Think Big

Think Big

Year: 1989

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Comedy

They rely on strength, determination, and a lucky chicken bone, proving that brains aren't everything. Two truckers hired to haul toxic waste across the country become entangled with a teen prodigy who hides aboard their rig, sparking chaotic adventure.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Think Big yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Think Big (1989)

Trace every key event in Think Big (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Unlucky start and mounting pressure

Rafe and Victor are twin truckers with a string of missed deadlines and mounting debt, haunted by the loan shark Sweeney who keeps threatening to repossess their truck. The pressure intensifies as every delivery looms and their already shaky luck seems ready to collapse.

2

Final chance and the foul-up clock

Their boss gives them one last shot, ordering them to haul barrels of toxic waste from Tech Star to a ship off the California coast. He installs a digital countdown on the dashboard, a clock he dubs the foul-up clock, to keep them focused on the deadline.

Day Tech Star office
3

Holly stows away in the cab

At Tech Star, Holly, a brilliant young inventor kept in slave labor, hides in the twins' cab after learning the cargo's destination. They vow to protect her, but their presence triggers pursuit by Tech Star's enforcers.

Day Tech Star loading yard
4

Pursuit and motel refuge

Dr. Bruekner, Tech Star's CEO, and his hired goons close in, forcing the trio to flee and seek refuge in a Texas motel. The chase intensifies as they stay one step ahead of their pursuers.

Night Texas motel
5

The code memory test and clock rewind

Holly struggles to recall the correct code to restart the truck's engine using her device while the threat of capture closes in. In a tense moment, she accidentally inputs a sequence that rewrites the foul-up clock, moving time backward by two hours.

Night to early morning Texas motel/along the highway
6

California bound and device destruction

Arriving in California, the group faces danger as they push toward the final destination. Holly destroys her device before they can be captured, unaware that the brothers had swapped it with an ordinary motel remote.

Approach to coast California
7

Foul-up clock misfire revealed

After dropping Holly at her boyfriend's house, the brothers realize the foul-up clock has sabotaged their timing by moving two hours back. They are suddenly racing against a changed countdown rather than the original schedule.

Shortly after California On the road toward dock
8

Missed ship at the dock

With too little time left, they hurry to the dock, but the ship has already sailed without them. The failure to deliver amplifies the sense of looming termination from their employer and creditors.

Evening California ship dock
9

Truck repossessed and the toxic spill

Sweeney reclaims the truck, and his reckless driving causes the barrels to rupture, releasing toxic chemicals that contaminate the rig. The incident is dramatic enough that Sweeney's hair falls out from exposure.

Following repossession Dock area
10

Holly markets her invention

Holly markets her invention, turning a dangerous asset into a powerful opportunity and securing financial independence for herself through the deal.

Post-incident Holly's market venture
11

A new transportation partnership

She teams up with Rafe and Victor to form their own transportation company, combining Holly's remote technology with the brothers' trucking expertise.

Later Business offices
12

Road ahead: a fresh start

The film ends with a CB message from Holly about a new client, and the brothers set off in a brand-new tractor-trailer to begin their shipment. It marks a hopeful turn from their past failures toward a controlled future.

End On the road

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:31

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

Chaotic Road Trip Comedies like Think Big

Outlandish adventures that turn a simple journey into a madcap cross-country scramble.If you liked the madcap cross-country scramble in Think Big, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features fast-paced comedies about underdog travelers whose simple journeys spiral into hilarious, chaotic adventures filled with eccentric characters and slapstick humor.

road tripchaoticslapstickfranticlightheartedadventurousquirkyenergetic

Narrative Summary

These stories follow a group of mismatched characters on a linear journey that is constantly interrupted by absurd complications, frantic pursuits, and comedic misadventures. The plot is driven forward by a series of escalating obstacles that test the characters' ingenuity and strengthen their camaraderie.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core vibe of optimistic chaos, a fast pace with little downtime, and a lighthearted tone that turns potential dangers into sources of humor. They center on the transformative power of a shared, unpredictable adventure.

Movies about Underdog Techies like the prodigy in Think Big

Brilliant but unconventional minds whose creations spark comedic chaos and adventure.Fans of the child prodigy and his inventions in Think Big will love these stories. This list gathers movies about brilliant but unconventional minds—young geniuses, quirky inventors—whose remarkable creations lead to chaotic, lighthearted, and adventurous situations.

inventionchild prodigyquirkyoptimisticchaoticlightheartedeccentricclever

Narrative Summary

The narrative revolves around a unique invention or intellectual talent that serves as a catalyst for the plot. This often forces the brilliant but socially awkward inventor into an unlikely partnership with more grounded characters, leading to a series of comedic escapades as they try to control or leverage the invention.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on unconventional intelligence as a source of both wonder and comedy. They blend a sense of optimistic ingenuity with lighthearted, chaotic outcomes, celebrating cleverness while finding humor in its unintended consequences.

Unlock the Full Story of Think Big

Don't stop at just watching — explore Think Big 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 Think Big is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Think Big Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Think Big, 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.

Think Big Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Think Big

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Think Big. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Think Big

Think Big Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Think Big that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Think Big Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Think Big

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Think Big: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Think Big

Similar Movies to Think Big

Discover movies like Think Big 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.