Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
The Great Gatsby (2013) movie poster

Timeline

The Great Gatsby (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 143 min · English
Directed by
Baz Luhrmann
Starring
Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan
Budget
$105M

In 1922 New York, Nick Carraway leaves the Midwest for the excitement of city life. He becomes neighbor to the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man known for his extravagant parties. Nick is drawn into Gatsby’s world, discovering a poignant story of ambition, romance, and the illusions of the American Dream. As Nick learns more about Gatsby's past and his relentless pursuit of a lost love, he witnesses the tragic consequences of chasing an unattainable ideal.

Drama Romance Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like The Great Gatsby
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Great Gatsby (2013)

Where can you watch The Great Gatsby? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Great Gatsby Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Great Gatsby (2013) 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. Nick's Recovery

    Nick Carraway is introduced as a Yale graduate and World War I veteran who is recovering from alcoholism at a sanatorium. His doctor, Walter Perkins, encourages him to express his complex emotions through writing, which becomes a significant outlet for Nick's experiences and reflections.

    When
    Early 1922
    Where
    Sanatorium

  2. Move to New York

    In the summer of 1922, Nick relocates from the Midwest to New York City, putting aside his aspirations of becoming a writer for a career in bond sales. He rents a modest home in West Egg, situated next to the extravagant mansion of the mysterious Jay Gatsby, wisps of rumors about whom begin to circulate.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    West Egg, New York

  3. Meeting Daisy and Tom

    Nick visits his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom in East Egg, where he encounters the cynical golfer Jordan Baker. During this visit, he becomes aware of Tom's infidelity, hinted by Jordan, and the troubling situation involving a woman from the 'valley of ashes'.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    East Egg, New York

  4. Visit to the Valley of Ashes

    Accompanying Tom to the valley of ashes, Nick visits the garage owned by George Wilson, who is unaware of Tom's affair with his wife, Myrtle. Amidst this seemingly ordinary outing, the situation escalates into chaos at an apartment where Tom confronts Myrtle, culminating in a violent altercation.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Valley of Ashes

  5. Gatsby's Party Invitation

    As the summer progresses, Nick receives a much-coveted invitation to one of Jay Gatsby's extravagant parties. To his astonishment, he discovers that among the myriad guests, few have actually met Gatsby, and his enigmatic persona has given rise to wild speculation and rumors about his origins.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Gatsby's Mansion, West Egg

  6. Meeting Gatsby

    At Gatsby's party, Nick finally meets the man himself, who is surprisingly youthful and exudes a sense of detachment. This encounter ignites a budding friendship between Nick and Gatsby, leading to subsequent invitations and meaningful discussions about life and aspirations.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Gatsby's Mansion, West Egg

  7. Lunch with Meyer Wolfshiem

    Gatsby invites Nick to lunch, where they meet Meyer Wolfshiem, a shady figure involved in the 1919 World Series scandal. Through these encounters, Nick learns about Gatsby's wealth and his undying love for Daisy, which drives the lavish lifestyle that includes grand parties.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    New York City

  8. Reunion with Daisy

    Gatsby confides in Nick about his desire to reunite with Daisy, which results in Nick organizing a tea at his home. The reunion is initially awkward as old feelings resurface, putting both Gatsby and Daisy in a vulnerable position as they rekindle their past romance.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Nick's Home, West Egg

  9. Confrontation with Tom

    Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan attend a tense luncheon with the Buchanans, where Gatsby's feelings for Daisy become apparent. Tom's jealousy surfaces, leading to a confrontation where Gatsby openly declares his love for Daisy, which escalates the brewing tension.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Buchanans' Home, East Egg

  10. Tragic Accident

    The group drives to the Plaza Hotel, but during the chaotic journey, Myrtle, Tom's mistress, mistakenly runs into the road and is tragically killed by Gatsby’s car. This incident sends shockwaves through the relationships, dramatically altering the course of events and deepening the tragedy.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Plaza Hotel

  11. Gatsby's Vigil

    In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Gatsby waits outside the Buchanans' mansion, hoping for Daisy to reach out to him. Despite confessing to Nick that Daisy was driving, Gatsby is willing to take the blame, showcasing his profound devotion to her.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Buchanans' Mansion

  12. Gatsby's Downfall

    Gatsby, in a moment of longing, decides to take a swim in his pool, believing it will bring him closer to Daisy. Instead, he is tragically killed by George Wilson, who seeks revenge for Myrtle's death, marking a heartbreaking end to Gatsby's dream.

    When
    Summer 1922
    Where
    Gatsby's Mansion, West Egg

  13. Gatsby's Funeral

    After Gatsby's death, Nick finds himself devastated as he witnesses the sparse turnout at Gatsby's funeral. Angry at the indifference of the city to Gatsby's sacrifice and legacy, he tells the journalists and voyeurs to leave, realizing he is one of the few who truly understood Gatsby.

