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The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) movie poster

Timeline

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2006 · 117 min · English
Directed by
Gabriele Muccino
Starring
Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith
Budget
$55M

Based on a true story, this biographical drama follows Chris Gardner, a man struggling with poverty and homelessness while raising his young son. Determined to build a better future for them, he takes on an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm, facing constant setbacks and uncertainty. The film portrays his unwavering resilience and the emotional challenges he overcomes while battling homelessness and striving for a stable career.

Biography Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Where can you watch The Pursuit of Happyness? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Tubi TV, YouTube Free and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Pursuit of Happyness Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) 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. Investment in Bone-Density Scanners

    In 1981, Chris Gardner, a salesman in San Francisco, takes a substantial risk by investing his entire life savings into portable bone-density scanners. He markets them as a significant advancement over traditional X-rays, hopeful to secure a profitable venture despite the looming financial strain.

    When
    1981
    Where
    San Francisco

  2. Marriage Strains

    As Chris immerses himself in his new business endeavor, he faces mounting financial pressures that strain his marriage to Linda. While she works tirelessly as a hotel maid, their struggles to support their young son, Christopher Jr., become increasingly evident amidst their financial turmoil.

    Where
    San Francisco

  3. Multiple Rejections

    Chris's dedication to his new venture sees him facing numerous rejections from medical professionals who remain skeptical of his bone-density scanners. This period of hardship highlights his resilience and determination to change his family's fate despite the obstacles in his path.

  4. Meeting Jay Twistle

    A pivotal moment occurs when Chris meets Jay Twistle, a lead manager at Dean Witter Reynolds. Captivated by Chris's sharp wit demonstrated during a taxi ride where he solves a Rubik's Cube, Jay offers Chris an opportunity to interview for an internship, marking a turning point in his journey.

    Where
    Taxi

  5. Night in Jail

    On the eve of his crucial interview for the internship, Chris faces the dire consequences of his financial struggles. After a confrontation with the police over unpaid parking tickets, he spends the night in jail, which adds to the challenges he must overcome to succeed.

    Where
    San Francisco

  6. Interview Success

    Despite a messy appearance and exhaustion, Chris impresses the interviewers at Dean Witter during the internship interview. His charisma and determination win him one of only 20 positions in the highly competitive unpaid internship program, giving him a chance to turn his life around.

    Where
    Dean Witter Reynolds

  7. Linda's Departure

    Faced with their challenging circumstances, Linda receives an opportunity to leave San Francisco for a fresh start in New York. With a heavy heart, she decides to leave Chris and Christopher Jr. behind, putting additional pressure on Chris as he now bears sole responsibility for their son.

    Where
    San Francisco

  8. IRS Seizes Funds

    As Chris struggles to make ends meet, the IRS seizing funds from his bank account for unpaid taxes marks a devastating blow to his financial situation. This event forces him to confront the harsh reality of his circumstances as he fights to support himself and his son.

  9. Rock Bottom

    With just $21.33 left to his name, Chris finds himself sharing cramped spaces with Christopher at a BART station restroom or in homeless shelters. This desperate time leads him to sell his own blood in a bid for money, yet he perseveres through the adversity.

    Where
    BART Station

  10. Selling the Scanner

    After enduring numerous challenges, Chris finally manages to sell the long-lost bone scanner he once invested in. Despite its damaged state, he repairs it before selling it to a physician, successfully restoring some of his professional credibility along the way.

  11. Networking at 49ers Game

    Chris's resourcefulness shines when a high-profile pension fund manager, Walter Ribbon, takes him and Christopher to a San Francisco 49ers game. This outing provides Chris an opportunity to network with potential clients and make significant connections within the industry.

    Where
    San Francisco

  12. Meeting with Partners

    As the internship comes to a close, Chris receives an invitation to meet with the partners at Dean Witter. During this meeting, he impresses Mr. Frohm with his sharp appearance and strong reasoning for dressing well, solidifying his place within the firm.

