The Hangover Part III

The Hangover Part III

Year: 2013

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Todd Phillips

Budget: $103M

Comedy

Two years after their chaotic trip to Bangkok, the Wolfpack gang finds themselves embarking on a different kind of mission. Alan, struggling with his mental health and without his medication, causes a series of unpredictable events. Phil, Stu, and Doug must then take Alan on a road trip to Las Vegas, the city where their wild adventures began, in an attempt to help him find stability and avoid further complications.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Hangover Part III 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!

The Hangover Part III (2013) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Hangover Part III (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

As the chaos in Bangkok comes to a close, Leslie Chow orchestrates a masterful prison break amidst a riot, effortlessly slipping into freedom. Meanwhile, Alan Garner, grappling with his circumstances, faces an unexpected crisis when he acquires a giraffe, only to horrifically decapitate it while driving under a low overpass. This bizarre incident triggers a tragic chain reaction, culminating in the heart-wrenching collapse of Alan’s father, Sid, from a heart attack during a frantic discussion, leaving the family in utter disarray.

After the funeral, Doug Billings, Alan’s brother-in-law, confides in Phil Wenneck and Stu Price about a shocking revelation: Alan has stopped taking his ADHD medication, leading to a steep decline in his behavior. Determined to intervene, the trio plans a trip to a rehabilitation facility in Arizona to help Alan regain stability, wagering that they can escort him there without incident.

However, their intentions quickly unravel when a rental truck forcefully rams Phil’s minivan off the road, ensnaring the Wolfpack as hostages. They come face-to-face with the sinister crime lord Marshall, accompanied by his menacing enforcer, “Black Doug.” The situation intensifies when Marshall discloses that Chow had stolen half of a $42 million gold stash shortly after their Las Vegas escapades and has been tracking Alan’s communications from prison.

In a high-stakes gamble, Marshall takes Doug hostage, threatening the Wolfpack to track down Chow within three days or face dire consequences. In a desperate bid, Alan arranges a secret meeting with Chow in Tijuana, enlisting Phil and Stu to masquerade as tourists in an attempt to ensnare him. Unfortunately, Alan’s miscalculation reveals their true intentions, allowing Chow to flip the situation onto them.

Chow cunningly unveils his scheme to reclaim the stolen gold hidden in the basement of a former villa of his. The reluctant group agrees to assist, only to find themselves double-crossed when Chow locks them in the basement, reinstates the security system, and makes off with Phil’s minivan. After being arrested and mysteriously released, they are whisked into a sleek limousine that takes them back to the villa, now in Marshall’s possession.

Upon arrival, the Wolfpack is astounded to learn that Chow had been manipulating them all along: the gold they had previously stolen was merely the portion Chow neglected to acquire from Marshall. As a grim reminder of their blunder, Chow spares the Wolfpack but eliminates “Black Doug,” presenting them with an urgent two-day deadline to locate Chow before everything spirals into chaos once more.

Tracking down Chow through the digital breadcrumb left by Phil’s wayward phone at a pawn shop reveals it had been traded for a meager $18,000, far beneath its actual worth of $400,000. The pawn shop owner, Cassie, provides pivotal information that Chow has been visiting an escort service, offering her business card as a conduit for their inquiries. With the help of Stu’s former love, Jade, they discover Chow hiding in a lavish penthouse at Caesars Palace. Under the cloak of night, Phil and Alan attempt a stealthy infiltration but end up losing Chow, who descends from the balcony and parachutes onto the vibrant Las Vegas Strip.

Eventually, Stu tracks down Chow and successfully confines him to the trunk of Marshall’s limousine, seizing a precious gold brick in the process. Upon their meet-up with Marshall, he is prepared to relinquish Doug, as retrieving the original gold piece appears futile, lost during Chow’s escapades in Bangkok. Despite his earlier assurances, Marshall disposes of the trunk with the assumption that Chow is no more. Surprisingly, Alan had secretly aided Chow by providing him with an escape route, just as Marshall discovers the trunk is empty. Chow emerges from the moonroof of the limousine, unleashing a revenge spree against Marshall and his bodyguard while showing mercy towards Phil, Stu, and Doug, thanks to Alan’s earlier intervention.

In a surprising gesture, Chow gifts Alan a bar of gold, expressing gratitude for his lifesaving actions. However, Alan declines, stepping away from Chow’s influence and thus ending their tumultuous friendship. As the group departs, leaving Chow in his remorse, they head to reclaim Phil’s forsaken vehicle from the pawn shop. Meanwhile, Alan opts to linger behind, setting plans in motion with Cassie, marking a pivotal turn in their relationship.

Fast forward six months, as the wedding bells ring, Alan chooses to leave the Wolfpack behind, embarking on a fresh chapter in his life. In a thrilling mid-credits scene, the group, alongside Cassie, finds themselves in the trenches of another wild party, struggling to piece together the night’s events. Stu wakes up wearing a pink lady’s thong and sporting breast implants, prompting fragmented memories to surface. Alan recalls that the wedding cake came courtesy of none other than Chow himself.

As the astonishing scene concludes, Chow makes a cheeky appearance from the bathroom, stark naked and wielding a katana. In a raucous finale, the infamous Bangkok monkey drops in from above, cascading onto Stu, who scrambles in sheer terror and disbelief.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:36

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Frantic Capers like The Hangover Part III

When a simple plan spirals into a chaotic, high-pressure race against time.If you enjoyed the high-stakes chaos of The Hangover Part III, you'll like these movies. This list features comedies and crime stories where a simple plan devolves into a frantic, fast-paced adventure filled with unpredictable twists and dangerous encounters.

franticchaotichigh-stakesunpredictabletenseabsurdrace-against-time

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a straightforward goal that is immediately complicated by unforeseen events. The plot unfolds as a chain reaction of mishaps, forcing the characters to navigate a web of criminal elements and tight deadlines, with the primary conflict being external pressure and the threat of catastrophic failure.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared high-intensity, fast-paced energy and a tone that balances tense, life-or-death situations with comedic absurdity. The focus is on the collective ordeal of a group under extreme duress.

Chaotic Buddy Journeys like The Hangover Part III

Friendships are tested on wildly unpredictable roads, where chaos and care collide.Looking for more movies like The Hangover Part III? This collection highlights chaotic buddy adventures where a road trip or mission is derailed by absurd events, all while exploring themes of friendship and helping a friend through a difficult time.

buddieschaoticroad-tripunpredictableheartfeltfriendshippersonal crisis

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a group of friends, often with contrasting personalities, who are compelled to undertake a journey for the well-being of one of their own. The external plot is a chaotic series of obstacles, but the internal journey is about reaffirming bonds and providing support through a personal struggle.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mix: a fast-paced, comedic caper structure layered with a medium emotional weight derived from themes of friendship and personal crisis. The experience is defined by this balance of frantic action and heartfelt character connection.

Unlock the Full Story of The Hangover Part III

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Hangover Part III 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 Hangover Part III is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Hangover Part III Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Hangover Part III with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Hangover Part III Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hangover Part III

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hangover Part III

The Hangover Part III Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Hangover Part III 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 Hangover Part III Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Hangover Part III

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Hangover Part III: 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 Hangover Part III