The Naughty Nine

The Naughty Nine

Year: 2023

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Alberto Belli

Echo Score: 64

Budget: $32M

AdventureTV MovieCrimeFamilyComedy

After waking up on Christmas morning without a present from Santa, fifth-grader Andy is convinced he’s been unfairly placed on the naughty list. Determined to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his, Andy assembles a team of eight other children who have also been denied gifts. Together, they plan an elaborate heist on Santa’s Village in the North Pole, hoping to retrieve the presents they feel they deserve and prove that they aren't so naughty after all.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Naughty Nine (2023)

Trace every key event in The Naughty Nine (2023) 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

Andy and Dulce's school heist and trouble

Andy Steele and his best friend Dulce Gutierrez pull a heist, stealing confiscated toys from their school to return to kids in exchange for money. Their scheme lands them in trouble with Laurel, Andy's sister who always tries to do the right thing. Dulce's reckless streak contrasts with Andy's more cunning plans, setting up ongoing friction.

Pre-Christmas School
2

On Christmas Day: missing gifts and Naughty List hint

On Christmas Day, Andy discovers he didn't get his video game console and Dulce realizes she didn't get her bow and arrow set. They realize they might be on Santa's Naughty List, a suspicion that grows when their tech-savvy friend Lewis Sobong explains how the list works. Lewis's algorithm reveals a wider pool of fellow 'naughty' kids as well.

Christmas Day Andy's home
3

Discovering the Naughty List expands

Lewis's online scan confirms that many other kids are on the Naughty List, not just Andy and Dulce. The trio debates what it means to be on the list and whether reclaiming gifts is even possible. The humbling realization sparks a bold plan to confront Santa at the North Pole.

Christmas Day Lewis's place
4

Plan to reach the North Pole

Feeling wronged by Santa's selective judgment, Andy and Dulce decide to travel to the North Pole to retrieve their gifts, with Lewis agreeing to join despite not being on the list. The plan gains momentum as they prepare to depart on this last-minute quest. They consolidate their resources at Lewis's place before heading out.

Christmas Day evening Lewis's place
5

Narrowing down to locals

Using his internet search, Lewis narrows the Naughty Nine candidates to locals they know, making the mission feel possible. Andy, Dulce, and Lewis assemble their makeshift crew and begin final preparations for the journey. The stakes rise as the team moves from theory to action.

Shortly after Christmas Day Lewis's place
6

Bruno joins; Bethany backs out; Laurel recruited

Bruno, a pilot familiar to Andy's father, agrees to fly the kids toward the North Pole after claiming he once saw Santa's reindeer. Bethany backs out at the last moment after getting the cell phone her parents bought for her, so Laurel is recruited to fill in by claiming Bethany mocked Laurel's abilities.

Pre-departure Airport / Bruno's hangar
7

Flight to the North Pole

Bruno flies the kids toward the North Pole. Jon Anthony privately tells Rose that he is on the Naughty List because his 'originals' are stolen designs, though he still helps by crafting elf costumes for everyone.

In flight Bruno's plane
8

Emergency landing and entering Santa's Village

The flight forces an emergency landing near Santa's Village, and Bruno uses a cover of inventory to explain the stop to local authorities. The kids slip into Santa's Village by distracting an elf with Albert's cuteness.

During the journey Near the North Pole / Santa's Village
9

The Naughty List and the vault

They locate Santa's vault, which is mostly empty and filled with their gifts, and realize they themselves are on the Naughty List except for Laurel. They seize the gifts as payback, and Laurel takes Bethany's phone in the scramble.

Infiltration Santa's Village / Vault
10

Escape from Santa's Village

Rose and Ha-Yoon aid in the escape, and the group flees elf security while grabbing Lewis and Albert. Andy's disillusionment grows when he sees Laurel snatch Bethany's phone for herself.

Escape sequence Santa's Village / North Pole
11

Plane pursuit and Santa's confrontation

Bruno warns that he is being forced back into the air and the kids must jump into the moving plane; Andy chooses not to board and keeps the gifts as elf security catches him.

Escape climax Moving plane
12

Confrontation with Santa and the resolution

Andy is taken to Santa Claus, who threatens permanent punishment. Andy argues that he should bear the punishment alone, and Santa shortens the list to just him and Laurel, releasing the rest of the Naughty Nine. The siblings reconcile as they realize they can challenge the system together.

Immediately after capture Santa's Office
13

Santa's mercy and a holiday selfie

Santa explains that no one stays on the naughty list forever and the group is allowed to leave for now. Bruno even gets a selfie with Santa, signaling a rare moment of holiday peace.

End of the confrontation Santa's Village
14

One year later: re-recruitment

A year later, Andy, now very well-behaved, is summoned to the principal's office where Santa unexpectedly appears to enlist him to re-recruit the Naughty Nine for an unknown purpose.

One year later School principal's office

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:23

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