Year: 2001
Runtime: 5 mins
Language: English
Director: Joe Harris
A little boy gets more than he bargained for when he tries to wait up and catch the Tooth Fairy in the act.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Tooth Fairy (2001), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Catherine Overfelt as Mother and Jordan Johansen as Boy anchor a tale that blends small-town charm with a fantastic twist, centered on a dreamer named Larry Guthrie. Larry, a hopeful figure who longs for something bigger, wins a Camaro in a raffle while on the way to a child’s birthday party. He enters the contest despite Brooke’s doubts, and the moment of victory comes after a suspenseful third attempt where he, against the odds, knocks down two bowling pins with a bowling ball after slipping on nacho cheese sauce. This quirky win sets off a chain of events that destabilizes his life yet nudges him toward a surprising new role.
After a breakup with Brooke, who soon becomes engaged to the town’s big political hopeful Bo Billings, Larry decides to win her back by getting involved in the community. He volunteers at the after-school program that Brooke runs, hoping to show he’s got real substance. His first day exposes the fragility of childhood belief when he tells a child that the Tooth Fairy isn’t real, shocking the boy named Gabe and unsettling the group. That night, Nyx, a Tooth Fairy, appears in a head-to-toe pink fairy outfit and informs Larry that he is now a substitute Tooth Fairy who must collect ten teeth in ten days. He’s given fairy dust and a mandate: succeed, or his greatest memory will be taken away. The heart of the story then shifts as Larry awakens to find the experience real rather than a dream and finds himself turning into the Tooth Fairy on subsequent nights.
As Larry embraces his new duties, he begins to make real progress at the after-school program. His efforts help the kids, and Brooke starts to warm up to him, recognizing the positive changes he’s bringing. The couple even enjoys a lighthearted moment during wedding cake testing, where Larry’s understanding of Brooke’s preferences—such as her allergy to strawberries and love for orange buttercream—impresses her. With the funds they’ve raised, Larry volunteers to buy supplies for the program, hoping to earn more of Brooke’s trust and affection.
Trouble intensifies when Bo steals the program supplies to smear Larry’s reputation, and Larry returns from a tooth-collection mission to discover his car is missing. This upheaval tests their newfound stability, and Larry contemplates quitting his role as the Tooth Fairy, convinced that the memory he’s been chasing might not be worth the price. Yet he soon realizes that the “Metro County Miracle” he chased might not be his greatest memory after all. With renewed resolve, Larry reclaims his Tooth Fairy duties just in time to finish collecting the remaining teeth and restore belief in the toy-filled magic for the children.
The emotional arc peaks as Larry learns that his true greatest memory is shared with [ Brooke ]. He confides this revelation, prompting Brooke to confront Bo about his own shallow priorities. Bo’s subsequent confrontation with Larry ends disastrously when a fall from grace (and a clumsy accident) leads to amnesia powder being released on him as Larry rises into the night as a bathed-in-moonlight symbol of belief restored. Brooke chooses Larry, and the two marry, building a life together and anticipating a child. The closing beat introduces Nyx again, inviting Larry to step in as the regional Tooth Fairy when the current keeper falls ill, and he accepts, taking off into the night to retrieve the next tooth. This final loop reinforces the film’s core message: belief, community, and love can transform even a small-town dreamer into a real guardian of magic.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:54
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Flawed characters find their heart through a whimsical and magical second chance.Explore movies like Tooth Fairy where cynical characters get a magical second chance. If you enjoyed the lighthearted journey of personal growth and whimsical fantasy, you'll find similar charming stories here about finding belief and love through extraordinary circumstances.
These narratives typically follow a classic arc: a self-centered protagonist is unwillingly thrust into a magical role or task. Through a series of comedic and heartwarming challenges, they rediscover their kindness and beliefs, overcoming a clear antagonist and earning a happy ending, often with a romantic subplot.
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Magic quietly blends into the everyday life of a close-knit, charming community.Discover movies similar to Tooth Fairy that feature magic intertwined with small-town life. If you liked the charming community, lighthearted rivalry, and uplifting feel of belief and volunteering, this collection of cozy fantastical stories is for you.
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Don't stop at just watching — explore Tooth Fairy 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 Tooth Fairy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Tooth Fairy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
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