Tom & Jerry

Tom & Jerry

Year: 2021

Runtime: 101 min

Language: English

Director: Tim Story

Echo Score: 50

Budget: $79M

AdventureComedyAnimationFamily

In New York City's most prestigious hotel, the iconic cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry, find their timeless rivalry escalating when Jerry disrupts a lavish wedding. Hired to remove the pesky mouse and save the event, Tom's efforts are complicated by a sinister plot involving a scheming hotel staffer. As the chaos intensifies, Tom and Jerry must join forces to thwart the staffer’s plans and protect the wedding, and their own survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Tom & Jerry 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!

Tom & Jerry (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Tom & Jerry (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a vibrant world where humans coexist with animated animals, we follow the antics of Tom Cat, a feline dreaming of becoming a pianist, as he relocates to Manhattan. He sets up camp in Central Park, meanwhile Jerry Mouse is on the hunt for a new residence. Their chaotic introduction begins when Tom’s piano, which he plays while pretending to be blind to make money, is destroyed during a scuffle. This occurs when Jerry, trying to earn money by dancing in front of Tom’s impromptu performances, gets caught, leading the crowd to retract their donations upon realizing Tom’s deception.

During this commotion, Tom inadvertently collides with a young wedding planner named Kayla Forester, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz, resulting in her termination from the Royal Gate Hotel where she worked. Desperate to regain her footing and showcase her skills, Kayla cleverly fabricates a resume belonging to another job applicant and successfully lands a position at New York’s upscale venue, the Royal Gate, where she is tasked with organizing a high-profile wedding.

Within the hotel, Jerry’s mischievous behavior continues as he pilfer food and various items to make his new home more comfortable, while Tom devises plans to infiltrate the hotel and capture Jerry. Opposing Kayla’s hiring is Terrence, the hotel manager, who is skeptical of her capabilities. The Royal Gate Hotel boasts 260 luxurious rooms and 104 suites, with impeccable standards overseen by Chef Jackie Ken Jeong, a Michelin-starred culinary artist, and Joy the Bell Girl Patsy Ferran, a socially awkward bellhop.

As the video unfolds, we are introduced to local celebrities Preeta Mehta Pallavi Sharda and her fiancé Ben Colin Jost during their exciting arrival for the wedding. Unbeknownst to them, Jerry is already causing trouble by stealing from Preeta’s handbag. In a bid to alleviate the situation, Kayla suggests Ben take their pet Spike to a dog park for a discreet evening walk.

However, trouble ensues as Jerry’s prankish antics are soon revealed, jeopardizing both the wedding and the hotel’s tranquillity. Kayla offers to catch Jerry but quickly realizes that he is elusive and clever. After several failed attempts, Tom finally breaks into the hotel, leading to havoc when a fierce chase disrupts the ambience. Their noisy exploits trigger noise complaints, and during an encounter, Kayla finds herself teaming up with Tom, united in their mission to capture Jerry.

Kayla’s recommendation leads hotel owner Mr. Dubros Rob Delaney to hire Tom as the designated exterminator for Jerry, with pressure mounting from Terence, played by Michael Peña, who warns them of dire consequences if they fail.

As the humorous struggle between Tom and Jerry ensues, including a failed attempt that sees Tom mistakenly attack Spike, the story takes several unforeseen turns. Jerry, taking center stage, cunningly reveals the location of Preeta’s missing engagement ring as a bargaining chip to negotiate his stay in the hotel. Meanwhile, moments of chaos arise when misunderstandings lead to a grand destruction of the hotel’s lobby, causing Kayla to not only retrieve the stolen ring but also alter the course of her career at the hotel.

Eventually, following the mayhem, Kayla rises to the position of event manager for returning the ring while Terence faces suspension due to his role in the incident. To maintain their places, Kayla instructs Tom and Jerry to put aside their rivalries and foster an uneasy alliance. However, their mischief leads to an unfortunate incident at a New York Yankees baseball game, resulting in their temporary imprisonment.

As tensions escalate and lies from a vengeful Terence set them against each other, the chaos climaxes at the wedding ceremony, where the duo’s antics culminate in a battleground of comedic disaster. Heartbreak ensues after Kayla’s public humiliation forces her to leave. Yet, a change of heart from Tom and Jerry leads them to rally together, ensuring the wedding goes ahead, much to everyone’s surprise.

In a heartfelt resolution, they lure Preeta and Toots to Central Park for the ceremony, promising a peaceful resolution. Ben reconciles with Preeta, mending their relationship while Kayla finds common ground with the owner of the stolen resume. The film concludes with Tom pursuing his piano dream and a lively interaction with Jerry, leading to inevitable shenanigans once more.

In a whimsical post-credit scene, Ben finds himself confronted with a shocking bill for not one, but two weddings.

Last Updated: October 31, 2024 at 14:51

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.

Movies about rivals becoming allies like Tom & Jerry

Stories where sworn enemies must work together to face a greater threat.If you enjoyed seeing Tom and Jerry team up in 'Tom & Jerry', you'll love these movies about iconic rivals forced into an unlikely alliance. Discover similar comedy adventures where enemies become partners to save the day, filled with humorous friction and chaotic teamwork.

unlikely alliancecomedic rivalrychaotic teamworkplayfulupliftingslapstickenemies to friends

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple but effective pattern: a long-standing rivalry is disrupted by a larger, external problem that threatens both parties. Initially, the protagonists try to handle the problem separately, but their efforts fail due to their conflict. They are eventually forced into a temporary truce, discovering that their combined strengths are the only path to success, leading to a newfound, often humorous, respect.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share the core emotional arc of transitioning from conflict to cooperation. They balance slapstick or competitive humor with a heartwarming message about teamwork, all wrapped in a fast-paced, lighthearted adventure.

Live-action and animation hybrid movies like Tom & Jerry

Whimsical stories where cartoon characters cause havoc in the real world.Fans of the chaotic blend in 'Tom & Jerry' will enjoy these other live-action and animation hybrids. Explore movies where cartoon characters interact with real-world settings, causing hilarious havoc and embarking on whimsical, family-friendly urban adventures.

whimsicalslapstickplayful chaosfamily funurban adventurevisual gagscartoon physics

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a structured real-world event or goal that is completely upended by the arrival of unpredictable animated characters. The human protagonists initially see these characters as a problem to be solved, but through a series of chaotic escapades, they often learn a valuable lesson or join forces with the cartoons to achieve an even greater success.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique visual and tonal blend. They share a specific kind of humor derived from the contrast between realistic settings and cartoonish physics, creating a consistently light, playful, and energetic viewing experience perfect for families.

Unlock the Full Story of Tom & Jerry

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

Tom & Jerry Timeline

Track the full timeline of Tom & Jerry with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Tom & Jerry Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tom & Jerry

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tom & Jerry

Tom & Jerry Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Tom & Jerry 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.

Tom & Jerry Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Tom & Jerry

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tom & Jerry: 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 Tom & Jerry