Aladdin
A kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin vies for the love of the beautiful princess Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah. When he finds a magic lamp, he uses the genie's magic power to make himself a prince in order to marry her. He's also on a mission to stop the powerful Jafar who plots to steal the magic lamp that could make his deepest wishes come true.
Despite a major studio investment of $183.0M, Aladdin became a solid performer, earning $1097.8M worldwide—a 500% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace bold vision even at blockbuster scale.
9 wins & 39 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Aladdin (2019) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Guy Ritchie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Aladdin
Jasmine
Genie
Jafar
Dalia
The Sultan
Main Cast & Characters
Aladdin
Played by Mena Massoud
A street-smart thief with a good heart who dreams of a better life beyond survival in Agrabah.
Jasmine
Played by Naomi Scott
The independent and compassionate Princess of Agrabah who desires to rule and make her own choices.
Genie
Played by Will Smith
A powerful, comedic being trapped in a lamp for 10,000 years who yearns for freedom.
Jafar
Played by Marwan Kenzari
The scheming Grand Vizier of Agrabah who seeks ultimate power through the magic lamp.
Dalia
Played by Nasim Pedrad
Jasmine's loyal handmaiden and best friend who provides support and comic relief.
The Sultan
Played by Navid Negahban
Jasmine's well-meaning but somewhat naive father, the ruler of Agrabah.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Aladdin stealing bread in the Agrabah marketplace, a charming street rat living by his wits with his monkey Abu. He's talented but aimless, dreaming of more but stuck in survival mode.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Aladdin meets Jasmine in the marketplace (disguised as a commoner). Instant connection and chemistry. For the first time, both characters meet someone who sees their true self.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Aladdin enters the Cave of Wonders and retrieves the lamp. Jafar betrays him, leaving him trapped to die. Aladdin accidentally releases the Genie, entering the magical world of wish-granting., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Jasmine realizes Prince Ali is actually the boy from the market. False victory: she's falling for him, but he continues the lie. Stakes raised when Jafar becomes suspicious of Prince Ali's true identity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jafar becomes the most powerful sorcerer in the world and takes control of Agrabah. The Sultan and Jasmine are enslaved. Aladdin is powerless, exposed as a fraud, and banished to the ends of the earth. Total defeat., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Aladdin returns to Agrabah as himself - not Prince Ali, but Aladdin the street rat. He accepts his true identity and chooses authenticity over pretense. He synthesizes his cleverness with his newfound integrity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aladdin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Aladdin against these established plot points, we can identify how Guy Ritchie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Aladdin within the adventure genre.
Guy Ritchie's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Guy Ritchie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.4, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Aladdin represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Guy Ritchie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Guy Ritchie analyses, see Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Gentlemen.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Aladdin stealing bread in the Agrabah marketplace, a charming street rat living by his wits with his monkey Abu. He's talented but aimless, dreaming of more but stuck in survival mode.
Theme
Dalia tells Jasmine: "You need to be yourself." The theme of authenticity versus pretense - being true to who you are rather than pretending to be someone you're not - is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Agrabah, Jasmine trapped in the palace facing forced marriage, Jafar seeking the lamp, and Aladdin's street life. Introduction of the rule that Jasmine must marry a prince.
Disruption
Aladdin meets Jasmine in the marketplace (disguised as a commoner). Instant connection and chemistry. For the first time, both characters meet someone who sees their true self.
Resistance
Aladdin is captured and imprisoned by Jafar's guards. Jafar manipulates Aladdin into retrieving the lamp from the Cave of Wonders, promising freedom and the ability to impress Jasmine. Aladdin debates whether to trust Jafar.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aladdin enters the Cave of Wonders and retrieves the lamp. Jafar betrays him, leaving him trapped to die. Aladdin accidentally releases the Genie, entering the magical world of wish-granting.
Mirror World
Genie appears and offers Aladdin three wishes. Genie becomes the thematic mirror - he too is trapped playing a role (the servant) rather than being free to be himself. Their friendship begins.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Aladdin as Prince Ali. The spectacular entrance to Agrabah, the magic carpet ride with Jasmine ("A Whole New World"), and Aladdin enjoying the wish-fulfillment of wealth and status - but living a lie.
Midpoint
Jasmine realizes Prince Ali is actually the boy from the market. False victory: she's falling for him, but he continues the lie. Stakes raised when Jafar becomes suspicious of Prince Ali's true identity.
Opposition
Jafar's suspicions grow. Aladdin struggles with whether to tell Jasmine the truth. Jafar discovers Prince Ali's identity, drowns him, and steals the lamp. The antagonist closes in as Aladdin's lies catch up with him.
Collapse
Jafar becomes the most powerful sorcerer in the world and takes control of Agrabah. The Sultan and Jasmine are enslaved. Aladdin is powerless, exposed as a fraud, and banished to the ends of the earth. Total defeat.
Crisis
Aladdin's dark night - he realizes his deception cost him everything. He sees the consequences of pretending to be someone he's not. He must find the courage to be his true self.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aladdin returns to Agrabah as himself - not Prince Ali, but Aladdin the street rat. He accepts his true identity and chooses authenticity over pretense. He synthesizes his cleverness with his newfound integrity.
Synthesis
Aladdin uses wit (not magic) to trick Jafar into wishing to become a genie - trapping him in a lamp. Aladdin uses his final wish to free Genie. The Sultan changes the law so Jasmine can marry whom she chooses.
Transformation
Aladdin and Jasmine together on the balcony, both free to be themselves. Genie is human and free. Everyone has been liberated from pretending - they can be who they truly are. Transformation complete.