    Where
    Dean Witter Reynolds

  13. Job Offer

    In an emotional turn of events, Chris learns he has secured a full-time position after completing his internship. Overcome with joy, he rushes to share his success with Christopher Jr. at daycare, marking a pivotal moment in their lives.

    Where
    San Francisco

  14. Establishing Financial Success

    The film closes with the revelation that in 1987, Chris Gardner founded his own successful brokerage firm, showcasing the fruits of his labor. Later, in 2006, he achieves a milestone by selling a minority stake in his company for multi-million dollars, realizing his dreams.

  15. Final Reunion

    In a touching epilogue, as Chris walks with Christopher Jr. through the streets celebrating their bond, they catch a glimpse of the real-life Chris Gardner. This moment symbolizes the triumph of spirit and determination over adversity, culminating their journey.

    Where
    San Francisco

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 18:14

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Timeline questions answered

The Pursuit of Happyness Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Chris invest his entire life savings into bone-density scanners?

Chris believed the portable bone-density scanners represented a significant advancement over traditional X-rays and saw commercial potential. He was a salesman looking for a profitable venture that could provide financial security for his family, though this investment ultimately put immense strain on his finances.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Chris constantly pushing medical professionals to buy his scanners, highlighting his belief in the product.

  • bone-density scanners
  • investment
  • financial risk
  • chris gardner
  • salesman
Q2

How did Chris get the internship at Dean Witter?

Chris met Jay Twistle, a lead manager at Dean Witter Reynolds, in a taxi. He impressed Jay by solving a Rubik's Cube quickly during the ride. Although Chris couldn't pay the fare and had to flee, leaving his scanner behind, this encounter secured him an interview for the unpaid internship.

Foreshadowing: The taxi meeting establishes Chris's ability to think quickly under pressure, a trait that later helps him in the interview.

  • jay twistle
  • internship
  • dean witter
  • rubik's cube
  • stockbroker
Q3

Why was Chris arrested before his internship interview?

Chris was arrested over unpaid parking tickets. He had painted his apartment to avoid eviction, but police arrived at his door, leading to his arrest. He spent the night in jail and had very little time to prepare for the interview the next morning.

Foreshadowing: The earlier financial struggles and mounting debts foreshadow this turning point.

  • arrest
  • parking tickets
  • jail
  • interview
  • police
Q4

Why did Linda leave Chris and their son?

Linda received an opportunity to move to New York for a fresh start with her sister's boyfriend. Facing the family's relentless financial struggles, she decided to leave, leaving Chris with sole responsibility for their young son Christopher Jr.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show the mounting pressure on their marriage due to financial strain.

  • linda
  • departure
  • new york
  • chris jr
  • family
Q5

How did Chris end up homeless?

After the IRS seized funds from Chris's bank account for unpaid taxes, his financial situation became desperate. With only $21.33 left, he could no longer afford housing and was forced to share cramped spaces with Christopher at a BART station restroom or seek refuge in homeless shelters.

Foreshadowing: The IRS seizure follows the earlier pattern of mounting financial pressures building toward crisis.

  • homeless
  • irs
  • bart station
  • poverty
  • financial crisis
Q6

How did Chris manage to sell the damaged bone scanner?

Chris repaired the long-lost bone scanner, which had been damaged when he fled the taxi. He then sold it to a physician, successfully restoring some of his professional credibility and generating much-needed income.

Foreshadowing: The scanner was left behind during the taxi confrontation, and its return becomes a turning point.

  • bone scanner
  • repair
  • sale
  • physician
  • credibility
Q7

How did Chris get invited to the 49ers game?

Walter Ribbon, a high-profile pension fund manager who was a prospect for Chris, took both Chris and Christopher to a San Francisco 49ers game. This outing gave Chris the opportunity to network with potential clients among Mr. Ribbon's friends.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Chris focusing on high-value clients rather than traditional sales methods.

  • 49ers game
  • walter ribbon
  • networking
  • football
  • clients
Q8

Why did Chris accept an unpaid internship when he was already homeless?

