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The Croods: A New Age (2020) movie poster

Timeline

The Croods: A New Age (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 95 min · English
Echo score 75
JustWatch #30,615 4
Directed by
Joel Crawford
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Peter Dinklage, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Kelly Marie Tran, Cloris Leachman
Budget
$65M

Seeking a new home, the Croods find what appears to be a perfect paradise, but it’s already occupied by the sophisticated and seemingly superior Bettermans. These two very different families clash as their contrasting lifestyles and values create tension. However, when a common danger emerges, the Croods and the Bettermans must put aside their differences and work together on a thrilling and perilous adventure.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Croods: A New Age (2020)

Where can you watch The Croods: A New Age? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Croods: A New Age Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Croods: A New Age (2020) 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. The Croods Begin Their Quest

    The Croods embark on a perilous journey to find a new home, leaving their familiar surroundings behind. Alongside them on their adventure are their loyal friends, Chunky and Douglas, who help navigate the various hazards they encounter.

  2. Grug's Concern Over Eep and Guy

    Grug, the family's patriarch, expresses his growing unease about the developing romance between his son Guy and daughter Eep. He fears that their budding love could threaten the unity of the family as they navigate the dangers of their quest.

  3. Discovery of the Paradise Realm

    During their journey, Grug stumbles upon a massive wall that leads his family into a lush paradise. This new environment is a stark contrast to their previous experiences, filled with both wonder and unfamiliar challenges.

    Where
    Paradise Realm
  4. Encountering the Bettermans

    In this paradise, the Croods meet Phil and Hope Betterman, modern humans with whom Guy had a connection. The Bettermans showcase their advanced lifestyle and subtle disdain toward the Croods, creating an awkward dynamic.

    Where
    Bettermans' home
  5. Phil's Manipulative Scheme

    Phil Betterman devises a plan aimed at persuading Guy to abandon the Croods. He believes that staying with the Bettermans would be in Guy's best interest, despite the impending conflict it causes within the family.

  6. Eep's Friendship with Dawn

    Feeling constrained by her new environment, Eep forms a bond with Dawn, Phil and Hope's daughter. Together, they persuade Chunky to take them on a joyride, which ultimately ends in chaos, creating tension with Guy.

  7. Dinner Revelation

    During a family dinner, Grug inadvertently reveals Phil's manipulative intentions towards Guy. This confrontation prompts the Croods to decide that they can no longer tolerate the condescending attitude of the Bettermans.

    Where
    Bettermans' dining area
  8. The Croods Set Out

    After resolving that they need space, the Croods prepare to leave the Bettermans. However, their plans are disrupted when the vengeful Punch Monkeys capture Grug, Guy, and Phil, leading to a frantic rescue operation.

  9. Understanding the Punch Monkeys

    At the Punch Monkeys' lair, the group learns that the monkeys' aggression stemmed from an existential crisis triggered by Phil's agricultural practices. The Croods and Bettermans realize the urgency of restoring balance to the environment.

    Where
    Punch Monkeys' lair
  10. Stranded in the Icy Wasteland

    As the journey continues, both families find themselves trapped in an icy wasteland filled with dangerous wolf spiders. This shared struggle allows them to understand one another better and fosters a newfound respect among the families.

    Where
    Icy Wasteland
  11. Formation of The Thunder Sisters

    In a moment of solidarity, the two families adopt the name 'The Thunder Sisters.' Their cooperative spirit strengthens their bond and helps facilitate their reunion with Grug, Phil, and Guy to confront the Punch Monkeys.

  12. Final Showdown with the Spiny Mandrilla

    In a climactic encounter, Guy and Eep reconcile their differences and use a massive skull chandelier to defeat the Spiny Mandrilla. This victory not only saves their families but also reinforces their unity.

  13. A New Beginning

    With the immediate danger passed, the Croods and Bettermans recognize their similarities and decide to forge a collaboration. The Bettermans invite the Croods to settle on their land, paving the way for a future filled with hope.

