The Bear’s Tale

The Bear’s Tale

Year: 1940

Runtime: 9 mins

Language: English

AnimationFamilyComedy

The Three Bears meets Little Red Riding Hood, told in the style of Tex Avery.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Bear’s Tale 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 – The Bear’s Tale (1940)

Trace every key event in The Bear’s Tale (1940) 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 of the Bears and their breakfast

The film opens with Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear sitting at the breakfast table, waiting for their porridge, which is too hot to eat. As they observe the porridge, they decide to leave their cottage to take a ride while their porridge cools. Mama uses her mirror to check her appearance, adding a humorous touch.

Bears' cottage
2

The Bears go for a ride in the forest

The Bears get ready for their ride, with Mama and Papa on the tricycle and Baby riding along, with Baby powering the vehicle out of fear of an accident. They leave their cottage, heading into the forest for a break from their routine.

Forest near the cottage
3

Goldilocks finds the cottage

Goldilocks, skipping through the forest, discovers the Bears' cottage and knocks on the door. Inside, she encounters the Big Bad Wolf dressed in Grandma's nightgown, who is surprised to see her and tries to keep her from entering, suspecting she might spoil the story.

Bears' cottage entrance
4

The Wolf dismisses Goldilocks

The Wolf reveals that this is not the Bears' house but another location miles away. He quickly shoos Goldilocks out to prevent her from discovering the truth, showing his concern about her realizing the deception.

Bears' cottage entrance
5

The Wolf heads to the Bears' house

Realizing who Goldilocks is, the Wolf catches a taxi to the Bears' cottage, planning to secretly take his place in Baby Bear's bed and continue his mischief. He arrives and sneaks into the house through a window.

Bears' cottage
6

The Bears return home

The Bears finish their cycling trip and sing the police siren, with Papa Bear pretending to be a police car, causing laughter. They arrive home to find their bowls empty, indicating someone has been in their house.

Bears' cottage
7

The Wolf in the Bears' bed

Meanwhile, the Wolf is hiding in Baby Bear's bed, sneezing loudly. The Bears hear the noise and suspect an intruder, so they scramble to hide under the table to avoid detection.

Bears' cottage
8

Papa Bear discovers the Wolf

Papa Bear goes upstairs to confront the intruder, humorously expecting Goldilocks. Instead, he uncovers the Wolf in Baby Bear's bed, becomes terrified, and flees the scene with his family, alarmed by the intruder's presence.

Upstairs of the cottage
9

Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood's warning

Red Riding Hood, on her way to visit her Grandma, finds a note from the Wolf indicating he has gone to the Bears' house to eat Goldilocks. She quickly calls Goldilocks on the phone to warn her about the Wolf's plans.

Forest and phone
10

Bears' chaotic return

The Bears arrive home to find their food bowls empty. They hear the Wolf sneezing upstairs and realize there's an intruder in the house. They hide under the table as the situation unfolds.

Bears' cottage
11

Papa Bear confronts the Wolf

Papa Bear, gathering courage, heads upstairs to confront the intruder, expecting Goldilocks but discovering the Wolf in Baby Bear's bed. Frightened, he runs downstairs with his family, fleeing the cottage.

Upstairs of the cottage
12

The Bears escape the cottage

The Bears dash away from their home, with Papa Bear leading in a comedic fashion, as the narrator humorously comments on their escape, including a comical reference to a 'bare behind'.

Leaving the cottage

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:15

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 The Bear’s Tale

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

The Bear’s Tale Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Bear’s Tale, 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.

The Bear’s Tale Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Bear’s Tale

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Bear’s Tale

The Bear’s Tale Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Bear’s Tale 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.

The Bear’s Tale Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Bear’s Tale

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Bear’s Tale: 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 The Bear’s Tale