Arthur and the Invisibles
Arthur is a spirited ten-year old whose parents are away looking for work, whose eccentric grandfather has been missing for several years, and who lives with his grandmother in a country house that, in two days, will be repossessed, torn down, and turned into a block of flats unless Arthur's grandfather returns to sign some papers and pay off the family debt. Arthur discovers that the key to success lies in his own descent into the land of the Minimoys, creatures no larger than a tooth, whom his grandfather helped relocate to their garden. Somewhere among them is hidden a pile of rubies, too. Can Arthur be of stout heart and save the day? Romance beckons as well, and a villain lurks.
Working with a substantial budget of $86.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $108.6M in global revenue (+26% profit margin).
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%)
Arthur and the Invisibles (2006) showcases carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Luc Besson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Arthur
Princess Selenia
Betameche
Maltazard (The Evil M)
Grandma
Grandpa Archibald
Mino
King
Main Cast & Characters
Arthur
Played by Freddie Highmore
A 10-year-old boy who shrinks down to join the Minimoys and save his grandmother's home from developers.
Princess Selenia
Played by Madonna
A brave and headstrong Minimoy princess who becomes Arthur's guide and ally in the adventure.
Betameche
Played by Jimmy Fallon
Selenia's younger brother, a quirky and comedic Minimoy who joins the quest.
Maltazard (The Evil M)
Played by David Bowie
The villainous fallen Minimoy warrior seeking to conquer both the Minimoy world and the human world.
Grandma
Played by Mia Farrow
Arthur's kind grandmother whose home is threatened by foreclosure, inspiring Arthur's quest.
Grandpa Archibald
Played by Ron Crawford
Arthur's missing grandfather who discovered the Minimoys and left clues for Arthur to follow.
Mino
Played by Jason Bateman
A loyal Minimoy warrior and ally who helps guide Arthur and the princess.
King
Played by Robert De Niro
The Minimoy king and father of Selenia and Betameche, who initially doubts Arthur.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur lives with his grandmother in rural Connecticut, an imaginative 10-year-old boy obsessed with stories of his missing grandfather's adventures in Africa and the hidden treasure that could save their house from foreclosure.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Developers arrive with papers to seize the property in two days. Arthur realizes he must find his grandfather's hidden treasure immediately or lose his beloved home and garden forever, making his quest suddenly urgent and real.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Arthur and companions are captured by Maltazard's forces. They discover that Maltazard was once a hero who became corrupted, and he reveals he knows where Arthur's grandfather is. The stakes raise dramatically: false defeat as they're imprisoned, and Arthur learns the villain has been manipulating events all along., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arthur discovers his grandfather is trapped in Maltazard's prison, transformed and unable to help. The treasure seems lost, time is running out in both worlds, and Maltazard prepares his final assault on the Minimoy kingdom. Arthur faces potential permanent separation from his family and failure of his quest., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Arthur leads the escape, outsmarts Maltazard using ingenuity rather than strength, locates the treasure (rubies hidden in plain sight), and manages to return to human size just as the deadline approaches. The final confrontation combines action, wit, and heart as Arthur saves both the Minimoy kingdom and his family home., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Arthur and the Invisibles's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Arthur and the Invisibles against these established plot points, we can identify how Luc Besson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Arthur and the Invisibles within the adventure genre.
Luc Besson's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Luc Besson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Arthur and the Invisibles takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Luc Besson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Luc Besson analyses, see The Fifth Element, Anna and The Family.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Arthur lives with his grandmother in rural Connecticut, an imaginative 10-year-old boy obsessed with stories of his missing grandfather's adventures in Africa and the hidden treasure that could save their house from foreclosure.
Theme
Grandmother tells Arthur that "sometimes the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference," establishing the film's central theme about courage coming in all sizes and the power of believing in the impossible.
Worldbuilding
Arthur explores his grandfather's study, discovers clues about the Minimoys (tiny people living in the garden), learns about the family's financial crisis (house will be seized in 48 hours), and pieces together his grandfather's cryptic notes about a hidden treasure and a mysterious miniature world.
Disruption
Developers arrive with papers to seize the property in two days. Arthur realizes he must find his grandfather's hidden treasure immediately or lose his beloved home and garden forever, making his quest suddenly urgent and real.
Resistance
Arthur deciphers his grandfather's clues, learns the ritual to contact the Minimoys, debates whether the tiny people are real or just stories, and prepares the ceremonial process to shrink himself down to their size, racing against the deadline.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Arthur explores the magnificent Minimoy city, learns their customs and dangers, discovers the evil Maltazard threatens their world, and embarks on a quest through the Seven Kingdoms to find the treasure and save both worlds. The "fun and games" of being tiny: riding insects, navigating giant garden obstacles, and experiencing wonder.
Midpoint
Arthur and companions are captured by Maltazard's forces. They discover that Maltazard was once a hero who became corrupted, and he reveals he knows where Arthur's grandfather is. The stakes raise dramatically: false defeat as they're imprisoned, and Arthur learns the villain has been manipulating events all along.
Opposition
Imprisoned in Maltazard's fortress, Arthur faces tests and challenges. Maltazard tightens his grip, reveals the treasure's true location, and demonstrates his power. Arthur's inexperience and impulsiveness create problems. Time in the real world continues ticking toward foreclosure.
Collapse
Arthur discovers his grandfather is trapped in Maltazard's prison, transformed and unable to help. The treasure seems lost, time is running out in both worlds, and Maltazard prepares his final assault on the Minimoy kingdom. Arthur faces potential permanent separation from his family and failure of his quest.
Crisis
Arthur struggles with despair and self-doubt. Has his imagination and belief in stories led everyone to disaster? Selenia and Arthur share a moment of connection. He must process the gap between fantasy and reality, between the heroic stories he loved and the actual courage required.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Arthur leads the escape, outsmarts Maltazard using ingenuity rather than strength, locates the treasure (rubies hidden in plain sight), and manages to return to human size just as the deadline approaches. The final confrontation combines action, wit, and heart as Arthur saves both the Minimoy kingdom and his family home.