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The Secret Life of Pets (2016) movie poster

Timeline

The Secret Life of Pets (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 87 min · English
JustWatch #20,614 2
Directed by
Yarrow Cheney, Chris Renaud
Starring
Lake Bell, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Eric Stonestreet, Louis C.K.
Budget
$75M

When a pampered terrier named Max is abandoned by his owner, his life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Duke, a large and boisterous stray. Their rivalry escalates until they are forced to team up after encountering Snowball, a radical bunny leading a group of abandoned pets on a mission to punish owners and their beloved companions. Facing a common enemy, Max and Duke must learn to cooperate to protect their fellow pets and the humans they depend on.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Secret Life of Pets
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Where can you watch The Secret Life of Pets? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hulu, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Secret Life of Pets Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Secret Life of Pets (2016) 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. Max's Happy Life

    Max, a Jack Russell Terrier, enjoys a blissful life in a cozy New York City apartment with his devoted owner, Katie. He relishes in socializing with other pets in the building, such as Chloe the cat and Mel the pug.

    Where
    New York City
  2. The Arrival of Duke

    Katie brings home a Newfoundland dog named Duke, which disrupts the harmony of Max's life. Feeling jealous of the new arrival, Max's affection for Katie is put to the test as he grapples with feelings of rivalry.

    Where
    Max's apartment
  3. The Alley Abandonment

    In an attempt to rid himself of Max, Duke tries to abandon him in an alley. However, their plan takes a turn when they are attacked by a gang of aggressive cats, led by the Sphynx cat Ozone.

    Where
    Alley
  4. Capture by Animal Control

    During the chaos from the cat attack, Duke and Max lose their collars and become vulnerable to capture by Animal Control. Duke's fear of returning to the pound heightens the tension between the two dogs.

    Where
    New York City
  5. Meeting Snowball

    Max and Duke encounter Snowball, a charismatic white rabbit and leader of the Flushed Pets, a gang of discarded animals. To gain acceptance, they pretend to share disdain for humans, but their lies soon unravel.

    Where
    Sewers
  6. The Ferry Escape

    After being exposed, Max and Duke hilariously escape from Snowball's gang by boarding a ferry to Brooklyn. They manage to fend off a viper that was supposed to test their loyalty while evading capture.

    Where
    Ferry
  7. Gidget's Mission

    Gidget, a lovestruck Pomeranian, realizes Max is missing and embarks on a mission to find him. She enlists the help of Tiberius, a red-tailed hawk, to track down Ozone in search of clues about Max's whereabouts.

    Where
    New York City
  8. Rallying the Pets

    Gidget successfully rallies Max's friends, including Mel, Buddy, and Chloe, along with Norman the guinea pig, to assist her in the search. They encounter Pops, an elderly Basset Hound, who offers his support.

    Where
    New York City
  9. Duke's Sad Backstory

    Duke opens up to Max about his painful past, detailing how he was once cherished by his owner, Fred, before being lost and abandoned at Animal Control. This heart-wrenching revelation deepens their bond.

    Where
    Nearby house
  10. Confrontation with Reginald

    In a desperate bid to reconnect with Fred, Max and Duke visit his home. They are met by the resident cat, Reginald, who heartbreakingly informs them of Fred's passing, leading Duke to lash out in grief.

    Where
    Fred's home
  11. Duke's Capture

    Amidst the turmoil, Duke bravely intervenes to help Max escape but ends up getting captured by Animal Control instead. This twist propels Max to take action and rescue his friend despite the danger.

    Where
    New York City
  12. The Rescue Mission

    Max confronts Snowball, leading to an unpredictable showdown as both discover they must work together to escape their predicament. The unlikely alliance marks the beginning of a thrilling rescue mission.

    Where
    Brooklyn
  13. The Bus Chase

    In a wild turn of events, the group commandeers a bus to crash into the Animal Control van on the Brooklyn Bridge. Just as hope seems lost, Gidget and her team arrive to divert danger and facilitate a daring escape.

    Where
    Brooklyn Bridge
  14. Snowball's Sacrifice

    Snowball bravely jumps into the river to help Duke escape by delivering the keys to his cage. His courageous act solidifies the newfound camaraderie between the former foes.

    Where
    East River
  15. A Heartwarming Reunion

    The group returns to their apartment, where Snowball is eventually adopted by a little girl named Molly. With their adventures concluded, Max and Duke joyfully reunite with Katie, solidifying their bond as best friends.

    Where
    Max's apartment

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:31

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Timeline questions answered

The Secret Life of Pets Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Secret Life of Pets (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Duke abandoned at Animal Control?

Duke was abandoned at Animal Control after getting lost while chasing a butterfly. His original owner, Fred, adopted Duke as a puppy and cherished him, but when Duke got lost, Fred never returned to claim him from the shelter. Duke's fear of the pound stems from this traumatic abandonment.

  • duke
  • abandonment
  • animal control
  • fred
  • pound
Q2

Why do Max and Duke pretend to hate humans?

Max and Duke pretend to hate humans to gain acceptance into Snowball's gang, the Flushed Pets, a group of discarded animals who harbor bitter resentment toward humans for abandoning them. They falsely claim to have 'killed' their owners to prove their loyalty, but their deception is quickly exposed when Snowball realizes they're domesticated.