    Where
    Bettermans' land
  14. Life Among the Bettermans

    Having accepted their new life, Guy and Eep begin to adapt to their future home with the Bettermans. The Punch Monkeys' arrival as new neighbors sets the stage for ongoing adventures and relationships.

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 15:48

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Timeline questions answered

The Croods: A New Age Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Croods: A New Age (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is Grug against Guy and Eep's relationship?

Grug fears that the budding romance between his daughter Eep and Guy will distract them from family unity and threaten their survival during the dangerous journey to find a new home. As the patriarch, Grug prioritizes keeping the family together above all else, and he worries that romantic feelings could cause his children to abandon their responsibilities to each other.

Foreshadowing: Early in the journey, Grug expresses unease about their growing closeness while navigating perilous hazards.

  • Grug
  • Guy
  • Eep
  • family unity
  • romance
  • Croods
Q2

Why does Phil Betterman want Guy to stay with the Bettermans?

Phil and Hope were close friends with Guy's late parents, and they believe Guy would be better off staying with them in their advanced, safe paradise rather than continuing the dangerous nomadic life with the Croods. Phil orchestrates situations to keep Guy away from the Croods, using Eep's affection for Guy as leverage against Grug.

Foreshadowing: The Bettermans showcase their technological superiority and polished manners, subtly suggesting they see themselves as better suited for Guy.

  • Phil Betterman
  • Guy
  • manipulate
  • stay
  • Bettermans
Q3

Why are the Punch Monkeys so aggressive and violent?

The Punch Monkeys' aggression stems not from their nature but from an existential crisis caused by Phil's irrigation efforts, which drained their land of vital water resources. Their violent behavior is a desperate response to survival, not inherent malice.

Foreshadowing: The timeline notes Phil's agricultural practices as the trigger for the monkeys' rage.

  • Punch Monkeys
  • attack
  • water
  • Phil
  • bananas
  • lair
Q4

What is the Spiny Mandrilla and why does it demand bananas?

The Spiny Mandrilla is a gigantic creature with ape-like features that serves as a warning of environmental imbalance. It appears when the Punch Monkeys' land becomes depleted of water due to Phil's farming. The creature demands bananas as a condition for restoring peace, essentially requiring the monkeys to give up their precious food source.

Foreshadowing: The water shortage caused by Phil's irrigation directly summons the creature.

  • Spiny Mandrilla
  • creature
  • bananas
  • demand
  • sacrifice
Q5

Why does Guy decide to stay with the Bettermans when the Croods leave?

Guy chooses to stay behind with Phil and Hope because he believes his survival skills and knowledge could help the Bettermans, and perhaps prove his worth to them. However, this decision creates tension with Eep, who feels abandoned. Ultimately, the external threat of the Punch Monkeys forces everyone to work together.

Foreshadowing: Phil's manipulative scheme to keep Guy has been building since the Croods arrived.

  • Guy
  • stay
  • Bettermans
  • leave
  • Croods
Q6

Why do the Punch Monkeys capture Grug, Guy, and Phil?

The Punch Monkeys kidnap the fathers as revenge for the bananas they used to receive from Phil daily. When the Bettermans stopped providing bananas due to the Croods' arrival, the monkeys blamed all the humans. Their plan was to sacrifice the captured men, particularly the sons, to the Spiny Mandrilla.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows the Punch Monkeys' anger stems from the interruption of their banana offerings.

  • Punch Monkeys
  • kidnap
  • Grug
  • Guy
  • Phil
  • sacrifice
  • sons
Q7

How do the Croods and Bettermans go from enemies to allies?

The two families forge an unbreakable bond while stranded together in an icy wasteland filled with dangerous wolf spiders. This shared life-or-death struggle forces Hope to set aside her biases against the Croods and recognize them as true equals. In this moment of solidarity, they adopt the name 'The Thunder Sisters.'

