Tooth Fairy (2001) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Larry wins a Camaro raffle on the way to a birthday party

Larry defies the odds and enters a raffle on his way to a child's birthday party. The moment he wins comes after a chaotic display involving bowling pins and nacho cheese sauce, turning an ordinary drive into a life-changing accident of luck. This improbable victory sets off a chain of events that destabilizes his life yet pulls him toward a larger, magical path.

Where

Local town

Brooke becomes engaged to Bo Billings after their breakup

Following their breakup, Brooke enters a new relationship and becomes engaged to the town's rising political hopeful Bo Billings. Larry watches the town's shifting loyalties and wonders how to win Brooke back. The engagement amplifies Larry's motivation to prove his worth in the community.

Where

Town

Larry volunteers at the after-school program and shocks a child

Larry volunteers at Brooke's after-school program, hoping to demonstrate real commitment. On his first day, he bluntly tells a child that the Tooth Fairy isn’t real, shocking the boy and unsettling the group. The moment reveals how fragile childhood belief can be and foreshadows a larger magical turn.

Where

Brooke's after-school program

Nyx arrives and appoints Larry as substitute Tooth Fairy

That night, Nyx, a pink-clad Tooth Fairy, appears and reveals that Larry is now a substitute Tooth Fairy. He is tasked with collecting ten teeth in ten days, equipped with fairy dust and a stern mandate to succeed or risk losing his greatest memory. The encounter confirms that the dreamlike magic is real and personal.

When

That night

Where

Larry's town at night

Larry awakens to real duties and begins turning into a Tooth Fairy

Larry wakes to find the Tooth Fairy reality is not a dream and begins turning into the guardian on subsequent nights. He juggles tooth-collection missions with his daytime life, gradually embracing a new, magical identity. The transformation marks a bold shift from ordinary citizen to town guardian of belief.

When

Nightly

Where

Across town at night

Brooke warms to Larry as he helps the kids and bonds deepen

Larry's progress at the program starts to yield tangible benefits for the kids, and Brooke begins to soften toward him. They share a lighthearted moment during wedding cake testing, where Larry surprisingly understands her preferences. The funds raised empower him to buy supplies for the program, reinforcing his commitment.

Where

After-school program and bakery

Bo steals supplies to smear Larry and steals his car

Bo retaliates by stealing the program supplies to damage Larry's reputation, heightening town tensions. When Larry returns from a tooth-collection mission, he discovers his car is missing, compounding the sense of upheaval. This blow tests his resolve and his role in the community.

Where

Town

Larry contemplates quitting, chases the 'greatest memory' idea

Under mounting pressure, Larry considers quitting his Tooth Fairy duties, convinced the greatest memory might lie elsewhere. He reevaluates what truly matters, recognizing that the memory he's chasing may be less important than the children he helps. The inner conflict sets the stage for renewed commitment.

Larry rededicates to collecting teeth and reaffirming belief

With renewed resolve, Larry reclaims his Tooth Fairy duties and pushes to finish collecting the remaining teeth within the ten-day window. He works to restore belief in the town's magic for the children, despite ongoing obstacles. The community's trust grows as the ritual nears completion.

Where

Town

Greatest memory revealed with Brooke

Larry discovers that his greatest memory is not a trophy but the life he shares with Brooke. He confides this revelation to her, deepening their bond and reframing their future together. The moment shifts the conflict toward Bo and their shared path.

Where

Town

Bo's downfall and amnesia powder; Larry stands as symbol of belief

Bo's confrontation with Larry ends in a disastrous fall that releases amnesia powder, tarnishing Bo's standing in the town. Larry rises under the moonlight as a symbol of restored belief and quiet wonder. Brooke witnesses the upheaval and begins to reassess Bo's priorities.

Where

Town

Brooke chooses Larry and they marry

Brooke chooses Larry over Bo, and they marry, building a life together and planning a family. The wedding marks a practical culmination of their rebuilt relationship and shared mission. They commit to nurturing the program and the magic in their town.

Where

Wedding venue in town

Nyx invites Larry to become regional Tooth Fairy

In the closing beat, Nyx invites Larry to step in as the regional Tooth Fairy when the current keeper falls ill. He accepts and heads out into the night to retrieve the next tooth, ready to extend belief beyond their town. The film ends with a reaffirmed message that belief, community, and love can transform a dreamer into a guardian of magic.

When

Closing beat

Where

Night sky over town