  • snowball
  • flushed pets
  • humans
  • deception
  • sewers
Q3

Why does Snowball become aggressive toward Max and Duke?

Snowball turns aggressive when he discovers Max and Duke lied about killing their owners. As the leader of the Flushed Pets, Snowball takes betrayal seriously and orders his gang to capture the dogs. His rage intensifies when they escape via the ferry to Brooklyn, vowing to bring them to justice.

  • snowball
  • attack
  • betrayal
  • flushed pets
  • brooklyn ferry
Q4

Why does Duke attack the new homeowners at Fred's house?

Duke attacks the homeowners after learning that his beloved owner Fred has passed away. When Reginald the cat informs them of Fred's death, Duke becomes overwhelmed with grief and lashes out at the new people living in Fred's home, which triggers Animal Control to intervene.

  • duke
  • fred
  • death
  • attack
  • reginald
Q5

How do Max and Duke escape from Animal Control?

Max and Duke escape by commandeering a bus and crashing it into the Animal Control van on the Brooklyn Bridge. During the chaotic escape, Snowball jumps into the East River to deliver the keys to Duke's cage, enabling them to break free. Gidget and her team also arrive to help facilitate the rescue.

  • animal control
  • bus
  • brooklyn bridge
  • escape
  • snowball
Q6

Why does Gidget go on a mission to find Max?

Gidget searches for Max because she has romantic feelings for him. When she discovers he's missing, she rallies the other pets including Mel, Buddy, Chloe, Norman, and Sweet Pea to help find him, even seeking assistance from Tiberius the hawk and convincing Ozone the Sphynx cat to share information.

  • gidget
  • max
  • search
  • rescue
  • tiberius
Q7

Why does Snowball help rescue Duke at the end?

Snowball helps rescue Duke after they form an unlikely alliance during the confrontation at the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite his previous vendetta, Snowball demonstrates character growth by jumping into the East River to hand over the keys to Duke's cage, proving he can work with former enemies when it matters most.

  • snowball
  • duke
  • rescue
  • river
  • alliance
Q8

What happens to Snowball after the adventure?

After the adventure, Snowball is adopted by a little girl named Molly. Initially defiant about returning to a domesticated life, Snowball eventually succumbs to the joy of having a loving home, abandoning his vendetta against humans and becoming a beloved pet.

  • snowball
  • molly
  • adoption
  • pet
  • home
Q9

Why does Ozone help Gidget find Max?

Ozone helps Gidget after she persuades him by pointing out that Max was also attacked by the same alley cats. Though initially reluctant, the Sphynx cat agrees to share information about the missing dogs, providing crucial clues that enable Gidget and her team to continue their search.

  • ozone
  • gidget
  • max
  • alley cats
  • information
Q10

Why is Duke so afraid of going back to the pound?

Duke is terrified of the pound because he was abandoned there after getting lost chasing a butterfly. His original owner Fred never returned for him, leaving Duke to experience the traumatic feeling of being discarded. This fear drives much of Duke's behavior throughout the film.

  • duke
  • pound
  • fear
  • abandonment
  • fred
Q11

What happens to the viper on the ferry to Brooklyn?

The viper, which was intended to test Max and Duke's loyalty to the Flushed Pets, is unintentionally dispatched during their chaotic escape onto the ferry. While trying to board the vessel, Max and Duke accidentally kill the viper while fending it off, allowing them to escape Snowball's gang.

  • viper
  • ferry
  • brooklyn
  • escape
  • snowball

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Secret Life of Pets, by Mood & Story

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

Urban Animal Adventures like The Secret Life of Pets

The bustling city becomes a wild playground seen through the eyes of its animal inhabitants. If you enjoyed seeing New York City from a pet's perspective in The Secret Life of Pets, you'll love these other movies that explore urban adventures through animal eyes. Find similar animated comedies and family films where the city becomes a wild playground.

  • playful
  • adventurous
  • urban
  • animal perspective
  • chaotic
  • loyal
  • Tone: light, whimsical, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, action-packed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow animal protagonists navigating the hidden wonders and dangers of a human city. The plot typically involves a journey or quest that forces the characters to rely on their instincts and newfound friendships to overcome obstacles and find their way home.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared core premise: an animal-centric view of an urban environment. They blend slapstick comedy with thrilling adventure, creating a specific vibe where the mundane human world is a source of constant wonder and chaos for the animal characters.

Rivalry to Friendship Stories like The Secret Life of Pets

Two clashing characters must join forces on a wild journey to survive. Fans of the frenemy dynamic between Max and Duke in The Secret Life of Pets will enjoy these movies about rivals who become allies. Discover similar fast-paced comedies and adventures where clashing personalities must team up for a common goal.

  • comedic
  • exciting
  • uplifting
  • rivalry
  • teamwork
  • chaotic
  • Tone: light, comical, uplifting
  • Pacing: fast, propulsive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a clear conflict between two protagonists with opposing personalities or goals. A disruptive event forces them into a shared, high-stakes situation, where their survival or success depends on learning to cooperate, leading to a heartfelt friendship by the end.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific character arc and plot structure. The focus is on the humorous and heartfelt development of a relationship from animosity to loyalty, set against a backdrop of a chaotic, action-filled quest that tests their growing bond.

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Movies Like The Secret Life of Pets

Similar movies to The Secret Life of Pets: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Secret Life of Pets (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Secret Life of Pets 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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