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The Harry Hill Movie (2013) movie poster

Timeline

The Harry Hill Movie (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 85 mins · English
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Directed by
Steve Bendelack
Starring
Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Tim Key, Matt Lucas, Johnny Vegas, Julian Barratt

Harry Hill embarks on a road trip to Blackpool with his Nan when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.

Family Comedy Adventure Cast, crew & box office
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
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Harry Hill Movie Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Harry Hill Movie (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. Morning scooter chase with Nan

    Harry and Nan zoom through the streets on a scooter, with Nan unaware that the rider is her grandson. The scene blends slapstick humor with a touch of danger as the pursuit unfolds. The chase ends with Harry being sent off on a chicken-fetching errand, kicking off the day’s misadventures.

    When
    Morning, Day 1

  2. Chicken coop chaos and gunfire

    Harry’s mission to fetch a chicken spirals into chaos when the coop’s chickens open fire with a machine gun and toss a grenade. He retaliates by hurling the explosive back, blowing up the coop in a cartoonish blaze of feathers. The sequence sets the tone for the film’s outrageous humor.

    When
    Late morning
    Where
    Chicken coop, local farm

  3. Nan’s tale of Otto

    Nan sits Harry down to recount the family legend of his twin Otto, allegedly abandoned in the 1970s and raised by Alsatians. Harry listens with skepticism, hinting at deeper family history the road trip won’t slow down. The moment threads mystery into the chaotic journey.

    When
    Midday
    Where
    In the car

  4. Abu falls ill; doctor’s bleak prognosis

    Hamster Abu becomes gravely ill, and a veterinary team informs them he has only a week to live. Harry and Nan vow to do whatever it takes to keep him alive. They soon realize Ed and Kisko may be pursuing Abu for Otto.

    When
    Afternoon
    Where
    Local veterinary clinic

  5. Disguises and a mistaken read

    Ed and Kisko disguise themselves as a priest and a nun to recapture Abu. Harry walks in, misreading the scene as a gay encounter, adding another layer of absurd humor. With the disguise challenged, the chase resumes in earnest.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    On the road

  6. Abu’s wish and a road-trip to Blackpool

    Abu expresses a wish to visit Rihanna, which Harry misreads as a desire for a trip to Blackpool. The trio hops into a vintage Rover P6, turning a simple errand into a roaming misadventure. The journey continues with wild detours and surprises.

    When
    Night
    Where
    In transit

  7. Pursuit in a giant cone and a quirky B&B

    Ed and Kisko give chase in an oversized mobile traffic cone and end up in the town of Blackpole by mistake. They crash for the night at a B&B run by The Magic Numbers, adding a surreal pit stop to the road trip. The misadventure continues as the hunt tightens.

    When
    Next day, morning
    Where
    Blackpole

  8. Nuclear plant tour and Abu’s kaiju moment

    Abu is given a guided tour of a nuclear power plant by Bill the cleaner, who is dressed in drag. The encounter triggers a temporary mutation that turns Abu into a giant, kaiju-like creature. Ed and Kisko renew their disguises as cleaners to pursue him.

    When
    Midday
    Where
    Nuclear power plant

  9. Shell People rescue and underwater meeting

    The trio meets Barney Cull, a Shell Person who pleads for help against a gift-shop threat. They venture into an underwater realm where Harry encounters Michelle, daughter of the Shell King Conch. He feels a pull but cannot settle into life beneath the waves.

    When
    Afternoon
    Where
    Shell People underwater world

  10. Boxing match and fuel crisis

    Ed stages a boxing match with Kisko in a ringmaster guise to protect Abu. Harry wins using a free stick of rock, a small victory amid mounting chaos. A petrol shortage forces a sudden halt, causing them to abandon Abu and seek fuel.