Foreshadowing: Earlier tensions between the families stem from the Bettermans' condescending attitude toward the Croods' primitive ways.

  • Croods
  • Bettermans
  • allies
  • Thunder Sisters
  • bond
  • Hope
  • icy wasteland
Q8

How do Guy and Eep defeat the Spiny Mandrilla?

Guy and Eep reconcile their differences after the families unite. Together, they use a gigantic skull chandelier as an improvised catapult, launching it at the Spiny Mandrilla and sending the creature crashing down to its doom. This teamwork saves both families from the sacrifice the Punch Monkeys had planned.

Foreshadowing: Earlier tension between Guy and Eep stems from his reprimand about her reckless joyride with Dawn.

  • Guy
  • Eep
  • Spiny Mandrilla
  • skull chandelier
  • defeat
  • catapult
Q9

Why do the Punch Monkeys become the Croods' neighbors at the end?

After the Spiny Mandrilla is defeated and peace is restored, the Punch Monkeys relocate to settle near the Bettermans' land. Their transformation from captors to neighbors represents the film's message of reconciliation and acceptance, showing that even former enemies can become allies.

Foreshadowing: The Punch Monkeys' aggression was caused by environmental desperation, not inherent evil.

  • Punch Monkeys
  • neighbors
  • settle
  • new beginning
  • future
Q10

How does Grug accidentally reveal Phil's manipulative scheme?

During dinner at the Bettermans' home, Grug inadvertently exposes Phil's plan to persuade Guy to abandon the Croods. This revelation angers the Croods and confirms their suspicions that the Bettermans have been condescending and manipulative throughout their stay.

Foreshadowing: Phil has been orchestrating situations to keep Guy and Eep apart since their arrival.

  • Grug
  • Phil
  • scheme
  • reveal
  • dinner
  • Croods
  • Bettermans

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Croods: A New Age, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Croods: A New Age tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about clashing cultures and united families like The Croods: A New Age

Two very different groups must overcome their prejudices to survive a common threat. If you enjoyed the clash between the Croods and Bettermans in 'The Croods: A New Age,' you'll like these movies. Discover similar family-friendly adventures and comedies where different groups overcome their initial conflicts through teamwork, leading to exciting stories about finding common ground.

  • family-friendly
  • humorous
  • adventurous
  • heartwarming
  • teamwork
  • optimistic
  • Tone: light, humorous, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with two distinct groups—often families, tribes, or communities—coming into contact. Their differing values and lifestyles create immediate, often humorous, friction. A sudden, larger threat forces them to set aside their squabbles, revealing that their unique strengths are complementary. The story climaxes with a cooperative effort that solidifies their newfound respect and unity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'enemy-to-ally' narrative arc applied to family or community dynamics. They balance comedic conflict with action-driven stakes and consistently deliver a positive, uplifting message about the power of collaboration over competition.

Fast-paced chaotic family adventures like The Croods: A New Age

Fast-paced, humorous journeys where a eccentric family faces wild obstacles. Looking for more movies with the hilarious, high-energy vibe of 'The Croods: A New Age'? This list features similar animated family films known for their chaotic action, eccentric characters, and feel-good humor, perfect for fans of non-stop fun and adventure.

  • chaotic
  • humorous
  • energetic
  • family-friendly
  • adventurous
  • slapstick
  • Tone: light, whimsical, energetic
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories follow a core, often unconventional, family as they are thrust into a series of escalating, comedic events. The plot is driven by the family's unique dynamics and their reactive, frequently chaotic, way of solving problems. The narrative prioritizes gags, visual humor, and thrilling set pieces, all while reinforcing the unbreakable, if sometimes messy, bonds of family.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their primary goal of delivering constant, lighthearted entertainment. They share a fast pace, a high humor score, a focus on family-centric characters, and a tone that is consistently optimistic and energetic, making the viewing experience exhilarating and fun.

Every angle

The Croods: A New Age (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Croods: A New Age 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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