balance among the ark's inhabitants.

During voyage inside ark, between decks
9

Willi urges a tunnel search

Willi tells his children that the family must search the tunnels for danger or answers. The young woodworms begin drilling, alerting other animals with the noise. The ongoing fear and blame among the decks grows as the voyage continues.

During voyage inside the ark, tunnels
10

Ants distract termites and rescue Alice

Termites capture Alice, trapping her near the tunnels. A woodworm recalls that ants can release an odor to distract termites, giving a chance to rescue. Willi and two of his sons drill from the ants' location toward the tunnel to free her.

During voyage near the tunnels, inside the ark
11

Floors crumble and honey seals the gaps

The ark's floors crumble and the ship begins to flood in places. The bears discover honey and use it to plug the holes, buying time for the crew to stabilize the situation. This act helps to ease tensions and foster a fragile alliance between the decks.

During voyage inside ark
12

Termite mound collapse and the ark drifts

A tumulus of termites near the bow breaks apart, further compromising the deck. The ark ends up floating in the sea as the threat of flooding persists. A walrus in the water directs whales to drag the ark toward land.

Mid-voyage open sea near bow
13

Ark reaches shore and the animals debark

The ark makes landfall and the water level recedes enough for the animals to debark. The woodworm couple, long separated by the voyage, reunite. The ship-like home completes its transition to a new era for its tiny inhabitants.

After arrival shore
14

The ark becomes a home for generations of woodworms

After all creatures have left, the woodworms stay inside the ark, making it their home for generations. Over time the ark shrinks to the smallest remaining traces, and the old woodworm continues to live among them. People search for the ark's remains but, as time passes, less of the ark remains to be found.

Generations later inside ark, now on land

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:35

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Stowaways on the Ark

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

Stowaways on the Ark Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stowaways on the Ark, 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.

Stowaways on the Ark Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Stowaways on the Ark

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Stowaways on the Ark

More About Stowaways on the Ark

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Stowaways on the Ark: 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 Stowaways on the Ark

Similar Movies to Stowaways on the Ark

Discover movies like Stowaways on the Ark 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.