Aladdin and the King of Thieves
At long last, Aladdin is about to marry the Princess Jasmine. Despite the presence and encouragement of his friends Genie, Carpet, and Abu, he is fearful and anxious. He is most worried as to what kind of father he will be, having never known his own. But when the 40 Thieves disrupt the wedding trying to steal a magical oracular talisman, Aladdin is drawn into a dangerous quest to stop the thieves...and find his long-lost father.
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 and the King of Thieves (1996) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Tad Stones's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Aladdin
Cassim
Princess Jasmine
Genie
Iago
Sa'luk
Main Cast & Characters
Aladdin
Played by Scott Weinger
A former street rat now prince, seeking to marry Jasmine while discovering the truth about his father.
Cassim
Played by John Rhys-Davies
The King of Thieves and Aladdin's long-lost father, torn between his quest for treasure and his family.
Princess Jasmine
Played by Linda Larkin
The independent princess of Agrabah, preparing to marry Aladdin despite the chaos surrounding their wedding.
Genie
Played by Robin Williams
Aladdin's loyal and magical best friend, now free and helping with wedding preparations.
Iago
Played by Gilbert Gottfried
The reformed parrot seeking redemption while struggling with his selfish impulses.
Sa'luk
Played by Jerry Orbach
The ruthless lieutenant of the Forty Thieves who seeks to overthrow Cassim and claim leadership.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Agrabah celebrates as Aladdin and Jasmine prepare for their wedding. Aladdin is welcomed as a hero and prince, showing how far he's come from street rat to royalty. The opening establishes joy and anticipation, but hints at Aladdin's underlying questions about his identity and missing father.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when The Forty Thieves attack the wedding ceremony, seeking the Oracle's staff. Chaos erupts as the celebration becomes a battle. The thieves are led by a mysterious cloaked figure who shows unusual interest in Aladdin during their confrontation.. At 12% 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Aladdin chooses to leave Agrabah and infiltrate the Forty Thieves to find his father. He actively decides to postpone the wedding and enter the dangerous world of the thieves, risking everything he's built for the chance to know his heritage., moving from reaction to action.
At 39 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The truth is revealed—Aladdin and Cassim discover they are son and father. It's a false victory: they've found each other at last, and Cassim returns to Agrabah for the wedding. Everything seems perfect as the family is finally whole, but Cassim's obsession with the Hand of Midas and his thief nature remain hidden threats., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 59 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cassim is captured and sentenced to life in prison. Aladdin loses his father just after finding him, and worse, must choose between family loyalty and justice. His dream of a complete family dies. Cassim tells Aladdin to let him go and live his own life, severing the bond Aladdin desperately wanted., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 64 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Aladdin breaks his father out of prison and they pursue the Forty Thieves together, now as true partners. Aladdin synthesizes his street-smart survival skills with his newfound understanding of family loyalty. Father and son work together as equals, no longer hiding who they are., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Aladdin and the King of Thieves's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Aladdin and the King of Thieves against these established plot points, we can identify how Tad Stones utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Aladdin and the King of Thieves within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Agrabah celebrates as Aladdin and Jasmine prepare for their wedding. Aladdin is welcomed as a hero and prince, showing how far he's come from street rat to royalty. The opening establishes joy and anticipation, but hints at Aladdin's underlying questions about his identity and missing father.
Theme
Genie asks Aladdin about his father, and the Merchant tells stories about family and heritage. The theme emerges: "Who are we without knowing where we come from?" and the importance of family legacy, both good and bad.
Worldbuilding
Wedding preparations continue with elaborate festivities. We see Aladdin's new life: respected, loved by Jasmine, friends with the Sultan and Genie. But Aladdin reveals his longing to know about his father, creating an emotional gap in his otherwise perfect life. Iago returns seeking redemption.
Disruption
The Forty Thieves attack the wedding ceremony, seeking the Oracle's staff. Chaos erupts as the celebration becomes a battle. The thieves are led by a mysterious cloaked figure who shows unusual interest in Aladdin during their confrontation.
Resistance
Aladdin captures the Oracle's staff and asks it about his father. The Oracle reveals his father is alive—Cassim, the King of Thieves himself. Aladdin debates whether to pursue this truth, torn between his impending marriage to Jasmine and his desperate need to find his father. Jasmine encourages him to seek answers.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aladdin chooses to leave Agrabah and infiltrate the Forty Thieves to find his father. He actively decides to postpone the wedding and enter the dangerous world of the thieves, risking everything he's built for the chance to know his heritage.
Mirror World
Aladdin meets Cassim face-to-face among the thieves, though neither reveals their true identity at first. This relationship becomes the thematic heart—father and son, both hiding who they are, both seeking the same thing (family) but approaching it differently. Cassim represents what Aladdin could become if he chooses the wrong path.
Premise
Aladdin bonds with the thieves and especially with Cassim, earning his trust through cleverness and courage. Father and son work together without knowing their connection, sharing adventures and narrow escapes. The premise delivers on the promise: Aladdin discovering his father and exploring what family means.
Midpoint
The truth is revealed—Aladdin and Cassim discover they are son and father. It's a false victory: they've found each other at last, and Cassim returns to Agrabah for the wedding. Everything seems perfect as the family is finally whole, but Cassim's obsession with the Hand of Midas and his thief nature remain hidden threats.
Opposition
Cassim's true nature emerges as he cannot let go of his quest for the Hand of Midas. He steals the Oracle again during the wedding, betraying Aladdin's trust. Sa'luk, the treacherous thief, takes control of the Forty Thieves and becomes an active threat. Aladdin must defend his father while questioning whether Cassim can ever change. Trust deteriorates.
Collapse
Cassim is captured and sentenced to life in prison. Aladdin loses his father just after finding him, and worse, must choose between family loyalty and justice. His dream of a complete family dies. Cassim tells Aladdin to let him go and live his own life, severing the bond Aladdin desperately wanted.
Crisis
Aladdin struggles with the loss, questioning his choices. But with Jasmine's support, he realizes he cannot abandon his father. Aladdin decides that family means fighting for each other, even when it's hard, even when they've failed you. He chooses to rescue Cassim and give him another chance.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aladdin breaks his father out of prison and they pursue the Forty Thieves together, now as true partners. Aladdin synthesizes his street-smart survival skills with his newfound understanding of family loyalty. Father and son work together as equals, no longer hiding who they are.
Synthesis
Final battle on the Vanishing Isle. Aladdin and Cassim confront Sa'luk and the thieves. Cassim must choose between the Hand of Midas (his lifelong obsession) and saving Aladdin. He chooses his son, finally letting go of his treasure-seeking past. Together they defeat Sa'luk. Cassim proves he has changed by giving up the ultimate prize for family.
Transformation
The wedding finally happens with Cassim present, watching proudly before sailing away to reform the Forty Thieves into heroes. Aladdin has found his father and learned that family isn't about perfection—it's about acceptance and second chances. The image mirrors the opening wedding, but now Aladdin is complete, knowing where he comes from and who he chooses to be.