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The Thief of Bagdad (1940) movie poster

Timeline

The Thief of Bagdad (1940) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1940 · 107 mins · English
JustWatch #8,455 278
Directed by
Michael Powell, Ludwig Berger
Starring
Sabu, Mary Morris, Leslie Phillips, Robert Greig, Glynis Johns, Rex Ingram

After the treacherous vizier Jaffar blinds Prince Ahmad and exiles him from Baghdad, the prince teams up with the witty street thief Abu. Together they embark on a daring quest through enchanted realms to reclaim Ahmad’s throne and win the love of the radiant Princess, confronting magic and danger at every turn.

Romance Adventure Fantasy 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 Thief of Bagdad
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

Where can you watch The Thief of Bagdad? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Mometu and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Thief of Bagdad Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Thief of Bagdad (1940) 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. Opening frame: Basra storyteller reveals Ahmad

    In Basra, a blind beggar begins telling the story in a flashback, hinting at a larger legend. He gradually reveals that he is actually Ahmad, the young, naive king of Bagdad. The frame sets a fairy-tale tone for the events to come.

    When
    present frame
    Where
    Basra

  2. Ahmad mistaken for a commoner; Jaffar seizes power

    Seeking to understand his own people, Ahmad is lured into the city in disguise by Jaffar. The Vizier has him arrested and uses the opportunity to usurp the throne. Ahmad's dream of ruling fades as his authority is stolen by treachery.

    When
    early
    Where
    Bagdad

  3. Imprisoned meeting: Ahmad befriends Abu

    In prison, Ahmad meets Abu, a quick-witted young thief. Abu arranges their escape and the two men bond over their shared predicament. The escape marks the first step in their journey to reclaim Ahmad's crown.

    When
    early
    Where
    Bagdad prison

  4. Escape to Basra; love blossoms

    Ahmad and Abu flee to Basra, where Ahmad meets the Princess and immediately falls in love. The city becomes a backdrop for new loyalties and dangerous ambitions. Their bond deepens as they navigate a world ruled by Jaffar.

    When
    shortly after escape
    Where
    Basra

  5. Jaffar's bargain: Basra's toy horse for a bride

    Jaffar travels to Basra and bribes the toy-obsessed Sultan with a magical flying horse in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. The bargain intensifies the political and romantic pressure surrounding Ahmad and the Princess. Basra becomes a focal point for magical intrigue.

    When
    during Basra plots
    Where
    Basra

  6. The curse deepens: blinding and transformation

    The Princess runs away with Ahmad, but Jaffar uses magic to blind Ahmad and to turn Abu into a dog. The Princess is captured and sold at the slave market, her fate entwined with Jaffar's sinister ploys. The fairy-tale romance descends into peril.

    When
    shortly after Basra plots
    Where
    Basra

  7. Princess falls into sleep; awakening trick

    At the palace, the Princess falls into a deep sleep and cannot be awakened. Halima, Jaffar's minion, tricks Ahmad into awakening the Princess, sealing his predicament. Ahmad and the transformed Abu are driven to the docks as his tale reaches its frame-breaking end.

    When
    after blinding
    Where
    Basra palace and docks

  8. Stormy voyage and shipwreck

    The Princess boards Jaffar's ship, seeking a cure that can only come from embracing the sorcerer. The act lifts the spells, and Ahmad and Abu pursue the ship, but a raging storm wrecks their vessels. They survive, washing up far from their former home.

    When
    after awakening
    Where
    Jaffar's ship; sea

  9. The Silver Maiden and return to Basra

    Back in Basra, Jaffar unveils a life-sized automaton, The Silver Maiden, at the Sultan's court. The automaton captivates the palace with a treacherous turn, stabbing the Sultan, and Jaffar returns to Bagdad with the Princess. The city braces for a new, dangerous power.

    When
    after shipwreck
    Where
    Basra; Sultan's palace

  10. Genie release and reunion plan

    Abu awakens a long-imprisoned genie and, after bargaining, uses three wishes to aid Ahmad and reclaim his friend. The first wish is wasted, but the Genie helps fetch the All-Seeing Eye jewel, enabling Abu to locate Ahmad and reunite him with the Princess. The bond between friends becomes pivotal to the quest.

    When
    after shipwreck
    Where
    Desert beach; magical realm

  11. Ahmad's sight and revelation of Jaffar's spell

    With the All-Seeing Eye, Ahmad gains sight and sees Jaffar manipulating the Princess to forget her true love. Tensions rise between Ahmad and Abu as plans for reclaiming the throne collide. Abu inadvertently uses his third wish to send Ahmad back to Bagdad.

    When
    after gaining eye
    Where
    At sea and Bagdad

  12. Return to Bagdad; imprisonment and jewel's destruction

    Ahmad is reunited with the Princess in Bagdad but is soon imprisoned by Jaffar. Abu witnesses the peril and, in a fit of anger, destroys the jewel, freeing the Old King of the Land of Legend. The revelation shifts the balance of power and moral order.

