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Timeline

The Three Stooges (2012) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2012 · 92 min · English
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Directed by
Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Starring
Jane Lynch, Chris Diamantopoulos, Jennifer Hudson, Will Sasso, Sofía Vergara, Larry David
Budget
$30M

Larry, Curly, and Moe are three endearing but clumsy men who find themselves embroiled in a series of chaotic events at their childhood home. Their antics lead to a surprising murder plot, forcing them to use their signature slapstick humor and unconventional methods to prove their innocence. Along the way, they unexpectedly find themselves on the path to becoming television stars.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Three Stooges
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Three Stooges Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Three Stooges (2012) 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. The Ultimatum

    Moe, Larry, and Curly are faced with a dire ultimatum regarding the future of their animated series, The Three Stooges Scrapbook. They have only ten days to present an engaging concept to their frustrated producer, setting the stage for a frantic scramble to save their show.

  2. Disastrous Cooking Incident

    In their chaotic efforts to brainstorm ideas, the Stooges land themselves in a disastrous cooking incident that leads to their eviction. This misadventure catalyzes their comedic quest for a new place to live, adding urgency to their situation.

  3. Meeting Professor Danforth

    The trio encounters the quirky Professor Danforth, who shares his bizarre theories about an impending Martian invasion. Intrigued by the unusual proposition, the Stooges agree to collaborate with him, merging their comedic talents with his eccentric ideas.

  4. Collaboration Begins

    Moe, Larry, and Curly set out to create an innovative 'electronic animation' device for their animated series. In exchange, the professor supports them in designing a multifunctional military vehicle, initiating an unusual partnership.

  5. The Butler's Secret

    Behind the scenes, Professor Danforth’s butler is revealed to be a crafty Martian spy, keeping a significant secret from the Stooges. As tensions rise, this undercover agent adds an additional layer of peril to their already chaotic collaboration.

  6. Communication Mishaps

    The Stooges experience a hilarious series of mishaps when their communication efforts mix up classic films. These blunders highlight their slapstick nature and deepen the misunderstandings surrounding their martial endeavor.

  7. The Nuclear Depth Bomb

    Amidst the confusion, the Stooges accidentally acquire a nuclear depth bomb, mistaking it for a carburetor. This ridiculous mix-up propels them into a series of absurd predicaments as they unwittingly become part of a greater plot.

  8. Nuclear Test Zone Adventure

    During a test of their military vehicle, the Stooges accidentally find themselves in a nuclear test zone. This unexpected twist leads to a frantic race against time as they now have to manage the bomb they’ve unwittingly attached to their vehicle.

    Where
    Nuclear Test Zone
  9. A Daring Mission

    With the threat of Martian invasion looming, the Stooges prepare for a daring mission to thwart the impending chaos. Their mission becomes not only a matter of comedy but a desperate effort to save the planet and their careers.

  10. Confronting the Martians

    The Stooges, equipped with their makeshift military vehicle, confront the invading Martians head-on. This act of bravery blends humor with action as they engage in a series of wild escapades to protect Earth.

  11. Preventing Catastrophe

    In a climactic showdown, Moe, Larry, and Curly work together to dismantle the Martians' nefarious plan. Their combination of slapstick comedy and clever antics allows them to avert disaster not only for Earth but also for Disneyland.

    Where
    Disneyland
  12. Saving Their Show

    With the Martians defeated and their mission accomplished, the Stooges secure the future of The Three Stooges Scrapbook. Their spirited adventure not only saves the planet but also revitalizes interest in their beloved series.

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 20:43

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Timeline questions answered

The Three Stooges Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Three Stooges (2012): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why were the Stooges evicted from their home?

The Stooges were evicted after a disastrous cooking incident while brainstorming ideas to save their animated series. During their frantic attempt to come up with a new concept for their producer, they caused a kitchen catastrophe that resulted in their eviction, forcing them to seek new living quarters.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, their chaotic brainstorming session hints at their inability to handle simple tasks without disaster.

  • eviction
  • cooking incident
  • the three stooges
  • landlord
Q2

Why did the Stooges agree to help Professor Danforth with his Martian invasion theory?

The Stooges agreed to collaborate with Professor Danforth primarily because they needed a place to live after being evicted. In exchange for helping him create an electronic animation device for their show, the professor offered to help them design a multifunctional military vehicle, combining their mutual needs into an unusual partnership.

Foreshadowing: Their desperate situation after eviction makes them willing to entertain any proposition, no matter how bizarre.

  • professor danforth
  • martian invasion
  • collaboration
  • housing
Q3

How did Professor Danforth's butler become a Martian spy?

The butler was secretly a Martian spy who had infiltrated Earth by working as Professor Danforth's servant. He kept his alien identity hidden throughout the collaboration, using his position to assist the Martian invasion plan from within the professor's home.

Foreshadowing: The butler's polite demeanor and hidden activities foreshadow his true allegiance as the Martian threat becomes clearer.