The internship at Dean Witter Reynolds was unpaid and highly competitive, with only 20 spots available. Chris accepted it because it offered a potential pathway to a lucrative career as a stockbroker, which he believed could lift his family out of poverty. Despite his desperate financial situation, he saw it as his best chance at long-term success.

Foreshadowing: The earlier meeting with Jay Twistle establishes this opportunity as a rare breakthrough.

  • unpaid internship
  • stockbroker
  • dean witter
  • career
  • opportunity
Q9

How did Chris go from being homeless to getting a full-time job?

Chris impressed the partners at Dean Witter during his internship by maintaining professionalism despite his circumstances. During the final meeting, Mr. Frohm noticed Chris's sharp attire, and Chris explained his reasoning for dressing well despite his poverty. This impressed the firm enough to offer him a full-time position.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the internship, Chris consistently demonstrates professionalism and resilience.

  • full-time job
  • dean witter
  • mr frohm
  • internship
  • success
Q10

What happened to the real Chris Gardner after the movie?

The epilogue reveals that Chris Gardner founded his own successful brokerage firm in 1987. In 2006, he secured a multi-million-dollar deal by selling a minority stake in his company, achieving the financial success he had worked toward throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: The movie's hopeful tone and Chris's determination set up this triumphant conclusion.

  • chris gardner
  • 1987
  • 2006
  • brokerage firm
  • success

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Pursuit of Happyness, by Mood & Story

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

Inspiring stories of triumph like The Pursuit of Happyness

Against all odds, the unwavering will to survive and thrive. If you were moved by the resilience in The Pursuit of Happyness, you'll find similar inspiration here. This collection brings together movies about characters who face extreme hardship—financial ruin, personal loss, or systemic barriers—but never give up, leading to a hopeful and happy conclusion.

  • inspiring
  • determined
  • resilient
  • emotional
  • gritty
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, determined
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear, goal-oriented path where the protagonist is repeatedly tested by external forces. The emotional core is the contrast between the crushing weight of their circumstances and the small, incremental victories that build towards a final, well-earned success.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on resilience as the central theme. They balance a heavy emotional weight with an ultimately hopeful tone, creating a cathartic and uplifting viewing experience that celebrates determination over despair.

The Pursuit of Happyness movie poster

The Pursuit of Happyness

2006
The Mountain Within Me movie poster

The Mountain Within Me

2024
Stronger movie poster

Stronger

2017
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind movie poster

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

2019
Breakthrough movie poster

Breakthrough

2019
Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home movie poster

Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home

2012
One Life movie poster

One Life

2024
Hope movie poster

Hope

2013

Movies about protective fathers like in The Pursuit of Happyness

The desperate, loving struggle to provide a future for one's child. For viewers who appreciated the powerful father-son dynamic in The Pursuit of Happyness, this thread highlights similar films. Discover stories where a parent's love is the driving force against adversity, focusing on the emotional weight of providing a safe and hopeful future for a child.

  • emotional
  • anxious
  • determined
  • heartwarming
  • gritty
  • inspiring
  • Tone: hopeful, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is often a race against time and collapsing systems, where the parent's primary conflict is external (society, poverty, danger) but the motivation is entirely internal (love for their child). The journey is fraught with anxiety and moments of near-despair, but is ultimately defined by the parent's unwavering commitment.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific emotional core: the intersection of heavy themes like financial struggle or danger with the powerful, redeeming force of parental love. The pacing is steady, building tension around the threat to the child's well-being, while the tone remains hopeful due to the parent's fierce dedication.

Ode to My Father movie poster

Ode to My Father

2015
Padre de Familia movie poster

Padre de Familia

2016
All About My Father movie poster

All About My Father

2002
Courageous movie poster

Courageous

2011
The Father Who Moves Mountains movie poster

The Father Who Moves Mountains

2021
Daddy’s Little Girl movie poster

Daddy’s Little Girl

2014
My Father and The Man In Black movie poster

My Father and The Man In Black

2013
My Father and My Son movie poster

My Father and My Son

2005

Every angle

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Pursuit of Happyness 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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