    When
    Late afternoon
    Where
    Wooded area/on the road

  11. Otto, Renard, and a Blackpool spectacle

    Otto teams with Renard Depardieu as the group arrives in Blackpool in a limo, with Ed and Kisko posing as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Michelle resurfaces and Abu is captured again, replaced by Renard wearing a hamster hoodie. The show marks a chaotic convergence of allies and rivals.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Blackpool

  12. Trail to Otto’s hideout

    A breadcrumb trail of BBQ-flavored Hula Hoops leads to Otto’s hideout. Nan admits she once tried to get rid of Otto by confusing him with Harry, adding a personal sting to the pursuit. Killer brains threaten the group, but the Shell People come to the rescue, and Barney’s romance with Michelle is affirmed.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Otto’s hideout

  13. Tower finale: rescue and reckoning

    The chase reaches the top of Blackpool Tower, where Nan saves Harry and Abu in a helicopter. Otto is defeated, and Ed and Kisko begin the road to reform. Abu’s illness is revealed as a harmless quirk—sucking on a green felt-tip pen.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Blackpool Tower

  14. Celebration and closing bonds

    The Shell People celebrate in their cave with a chorus, and the film closes on bonds formed and a surprisingly touching family story. New friendships and rivalries are resolved as the journey ends.

    When
    End

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:48

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Timeline questions answered

The Harry Hill Movie Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does Nan tell Harry about his twin brother Otto?

Nan reveals that she abandoned Otto in the 1970s because she couldn't care for both twins and kept confusing him with Harry. This family secret explains Otto's vendetta against Harry later in the film and provides motivation for his scheme to steal Abu.

Foreshadowing: Nan mentions this story early in the road trip, but its significance only becomes clear when Otto's true intentions are revealed.

  • nan
  • otto
  • family secret
  • abandoned twin
Q2

Why are Ed and Kisko trying to kidnap Abu?

Ed and Kisko are working for Otto, Harry's twin brother who was abandoned as a child. Otto wants to capture Abu to turn him into a model figurine for his collection, using the hamster's terminal illness as part of his elaborate scheme.

Foreshadowing: The veterinarians show unusual interest in Abu beyond normal medical concern, hinting at their true motives.

  • ed
  • kisko
  • abu
  • otto
  • kidnap
  • hamster
Q3

What is Otto's plan for Abu the hamster?

Otto reveals at his hideout that he wants to turn Abu into a collectible model figurine. His motivation stems from being deserted by Nan as a baby, and he channels his resentment toward Harry into this bizarre kidnapping plan.

Foreshadowing: The breadcrumb trail of BBQ-flavored Hula Hoops leads directly to Otto's hideout where his revenge plan unfolds.

  • otto
  • abu
  • figurine
  • collection
  • revenge
Q4

Why does Abu become a giant creature at the nuclear power plant?

During a guided tour of the nuclear power plant, Abu is exposed to radiation which temporarily transforms him into a giant, kaiju-like creature. This surreal mutation is just one of the film's absurd, cartoonish twists that resolves without lasting consequences.

Foreshadowing: Bill the cleaner taking Abu into a nuclear facility hints at unusual consequences to come.

  • abu
  • giant
  • kaiju
  • nuclear
  • radiation
  • mutation
Q5

Who are the Shell People and why do they need help?

The Shell People are an underwater civilization encountered during the road trip. Barney Cull, a member of the Shell People, pleads for help rescuing their children who have been captured in a gift shop. Harry and his group agree to assist, leading to an underwater adventure.

Foreshadowing: The Shell People's appearance comes after Harry and Nan help stranded travelers, establishing their helpful nature.

  • shell people
  • barney
  • underwater
  • gift shop
  • capture
Q6

Why does Harry think Abu wants to go to Blackpool instead of Rihanna?

Abu expresses a wish to visit Rihanna, but Harry cannot communicate with hamsters and misreads the desire as a trip to Blackpool. This misunderstanding sets the entire destination for the road trip and drives much of the film's plot.

Foreshadowing: The moment where Abu 'speaks' his wish comes right after Harry walks in on Ed and Kisko's failed disguise attempt.

  • abu
  • rihanna
  • blackpool
  • wish
  • misunderstanding
Q7

What actually causes Abu's illness?

The veterinarians initially give Abu a terminal diagnosis with only a week to live, creating urgent drama. However, it's later revealed that Abu was simply sucking on a green felt-tip pen, a common hamster quirk that caused his symptoms. The illness is completely harmless.

Foreshadowing: The extremely bleak prognosis seems disproportionate to the actual cause, fitting the film's pattern of absurd overreaction.

  • abu
  • illness
  • felt-tip pen
  • hamster
  • veterinarian
Q8

Why did Nan abandon Otto as a baby?

Nan admits she abandoned Otto because she couldn't afford to care for both twins and kept confusing him with Harry. She 'got rid' of Otto by leaving him somewhere, which led to him being raised by Alsatians according to her earlier story. This family secret is revealed when they reach Otto's hideout.