    When
    upon return
    Where
    Bagdad

  13. Abu's carpet theft and prophecy fulfilled

    Abu steals the king's magic carpet and flies back to Bagdad, his appearance fulfilling an ancient prophecy. The city rises in revolt against Jaffar as the hero-turned-thief moves to end the sorcerer's tyranny. Ahmad's restoration to power hinges on Abu's daring gambit.

    When
    after jewel destroyed
    Where
    Bagdad

  14. Final duel and new beginnings

    Abu kills Jaffar with the crossbow he earns, and Ahmad is restored to the throne. The revolt settles, and Abu realizes he must decide between vengeful power and adventure. He flies off on the carpet, seeking fun, as Basra's legend finally comes to rest.

    When
    aftermath
    Where
    Bagdad

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:01

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Timeline questions answered

The Thief of Bagdad Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Thief of Bagdad (1940): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Jaffar trick Ahmad into going to the city in disguise?

Jaffar lures Ahmad into the city in disguise because he wants to seize power for himself. Knowing the young king is naive and curious about his people, Jaffar uses this as an opportunity to have Ahmad arrested, allowing the Grand Vizier to usurp the throne and rule Bagdad himself.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Ahmad's curiosity about his subjects early on, making him vulnerable to Jaffar's manipulation.

  • jaffar
  • ahmad
  • usurpation
  • throne
  • disguise
  • baghdad
Q2

How does Ahmad meet Abu in prison?

After being arrested and imprisoned by Jaffar's soldiers, Ahmad is locked up in the dungeon where he encounters Abu, a young street thief. Abu is already in prison for his crimes, and he devises a plan to escape that includes Ahmad, beginning their partnership.

Foreshadowing: The escape from prison marks the first step in their quest to reclaim Ahmad's throne.

  • ahmad
  • abu
  • prison
  • escape
  • baghdad
Q3

Why does Jaffar offer the flying horse to the Sultan of Basra?

Jaffar offers the magical flying horse to the Sultan in exchange for the Princess's hand in marriage. The Sultan is obsessed with toys, making him vulnerable to Jaffar's bribery. This scheme allows Jaffar to pursue the Princess while also removing her from Ahmad's reach.

Foreshadowing: The flying horse represents Jaffar's willingness to use dark magic to get what he wants.

  • jaffar
  • flying horse
  • sultan
  • basra
  • princess
  • marriage
Q4

Why does Jaffar blind Ahmad and turn Abu into a dog?

Jaffar uses his sorcery to blind Ahmad and transform Abu into a dog as punishment for their interference and to break the Princess's resolve. With Ahmad incapacitated and Abu helpless, Jaffar hopes to force the Princess to submit to his demands.

Foreshadowing: Jaffar's cruelty intensifies as his schemes face more obstacles.

  • jaffar
  • blindness
  • abu
  • dog
  • transformation
  • magic
Q5

Why does the Princess fall into a deep sleep at the palace?

The Princess falls into a deep, unbreakable sleep as part of Jaffar's magical scheme. This trance makes her vulnerable and prevents her from resisting his plans. Halima, Jaffar's minion, later tricks Ahmad into awakening her, which seals his fate and leads to his dismissal.

Foreshadowing: The enchanted sleep parallels other magical curses in the film that require specific actions to break.

  • princess
  • sleep
  • magic
  • halima
  • jaffar
  • palace
Q6

How does the Princess break the spells on Ahmad and Abu?

The Princess breaks the spells by submitting to Jaffar's demands - she allows the sorcerer to embrace her. This act of sacrifice lifts the blindness from Ahmad and reverses Abu's transformation from a dog back to human form.

Foreshadowing: The Princess's love for Ahmad drives her to make this difficult choice.

  • princess
  • spells
  • sacrifice
  • jaffar
  • embrace
  • cure
Q7

Why does Abu release the Djinn from the bottle on the beach?

After washing ashore alone following the shipwreck, Abu finds a bottle on the beach and opens it out of curiosity. This releases the Djinn, an enormous magical being who has been imprisoned for centuries and is initially so bitter that he intends to kill Abu.

Foreshadowing: The Djinn's imprisonment sets up the crucial magic assistance Abu will need later.

  • abu
  • djinn
  • bottle
  • beach
  • magic
  • wishes
Q8

What is the All-Seeing Eye jewel used for?

The All-Seeing Eye is a magical jewel that allows whoever possesses it to see anything happening anywhere in the world. Abu uses it to locate Ahmad after they become separated, finding him in Bagdad and reuniting with him and the Princess.

Foreshadowing: The jewel was obtained with the Djinn's help, making it a crucial plot device.

  • all-seeing eye
  • jewel
  • magic
  • sight
  • abu
  • ahmad
Q9

Why does Ahmad quarrel with Abu after seeing through the jewel?

Using the All-Seeing Eye, Ahmad sees Jaffar using magic to make the Princess forget her true love for him. Believing the Princess has betrayed him, Ahmad becomes despondent and quarrels with Abu. The argument leads to Abu accidentally using his third wish to send Ahmad back to Bagdad.

Foreshadowing: The jewel's power reveals Jaffar's manipulations but also creates misunderstanding.

