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The Naughty Nine (2023) movie poster

Timeline

The Naughty Nine (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 83 mins · English
Echo score 64
JustWatch #2,927 14
Directed by
Alberto Belli
Starring
Danny Glover, Winslow Fegley, Daniel Stolfi, Deric McCabe, Randal Edwards, Mike Chute
Budget
$32M

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.

Adventure Crime Family Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Naughty Nine
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Naughty Nine (2023)

Where can you watch The Naughty Nine? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on FilmBox+, fuboTV and Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Naughty Nine Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Naughty Nine (2023) 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. 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.

    When
    Pre-Christmas
    Where
    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.

    When
    Christmas Day
    Where
    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.

    When
    Christmas Day
    Where
    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.

    When
    Christmas Day evening
    Where
    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.

    When
    Shortly after Christmas Day
    Where
    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.

    When
    Pre-departure
    Where
    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.

    When
    In flight
    Where
    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.

    When
    During the journey
    Where
    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.

    When
    Infiltration
    Where
    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.

    When
    Escape sequence
    Where
    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.

    When
    Escape climax
    Where
    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.

    When
    Immediately after capture
    Where
    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.

    When
    End of the confrontation
    Where
    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.

    When
    One year later
    Where
    School principal's office

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:23

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Timeline questions answered

The Naughty Nine Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Naughty Nine (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Andy on Santa's Naughty List?

Andy was placed on the Naughty List because he and Dulce pulled a school heist, stealing confiscated toys from their school to return to kids in exchange for money. This rule-breaking behavior automatically qualified him for the list.

Foreshadowing: The movie opens with Andy and Dulce's school heist, establishing early that Andy routinely breaks rules.

  • andy naughty list
  • school heist
  • santa list
  • why naughty
Q2

Why did Laurel join the Naughty Nine?

Laurel was recruited to replace Bethany, who backed out of the plan at the last moment after receiving a new cell phone from her parents. Andy convinced Laurel to join by suggesting Bethany had mocked her abilities.

Foreshadowing: Laurel's competitive dynamic with Andy makes her willing to prove herself, even in an unconventional mission.

  • laurel joins heist
  • naughty nine
  • replacement
  • why joined
Q3

Why was Jon Anthony on the Naughty List?

Jon Anthony confesses to Rose that he is on the Naughty List because his so-called 'original' artwork pieces are actually stolen designs, not his own creations.

Foreshadowing: This revelation adds depth to Jon Anthony's character and explains his willingness to help the group despite being on the list.

  • jon anthony naughty list
  • stolen designs
  • elf costumes
Q4

Why did Santa reduce the punishment to only Andy and Laurel?

When Santa threatened to place everyone on the permanent naughty list, Andy volunteered to take the punishment alone to protect his friends. This act of self-sacrifice impressed Santa, who then reduced the punishment to just Andy and Laurel, releasing the other seven kids.

Foreshadowing: Andy's leadership and willingness to accept responsibility for the group mirrors his earlier role as the heist planner.

  • santa punishment
  • naughty list
  • self-sacrifice
  • reduced sentence
Q5

How was Andy caught by elf security?

Andy chose not to board the escaping plane and stayed behind to keep the stolen gifts, allowing elf security to capture him. He deliberately sacrificed his escape so the others could get away with the presents.

Foreshadowing: This moment reflects Andy's growth from selfish troublemaker to someone willing to protect others.

  • andy captured
  • elf security
  • escape
  • plane jump
Q6

Why did Laurel take Bethany's phone during the escape?

During the chaotic escape from Santa's vault, Laurel grabbed Bethany's phone as a form of repayment for the risks she took filling in for Bethany. Andy disapproved of this theft, creating tension between them.

Foreshadowing: This moment reveals Laurel's moral weakness and creates conflict that needs resolution before the movie's end.

  • laurel phone theft
  • bethany phone
  • moral compromise
Q7

Why did Bruno agree to fly the kids to the North Pole?

Bruno, a pilot who had seen Santa's reindeer flying in the sky, believed in the existence of the North Pole and Santa's operation. This firsthand experience made him willing to help the kids confront what he saw as an unfair system.

Foreshadowing: Bruno's belief in Santa stems from his aviation experiences, giving credibility to his decision to join the mission.