Foreshadowing: Nan's earlier telling of the Otto story plants the seed of this revelation.

  • nan
  • otto
  • abandoned
  • family secret
  • twins
Q9

How does Harry meet Michelle from the Shell People?

Harry meets Michelle when the group ventures into the Shell People's underwater world to help rescue their captured children. Michelle is the daughter of Shell King Conch, and Harry feels a romantic connection with her, though he ultimately cannot adjust to life underwater.

Foreshadowing: The underwater meeting occurs after Barney pleads for help with the gift shop situation.

  • michelle
  • shell people
  • underwater
  • harry
  • conch
Q10

How does the final chase at Blackpool Tower end?

The chase reaches the top of Blackpool Tower where Nan rescues Harry and Abu in a helicopter. Otto is defeated, and Ed and Kisko begin their path to reform. This climactic confrontation ends the film on a triumphant note with all conflicts resolved.

Foreshadowing: The trail of BBQ-flavored Hula Hoops leads directly to this final confrontation at Blackpool Tower.

  • blackpool tower
  • chase
  • helicopter
  • nan
  • otto defeated

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Harry Hill Movie, by Mood & Story

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

Absurdist Road Trip Movies like The Harry Hill Movie

Chaotic and whimsical journeys where the destination matters less than the bizarre detours. If you enjoyed the chaotic, silly road trip in The Harry Hill Movie, you'll love these films. This list features similar comedies with bizarre adventures, surreal humor, and a fast-paced string of misadventures on the open road, perfect for fans of whimsical and lighthearted journeys.

  • absurd
  • quirky
  • chaotic
  • silly
  • lighthearted
  • surreal
  • Tone: whimsical, silly
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow characters embarking on a journey for a simple, often ridiculous, reason. The narrative structure is a linear sequence of increasingly strange and humorous events, encounters, and chases, with minimal dramatic stakes. The plot serves as a vehicle for delivering a rapid-fire series of gags and surreal twists.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared foundation of a road trip narrative used as a platform for absurdist comedy, fast pacing, and a whimsical tone that prioritizes laughter and lighthearted chaos over emotional depth or complex plotting.

The Road to Hong Kong movie poster

The Road to Hong Kong

1962
Pee-wee's Big Holiday movie poster

Pee-wee's Big Holiday

2016
Honky Tonk Freeway movie poster

Honky Tonk Freeway

1981
Nothing But Trouble movie poster

Nothing But Trouble

1991
The Harry Hill Movie movie poster

The Harry Hill Movie

2013
The Ridiculous movie poster

The Ridiculous

2024
Delirious movie poster

Delirious

1991
Scavenger Hunt movie poster

Scavenger Hunt

1979

Whimsical Farce Comedies similar to The Harry Hill Movie

Comedies where outrageous silliness is anchored by a surprisingly tender core. Fans of The Harry Hill Movie who loved its blend of ridiculous humor and heartfelt moments will find more to enjoy here. Discover movies that master the art of the whimsical farce, featuring chaotic plots, silly characters, and hilarious gags, all while maintaining a light, positive, and ultimately sweet tone.

  • whimsical
  • silly
  • heartwarming
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • bemused
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted
  • Pacing: fast, busy
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central, often sentimental, premise—like saving a pet or reuniting a family—that gets wildly exaggerated through farcical elements: mistaken identities, chases, and surreal events. Despite the chaos, the emotional core remains simple and positive, leading to an unambiguously happy resolution where the heartfelt goal is achieved amidst the comedy.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their unique ability to be both incredibly silly and genuinely sweet. They share a fast-paced, whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a structure where absurdity amplifies, rather than undermines, a simple, positive message.

UHF movie poster

UHF

1989
Christmas in July movie poster

Christmas in July

1940
Fierce Creatures movie poster

Fierce Creatures

1997
Happily N'Ever After movie poster

Happily N'Ever After

2007
Snow White and the Three Stooges movie poster

Snow White and the Three Stooges

1961
Delirious movie poster

Delirious

1991
Where’s That Fire movie poster

Where’s That Fire

1939
Bedlam in Paradise movie poster

Bedlam in Paradise

1955

Every angle

The Harry Hill Movie (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Harry Hill Movie 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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