The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

Year: 2010

Language: Russian

Director: Andrei Konchalovsky

ActionFantasyFamily

During a seemingly ordinary Christmas in Vienna, young Mary’s life takes a surprising turn with the arrival of her unusual Uncle Albert and a special nutcracker. On Christmas Eve, the nutcracker magically comes to life and transports Mary to an enchanting world filled with delightful sugarplums, graceful fairies, and animated toys. She embarks on a thrilling and fantastical adventure in a realm where wonder and magic are everywhere.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Nutcracker 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!

Timeline – The Nutcracker (2010)

Trace every key event in The Nutcracker (2010) 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

Mary's Family Christmas Plans

In Vienna during the 1920s Christmas season, young Mary eagerly anticipates a family gathering. However, her excitement turns to disappointment when her parents decide to attend a party instead, leaving her feeling abandoned on a night meant for family togetherness.

1920s Christmas season Vienna
2

Uncle Albert's Arrival

Just as Mary's disappointment is overwhelming, Uncle Albert arrives with thoughtful gifts for both Mary and her brother Max. He presents Mary with a beautiful dollhouse and Max with a delightful nutcracker doll named NC, bringing a glimmer of joy to the evening.

Evening Mary's home
3

Transformation of NC

Mary's enchantment grows when she discovers that NC unexpectedly transforms into a human before her eyes. This miraculous event ignites the beginning of their magical adventure together.

Evening Mary's home
4

Entering the Fantastical Realm

Mary and NC descend into a fantastical realm filled with whimsical characters and miniaturized furniture. Here, they meet intriguing personalities such as Gielgud the chimpanzee, Tinker the opera singer, and Sticks the drummer boy, each adding wonder to their journey.

Fantastical realm
5

The Snow Fairy's Revelation

Climbing a towering Christmas tree, Mary meets the Snow Fairy, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother. The Snow Fairy shares that NC is actually a prince, cursed by the sinister Rat King and his mother, the Rat Queen, adding urgency to their quest.

Christmas tree in the fantastical realm
6

The Quest Begins

Determined to reclaim NC's kingdom, Mary, NC, and their newfound friends embark on an adventurous quest. They learn that the Rat King has enslaved the prince's realm, forcing the inhabitants into despair as they labor in factories destroying toys.

Prince's realm
7

The Rat King's Defense

As they plot to dismantle the factories, the Rat King is alerted to their plans by two spies. The Rat Queen quickly intervenes, turning NC back into a nutcracker and unleashing mechanical Rat Dogs to bring chaos to their mission.

Rat King's domain
8

Awakening in Her Own Bedroom

Mary suddenly awakens in her own bed, filled with the memories of her intense adventures. She rushes downstairs to share her experiences with her parents, but they dismiss her tales as mere imagination, leaving her feeling unheard.

Mary's home
9

Reunion with NC

Under the moonlight, NC is reanimated in Mary's world, revealing his ambition to form an army against the Rat King. Her brother Max joins them, showing the strength of family ties as they prepare to fight for freedom.

Night Mary's home
10

Max's Abduction

The Rat King makes a cunning move by capturing NC right before Mary and Max’s eyes. Their plan becomes urgent as they realize the Rat King has been secretly capturing toys and imprisoning them in the city.

Mary's home
11

Discovery of the Hidden Portal

With determination, Mary finds the clever Gielgud, who has managed to evade capture. Together, they discover a hidden portal that transports them directly to the heart of the city, enabling their quest to rescue NC and their imprisoned friends.

City's heart
12

Infiltration of the Factory

Mary and Gielgud disguise themselves as rats and sneak into a factory, where they hope to rescue NC, Tinker, Sticks, and other captured toys. Their audacious mission takes them to the epicenter of the Rat King's operations, where they devise a clever plan.

Factory
13

Max's Desperate Plea

In the factory, they find Max facing dire consequences alongside other toys. He bravely asks the Rat King for his release but unwittingly ends up trapped within the ominous castle, showing the escalating stakes of their adventure.

Rat King's castle
14

The Curse is Broken

Mary confesses her love for NC in a moment of bravery, triggering the breaking of his curse. Once revived, NC transforms into a living boy, inspiring the factory workers to rise up against the tyranny of the rats.

Factory
15

A New Beginning

With the Rat King and Queen retreating, NC is crowned king, restoring joy and freedom to his realm. As Mary returns to her world, she receives an unexpected apology from her parents and meets a new boy who resembles NC, hinting at fresh adventures ahead.

Vienna

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 16:36

Unlock the Full Story of The Nutcracker

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

The Nutcracker Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Nutcracker, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Nutcracker Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Nutcracker

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Nutcracker

More About The Nutcracker

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Nutcracker: 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 Nutcracker

Similar Movies to The Nutcracker

Discover movies like The Nutcracker that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.