Year: 1997
Runtime: 87 mins
Language: English
Director: Peter Hewitt
The four‑inch‑tall Clock family lives hidden inside the Lender home, quietly borrowing thread, safety pins, batteries and scraps of food. Their peace ends when lawyer Ocious P. Potter steals the house’s will and plans to demolish it for apartments. As the Lenders must leave, the Clocks risk exposure to the outside world.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Borrowers (1997) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the quiet suburb where the Lender family resides, the ordinary rhythms of daily life hide an extraordinary secret. Inside the walls and beneath the floorboards of their home, a diminutive clan makes its world out of discarded threads, safety pins, batteries and the occasional crumb. Their existence is a careful choreography of borrowing just enough to survive, while staying perfectly unseen by the occupants above. The house itself becomes a sprawling wonderland of oversized objects, each one a potential treasure or hazard for the four‑inch‑tall Clock family.
The Clock clan is led by the gentle yet resourceful patriarch Pod Clock, whose curiosity is matched only by his protective love for his children. Arrietty Clock, bright‑eyed and adventurous, constantly pushes the boundaries of what their tiny world can accommodate, while her brother Peagreen Clock offers a steadier, more cautious counterpoint. Their lives are a blend of tender family moments and the constant, quiet tension of existing in a realm not meant for them, fostering a deep bond that is both charming and poignant.
Above them, the human side of the story unfolds. Pete Lender, a perceptive child, begins to notice the inexplicable disappearances that hint at something unseen. His parents, Joe Lender and Victoria Lender, navigate the usual concerns of family life, unaware that a hidden society shares their home. Into this delicate balance steps the ambitious lawyer Ocious P. Potter, whose plans for the property threaten to upend both the human and Borrower worlds. The looming prospect of demolition casts a shadow over the house, turning the everyday into a ticking clock for everyone involved.
The film balances whimsy and tension, inviting viewers into a world where the ordinary is anything but. With a tone that blends gentle humor, quiet wonder, and an undercurrent of suspense, the story explores what happens when two vastly different lives intersect—prompting both sides to question the limits of their worlds and the fragile connections that bind them together.
Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:35
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where small protagonists face oversized perils in sprawling, everyday landscapes.If you enjoyed the tiny-scale adventure in The Borrowers, you'll love these movies. This collection features stories where small protagonists, from Borrowers to mice to insects, navigate our world as a massive, perilous landscape. Find similar family adventures filled with clever escapes and imaginative perspectives.
Movies in this thread typically follow a small community or family whose hidden existence is threatened, forcing them into a journey across a human-sized world. The narrative is driven by chase sequences, inventive problem-solving with everyday items, and a central theme of defending their home against a larger, often comical, threat.
These films are grouped by their unique perspective and the specific thrill of seeing the world from a few inches high. They share a sense of whimsical wonder mixed with tangible peril, a fast pace with continuous obstacles, and a focus on resourcefulness and resilience against overwhelming odds.
Fast-paced adventures where underdog families outwit cartoonishly greedy antagonists.Looking for more fun capers like The Borrowers? These movies feature a lovable family facing off against a comically greedy villain whose plans threaten their home. Discover similar fast-paced, whimsical adventures filled with playful humor, clever escapes, and a feel-good, triumphant ending.
The narrative pattern involves a clear external threat, usually a villain motivated by greed or a desire for property, who disrupts the peaceful life of a protagonist family. The story is a series of escalating capers and chases as the family works together, often with an unlikely ally, to creatively expose and defeat the villain.
These movies share a specific blend of tone and plot: a light emotional weight, a fast pace driven by physical comedy and chase sequences, a straightforward good-versus-evil conflict with a cartoonish antagonist, and an ultimately hopeful, happy resolution that reaffirms family bonds.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Borrowers 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 Borrowers is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Borrowers, 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.
Track the full timeline of The Borrowers with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Borrowers. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Borrowers: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Borrowers 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.
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