    When
    Post-Summer 1922
    Where
    Gatsby's Mansion, West Egg

  14. Nick's Departure

    Feeling disillusioned with New York and the empty lives of its inhabitants, Nick decides to leave the city. He reflects on his tumultuous experiences and begins to pen his memoirs, which will eventually become the novel 'The Great Gatsby' that chronicles Gatsby's life and dreams.

    When
    Fall 1922
    Where
    New York City

Last updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:51

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Great Gatsby Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Great Gatsby (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Gatsby throw such extravagant parties?

Gatsby throws these lavish parties specifically to attract Daisy Buchanan, his lost love from five years earlier. Though he has amassed great wealth through questionable means, his sole purpose is to create a life impressive enough to win her back. The parties are essentially a public display of success designed to reach Daisy through the social network of Long Island.

Foreshadowing: The parties are foreshadowed early when Nick hears rumors about Gatsby before ever meeting him, establishing that Gatsby's wealth is already the talk of the city.

  • gatsby parties
  • daisy
  • jay gatsby
  • american dream
  • wealth
Q2

What drives Gatsby's obsession with Daisy?

Gatsby's obsession stems from his romantic idealization of Daisy from when they first met in 1917. He fell deeply in love with her beauty and social status, and after being sent to war, he built an elaborate fantasy that reuniting with her would complete his life. Nick warns him that the past cannot be replicated, but Gatsby refuses to accept this, believing he can recreate and reclaim what he lost.

  • gatsby love
  • daisy
  • obsession
  • past
  • romantic
Q3

Who kills Gatsby and why?

George Wilson kills Gatsby. After Myrtle dies in the hit-and-run accident, George learns from Tom Buchanan that the car belonged to Gatsby. Believing Gatsby was driving and that he had been Myrtle's secret lover, George seeks revenge. He shoots Gatsby in the pool, then commits suicide, believing he has avenged his wife's death.

Foreshadowing: The tragedy is foreshadowed by the earlier violent confrontation between Tom and Myrtle in the city apartment, showing the destructive potential of the love triangle.

  • george wilson
  • gatsby death
  • murder
  • myrtle
  • revenge
Q4

Who was driving the car when Myrtle was killed?

Daisy was driving Gatsby's car when she struck and killed Myrtle Wilson. However, Gatsby takes full responsibility for the accident, telling Nick he will claim he was driving. This act of devotion illustrates Gatsby's continued willingness to protect Daisy even at his own expense, though it also draws George's fatal vengeance toward him.

  • myrtle death
  • daisy driving
  • car accident
  • gatsby car
Q5

Why doesn't Daisy leave Tom for Gatsby?

Daisy hesitates to leave Tom because she is ultimately unwilling to give up the security and social status that her marriage provides. Though she enjoys Gatsby's attention and the excitement of their affair, when faced with a real choice between the two men at the Plaza Hotel, she cannot commit to leaving her comfortable life. Her wavering decision reflects her shallow nature and inability to escape the world she knows.

  • daisy
  • tom buchanan
  • choice
  • love triangle
Q6

What is Gatsby's real background and how did he get rich?

Gatsby's wealth comes from criminal activity. Through his connection with Meyer Wolfshiem, a gambler involved in the 1919 World Series scandal, Gatsby earned his fortune through bootlegging and other illicit ventures. Born James Gatz to poor farmers in North Dakota, he reinvented himself as Jay Gatsby, creating a fabricated identity to escape his humble origins and win Daisy.

  • gatsby wealth
  • meyer wolfshiem
  • bootlegging
  • criminal
  • origins
Q7

Why does nobody attend Gatsby's funeral?

Almost no one attends Gatsby's funeral because his wealth and parties attracted only hangers-on and social climbers, not genuine friends. Despite hosting hundreds of guests at his extravagant gatherings, none of them had any real connection to him. Even Meyer Wolfshiem refuses to get involved. Only Nick, Owl Eyes, and a few servants attend, and Nick is forced to send away journalists and curious onlookers.

  • funeral
  • gatsby death
  • guests
  • fake friends
Q8

What is the relationship between Tom and Myrtle?

Tom Buchanan is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, who is married to George Wilson, the owner of a garage in the valley of ashes. Tom uses a small apartment in the city for their secret meetings. When George discovers the affair, it adds to his despair and eventual breakdown. Myrtle actively seeks a higher social status through her relationship with Tom, much like Daisy represents for Gatsby.

  • tom buchanan
  • myrtle
  • affair
  • george wilson
  • valley of ashes
Q9

Why does Nick write about Gatsby's story?