  • martian spy
  • butler
  • professor danforth
  • alien
Q4

Why did the Stooges mistake a nuclear depth bomb for a carburetor?

The Stooges accidentally acquired a nuclear depth bomb during their chaotic misadventures, completely mistaking it for a carburetor for their military vehicle. This absurd mix-up exemplifies their classic slapstick inability to recognize dangerous objects, and they unknowingly attached it to their vehicle's engine.

Foreshadowing: The communication failures and general confusion throughout the film set up this ridiculous misunderstanding.

  • nuclear depth bomb
  • carburetor
  • military vehicle
  • mix-up
Q5

How did the Stooges end up in a nuclear test zone?

During a test of their multifunctional military vehicle, the Stooges accidentally drove into a nuclear test zone. This happened because their vehicle had been equipped with the nuclear depth bomb they had mistaken for a carburetor, causing their operation to accelerate absurdly when they activated the engine.

Foreshadowing: The nuclear bomb attachment to their vehicle foreshadows the dangerous situation they would eventually encounter.

  • nuclear test zone
  • military vehicle
  • bomb
  • test drive
Q6

How did the Stooges manage to stop the Martian invasion?

The Stooges confronted the invading Martians using their makeshift military vehicle equipped with the nuclear depth bomb. Through their signature slapstick comedy and wild escapades, they successfully dismantled the Martians' plan to destroy Earth and Disneyland, ultimately defeating the alien threat despite their clumsy methods.

Foreshadowing: Their unconventional vehicle and the bomb they accidentally acquired become crucial tools in the final confrontation.

  • martian invasion
  • earth
  • disneyland
  • defeat
  • aliens
Q7

Why was The Three Stooges Scrapbook at risk of cancellation?

The Stooges' animated series, The Three Stooges Scrapbook, was at risk of cancellation because their producer was dissatisfied with their lack of new ideas. The trio was given an ultimatum: they had just ten days to present an engaging concept or the show would be canceled, putting their careers in jeopardy.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes the pressure they face, which drives their desperate quest throughout the film.

  • the three stooges scrapbook
  • cancellation
  • producer
  • tv show
Q8

How did saving Earth also save their TV show?

After successfully stopping the Martian invasion and protecting both Earth and Disneyland, the Stooges' heroic actions revitalized interest in their beloved series. Their triumphant adventure demonstrated their value not just as entertainers but as unexpected heroes, securing the future of The Three Stooges Scrapbook.

Foreshadowing: The film's happy ending reinforces that their adventure directly tied to their show's survival through the collaboration with Professor Danforth.

  • disneyland
  • tv show future
  • heroes
  • redemption
Q9

What was the electronic animation device the Stooges created?

The electronic animation device was an innovative project the Stooges developed for their animated series as part of their collaboration with Professor Danforth. It was meant to modernize The Three Stooges Scrapbook and make their show more engaging to save it from cancellation.

Foreshadowing: This device represents their attempt to innovate their show, which connects to their overall goal of saving the series.

  • electronic animation
  • innovation
  • animated series
  • scrapbook

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Three Stooges, by Mood & Story

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

Slapstick Chaos Movies like The Three Stooges

Movies where chaos, physical comedy, and ridiculous scenarios drive the plot. If you enjoyed the frantic, physical humor of The Three Stooges, you'll love these movies. This collection features films with a similar vibe of fast-paced, absurd slapstick comedy, where characters bumble their way through chaotic misadventures with lighthearted and hilarious results.

  • slapstick
  • chaotic
  • frantic
  • absurd
  • upbeat
  • playful
  • Tone: whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a linear, straightforward chain of events where a simple problem (like saving a home or a TV show) escalates into a series of outlandish situations. Character development is secondary to the execution of gag-driven set pieces, leading to a happy, crowd-pleasing resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to pure, energetic physical comedy. They feature a whimsical tone, fast pacing, and light emotional weight, creating a consistent viewing experience focused on fun and escapism through humor.

Movies about Bumbling Heroes like The Three Stooges

Stories where clumsy underdogs thwart evil plots through sheer luck and unconventional methods. Looking for more movies where the underdogs save the day? If you liked seeing the clumsy but good-hearted trio in The Three Stooges triumph, explore these similar stories. They feature lovable, unconventional heroes who use their unique quirks to overcome challenges in hilarious and heartwarming ways.

  • underdog
  • comedy
  • adventure
  • found family
  • heartwarming
  • quirky
  • Tone: hopeful, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a group of misfits or individuals who are initially dismissed but are forced into a high-stakes situation. Through a series of comedic errors that accidentally work in their favor, they develop a sense of purpose and prove their worth, often forming a 'found family' bond in the process.

Why they belong together: These films share a core theme of unlikely triumph. They blend comedy with adventure, maintaining a lighthearted feel even when the plot involves serious threats. The focus is on character-driven humor and the satisfaction of seeing the underdog win.

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Movies Like The Three Stooges

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

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Every angle

The Three Stooges (2012) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Three Stooges 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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