  • ahmad
  • abu
  • quarrel
  • jealousy
  • jewel
  • forget
  • jaffar
Q10

How does Abu destroy the jewel and free the Old King?

After witnessing Ahmad and the Princess being imprisoned and condemned to death by Jaffar, Abu flies into a rage and smashes the All-Seeing Eye. This act of anger unknowingly fulfills an ancient prophecy and frees the Old King of the Land of Legend from his magical imprisonment within the jewel.

Foreshadowing: The prophecy about freeing the Old King was foretold but required an act of pure emotion to trigger.

  • abu
  • jewel
  • destroy
  • old king
  • prophecy
  • legend
  • free
Q11

Why does Abu steal the magic carpet and fly to Bagdad?

As a reward for freeing him, the Old King gives Abu a magic crossbow. Abu then steals the king's magic carpet and flies to Bagdad, where his arrival fulfills an ancient prophecy that predicts a hero will come to free the city from Jaffar's tyranny.

Foreshadowing: The prophecy was introduced earlier, giving significance to Abu's arrival.

  • abu
  • magic carpet
  • flight
  • baghdad
  • prophecy
  • jaffar
Q12

Why does Abu fly away at the end instead of staying in Bagdad?

After Jaffar is killed and Ahmad is restored to the throne, Ahmad plans to educate Abu and make him his vizier. Abu, being a free-spirited thief who values adventure over responsibility, is alarmed by this prospect. He escapes on the magic carpet to seek fun and adventure rather than settle down in a royal court.

Foreshadowing: Abu's mischievous, freedom-loving personality is established throughout the film.

  • abu
  • carpet
  • fly
  • adventure
  • baghdad
  • vizier
  • freedom

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Thief of Bagdad, by Mood & Story

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

Whimsical Fairy-Tale Quests like The Thief of Bagdad

Uplifting adventures through magical worlds to defeat evil and restore order. If you loved the magical journey in The Thief of Bagdad, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection gathers similar fantasy adventure stories with a whimsical tone, straightforward good-versus-evil narratives, and enchanting quests. Find more movies with genies, prophecies, daring heroes, and magical realms where true love and bravery always triumph.

  • magical
  • adventurous
  • hopeful
  • romantic
  • swashbuckling
  • fantastical
  • Tone: whimsical, hopeful, romantic
  • Pacing: steady adventure
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a clear heroic quest. A noble protagonist, often aided by a loyal and witty companion, must overcome a magical villain to reclaim a throne, rescue a loved one, or fulfill a prophecy. The journey takes them through fantastical realms, and they triumph through a combination of courage, cleverness, and a touch of enchanted luck.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared fairy-tale DNA. They possess a specific, optimistic tone where magic is real and good is destined to win. The pacing is steady, moving from one wondrous set-piece to the next, and the emotional weight remains light, ensuring a fun, swashbuckling experience free from true despair.

The Thief of Bagdad movie poster

The Thief of Bagdad

1940
Alice in Wonderland movie poster

Alice in Wonderland

2010
Upon the Magic Roads movie poster

Upon the Magic Roads

2021
Charming movie poster

Charming

2018
Ella Enchanted movie poster

Ella Enchanted

2004
The Thief of Baghdad movie poster

The Thief of Baghdad

1978
The Princess and the Goblin movie poster

The Princess and the Goblin

1991
The Seventh Dwarf movie poster

The Seventh Dwarf

2015

Swashbuckling Adventure Duos like in The Thief of Bagdad

Mismatched partners embark on daring, high-stakes journeys in exotic lands. Fans of the partnership between Prince Ahmad and Abu in The Thief of Bagdad will love these films. Discover more movies featuring classic adventure duos where a straight-laced hero teams up with a witty rogue. These stories focus on camaraderie, thrilling action, and epic journeys in fantastical or historical settings.

  • adventurous
  • thrilling
  • playful
  • heroic
  • loyalty
  • quest
  • Tone: adventurous, playful, thrilling
  • Pacing: steady, journey-based
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around the forced or fated partnership of two opposites. The initial friction between the disciplined hero and the chaotic-but-clever thief gives way to mutual respect and loyalty. Their combined skills—honor and strength from one, cunning and agility from the other—are essential to overcoming the central conflict, which often involves a quest for redemption or justice.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on the core character dynamic. The central relationship drives the story, providing both conflict and comedy. They share a medium intensity with thrilling action, a steady pace focused on the journey, and a light emotional weight that emphasizes the fun of the partnership and the adventure itself.

The Thief of Bagdad movie poster

The Thief of Bagdad

1940
Sinbad the Sailor movie poster

Sinbad the Sailor

1947
The Thief of Baghdad movie poster

The Thief of Baghdad

1978
A Challenge for Robin Hood movie poster

A Challenge for Robin Hood

1967
George and the Dragon movie poster

George and the Dragon

2004
Almost Heroes movie poster

Almost Heroes

1998
The Princess Bride movie poster

The Princess Bride

1987
Pardners movie poster

Pardners

1956

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Every angle

The Thief of Bagdad (1940) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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