Nick writes about Gatsby because he is the only person who truly understood him. After witnessing Gatsby's death and the indifference of the city to his memory, Nick feels compelled to tell the truth about the man behind the rumors. His doctor had encouraged him to express himself through writing, and his experiences with Gatsby inspire him to document this tragic story of the American Dream.

  • nick carraway
  • narrator
  • writing
  • memoir
  • the great gatsby
Q10

Why does Gatsby wait outside the Buchanans' house after the accident?

Gatsby waits outside the Buchanans' mansion because he believes Daisy will call him and leave Tom. Though he knows Daisy was driving the car that killed Myrtle, he takes responsibility and expects her to finally choose him. His naive faith in their love keeps him waiting by the pool, but Daisy never reaches out. This desperate vigil ultimately leads to his death when George Wilson arrives.

  • gatsby wait
  • daisy
  • buchanan house
  • pool
  • hope

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Great Gatsby, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about tragic obsession and illusion like The Great Gatsby

Stories where a beautiful ideal leads to a devastating, inevitable downfall. If you were captivated by the tragic pursuit of an unattainable dream in The Great Gatsby, explore these similar movies. This collection features stories of obsessive love, the hollowness of wealth, and characters whose grand illusions lead to heartbreaking consequences, perfect for fans of heavy, melancholic dramas.

  • tragic
  • obsessive
  • disillusioned
  • decadent
  • romantic
  • lonely
  • Tone: melancholic, tragic
  • Pacing: steady, building
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a protagonist who constructs their entire life around attaining a single, idealized goal—often a person from their past or a symbol of success. The plot builds steadily as they get closer to this dream, only to have it crumble, revealing it was an illusion all along, resulting in profound disillusionment or tragedy.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core narrative of a futile quest for an ideal, a melancholic tone, and a heavy emotional weight. They connect through themes of memory, obsession, and the stark contrast between dazzling appearances and inner desolation, creating a cohesive experience of tragic beauty.

Obsessed movie poster

Obsessed

2014
The Man Who Loved Women movie poster

The Man Who Loved Women

1983
Train Dreams movie poster

Train Dreams

2025
Somewhere in Time movie poster

Somewhere in Time

1980
The Broken Circle Breakdown movie poster

The Broken Circle Breakdown

2013
The Souvenir movie poster

The Souvenir

2019
High Art movie poster

High Art

1998
The Beautiful Person movie poster

The Beautiful Person

2008

Period dramas of wealth and corruption like The Great Gatsby

Lavish period pieces where wealth and excess mask spiritual emptiness and corruption. Fans of the lavish 1920s setting and critique of the wealthy elite in The Great Gatsby will love these movies. Discover similar films set in gilded ages where fabulous parties and immense wealth hide profound loneliness, adultery, and a tragic sense of disillusionment with the world.

  • decadent
  • anxious
  • nostalgic
  • reflective
  • lonely
  • tragic
  • Tone: melancholic, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative often uses an outsider's perspective to enter a world of extreme wealth and privilege. The story methodically peels back the layers of glamour to expose the corruption, infidelity, and spiritual bankruptcy of the characters, culminating in a event that shatters the illusion for everyone involved.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared setting of historical opulence, a critical lens on class and corruption, and a pervasive mood of nostalgia mixed with anxiety. They offer a visually rich but emotionally heavy exploration of how external splendor conceals internal ruin.

Dangerous Liaisons movie poster

Dangerous Liaisons

1988
Dangerous Liaisons (2012) movie poster

Dangerous Liaisons (2012)

2012
The Earrings of Madame de… movie poster

The Earrings of Madame de…

1953
Restoration movie poster

Restoration

1996
The House of Mirth movie poster

The House of Mirth

2000
The Leopard movie poster

The Leopard

1963
Dangerous Beauty movie poster

Dangerous Beauty

1998
The Fall of the Roman Empire movie poster

The Fall of the Roman Empire

1964

If you liked this

Movies Like The Great Gatsby

Similar movies to The Great Gatsby: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries
Breakfast at Tiffany's movie poster

Breakfast at Tiffany's

1961
Café Society movie poster

Café Society

2016
Great Expectations movie poster

Great Expectations

1998
The Great Gatsby movie poster

The Great Gatsby

1974
Daisy Miller movie poster

Daisy Miller

1974
The Great Gatsby movie poster

The Great Gatsby

2000
Manhattan Melodrama movie poster

Manhattan Melodrama

1934
The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing movie poster

The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing

1955
A Rosy Dream movie poster

A Rosy Dream

1932
The Great Gatsby movie poster

The Great Gatsby

1949
Extravagance movie poster

Extravagance

1930
The Heiress movie poster

The Heiress

1949

Every angle

The Great Gatsby (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Great Gatsby 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app