  • bruno pilot
  • north pole flight
  • reindeer
  • belief
Q8

What happens at the end when Santa returns one year later?

One year after the heist, Andy has been well-behaved and is summoned to the principal's office where Santa appears. Santa reveals that Andy will be asked to re-recruit the Naughty Nine for an unknown future purpose, setting up a potential sequel.

Foreshadowing: The post-credits scene mirrors Andy's original recruitment of the team, suggesting his role as a leader has evolved.

  • santa returns
  • sequel
  • naughty nine re-recruited
  • ending
Q9

Why was Santa's vault mostly empty when the kids infiltrated it?

The vault contained mostly the specific gifts meant for the Naughty Nine themselves, the video game console Andy wanted, the bow-and-arrow set Dulce wanted, and other items intended for the kids on the list. This revealed that Santa had already prepared their presents despite their status on the Naughty List.

Foreshadowing: This discovery adds irony to the situation, the kids were stealing their own gifts all along.

  • santa vault
  • empty
  • presents
  • gifts stolen
Q10

How did Lewis find the other kids on the Naughty List?

Lewis, the tech-savvy friend, used his computer algorithm to scan and identify other kids on Santa's Naughty List beyond just Andy and Dulce. His search narrowed the candidates to local children they knew, making the heist team feasible.

Foreshadowing: Lewis's technical skills are established early, setting up his crucial role in assembling the Naughty Nine.

  • lewis algorithm
  • find naughty kids
  • tech savvy

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Naughty Nine, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical holiday mischief movies like The Naughty Nine

Mischievous adventures and lighthearted capers that celebrate the magic and meaning of the season. If you enjoyed the playful holiday heist of The Naughty Nine, this thread gathers similar movies with a feel-good spirit. Find other family-friendly films featuring mischievous plans, festive adventures, and heartwarming lessons about the season.

  • mischievous
  • whimsical
  • playful
  • heartwarming
  • hopeful
  • adventurous
  • Tone: light, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, mission-oriented
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a group, often kids or teens, who devise an ambitious, whimsical plan set against a holiday backdrop. The plot is driven by their mission, leading to comedic chaos and a resolution that reinforces positive values like teamwork and forgiveness, ensuring a happy and uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together by their shared tone of lighthearted mischief, fast-paced adventure pacing, and the strong thematic anchor of a specific holiday. They balance playful antics with a sincere emotional core, making them perfect for family viewing.

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist movie poster

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

2012
Christmas in Wonderland movie poster

Christmas in Wonderland

2007
Unaccompanied Minors movie poster

Unaccompanied Minors

2006
Home Sweet Home Alone movie poster

Home Sweet Home Alone

2021
To Grandmother’s House We Go movie poster

To Grandmother’s House We Go

1992
’Twas the Night movie poster

’Twas the Night

2001
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday movie poster

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

2023
The Perfect Holiday movie poster

The Perfect Holiday

2007

Underdog team-up caper movies similar to The Naughty Nine

A group of underestimated outsiders bands together to pull off an unlikely, elaborate plan. Fans of The Naughty Nine will enjoy this collection of underdog team-up movies. Discover films where a group of unlikely heroes comes together for a clever mission, blending fast-paced adventure with themes of friendship and proving oneself.

  • teamwork
  • clever
  • underdog
  • adventurous
  • comedic
  • friendship
  • Tone: light, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, heist-style
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on recruitment and team-building, where each member brings a unique skill to a complex, often improbable plan. The journey involves overcoming obstacles through teamwork and ingenuity, leading to a success that affirms their collective worth and strengthens their bonds.

Why they belong together: These films share a core structure of team assembly and mission execution, unified by a tone that is more playful than gritty. The emphasis is on the fun of the caper itself and the character dynamics, rather than high stakes or serious consequences.

Underdog movie poster

Underdog

2007
So Undercover movie poster

So Undercover

2012
Mystery Team movie poster

Mystery Team

2009
Odd Squad: The Movie movie poster

Odd Squad: The Movie

2016
Spy School movie poster

Spy School

2008
Coin Heist movie poster

Coin Heist

2017
Detective School Dropouts movie poster

Detective School Dropouts

1986
Top Cat Begins movie poster

Top Cat Begins

2015

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Every angle

The Naughty Nine (2023) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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