Charlotte's Web
Based on the beloved children's novel by E.B. White, a young girl named Fern rescues a runty piglet, raises it as her own and names him Wilbur. However, after Wilbur grows into a pig, she is compelled to sell him to her Uncle Homer Zuckerman down the street. At Zuckerman's barn, Wilbur meets a host of animals and later learns from them that come winter, he will be slaughtered for food. Fearing for his life, Charlotte, a gentle and wise spider whom befriended the lonely Wilbur, vows to save his life.
Working with a substantial budget of $85.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $149.0M in global revenue (+75% profit margin).
10 wins & 11 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%)
Charlotte's Web (2006) demonstrates meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Gary Winick's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Wilbur
Charlotte
Fern Arable
Templeton
Homer Zuckerman
Main Cast & Characters
Wilbur
Played by Dominic Scott Kay
A young pig saved from slaughter who forms a deep friendship with Charlotte the spider.
Charlotte
Played by Julia Roberts
A wise and compassionate spider who mentors Wilbur and saves his life through her web messages.
Fern Arable
Played by Dakota Fanning
A kind-hearted young girl who saves Wilbur as a runt and advocates for his life.
Templeton
Played by Steve Buscemi
A selfish, gluttonous rat who reluctantly helps Charlotte and Wilbur in exchange for food.
Homer Zuckerman
Played by Gary Basaraba
Fern's uncle and the farmer who owns Wilbur, pragmatic about farm life.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Fern witnesses her father preparing to kill the runt piglet, establishing the farm world where weakness means death and showing Fern's innocent compassion before she learns about loss and mortality.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The old sheep coldly informs Wilbur that he's a spring pig being fattened for slaughter at Christmas, shattering his innocent view of the world and confronting him with his mortality.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Charlotte weaves her first web message "SOME PIG" overnight, and the Zuckermans discover it in the morning, believing it's a miracle - beginning the active plan to save Wilbur through Charlotte's words., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The Zuckermans decide to enter Wilbur in the County Fair, giving him a chance at the blue ribbon that could guarantee his survival - a false victory as the real test and Charlotte's sacrifice still lie ahead., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Charlotte reveals she is dying and cannot return to the farm with Wilbur. The web message "HUMBLE" is complete, but Wilbur loses the blue ribbon to his rival, seemingly failing despite all efforts - a double loss., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Wilbur receives a special award for "attracting so many visitors" - not the blue ribbon, but enough recognition to ensure his survival. He realizes Charlotte's love must be honored by saving her children, choosing to carry on her legacy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Charlotte's Web'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 Charlotte's Web against these established plot points, we can identify how Gary Winick utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Charlotte's Web within the adventure genre.
Gary Winick's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Gary Winick films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Charlotte's Web takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gary Winick filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Gary Winick analyses, see 13 Going on 30, Bride Wars and Letters to Juliet.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Fern witnesses her father preparing to kill the runt piglet, establishing the farm world where weakness means death and showing Fern's innocent compassion before she learns about loss and mortality.
Theme
Fern's mother tells her father "She's going to love it, then it'll be taken away" - stating the central theme about love, loss, and the courage to care despite inevitable mortality.
Worldbuilding
Fern saves and raises Wilbur, forming a deep bond. Wilbur grows and must be sold to the Zuckerman farm. The barnyard community is established with its various animal characters and social dynamics.
Disruption
The old sheep coldly informs Wilbur that he's a spring pig being fattened for slaughter at Christmas, shattering his innocent view of the world and confronting him with his mortality.
Resistance
Wilbur despairs and panics about his fate. The animals debate whether anything can be done. Charlotte the spider introduces herself and promises to save him, though Wilbur is skeptical a spider can help.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Charlotte weaves her first web message "SOME PIG" overnight, and the Zuckermans discover it in the morning, believing it's a miracle - beginning the active plan to save Wilbur through Charlotte's words.
Mirror World
Charlotte and Wilbur's deepening friendship is established as she explains her plan and philosophy. Their relationship carries the theme - she teaches him about true friendship, sacrifice, and finding meaning beyond oneself.
Premise
The "miracle" web messages continue ("TERRIFIC", "RADIANT"). Wilbur becomes famous, visitors flock to the farm, and he enjoys celebrity while Charlotte works tirelessly. The animals collaborate to make Wilbur live up to the words.
Midpoint
The Zuckermans decide to enter Wilbur in the County Fair, giving him a chance at the blue ribbon that could guarantee his survival - a false victory as the real test and Charlotte's sacrifice still lie ahead.
Opposition
At the County Fair, Wilbur faces real competition from a massive rival pig. Charlotte weakens as she weaves "HUMBLE" and prepares her magnum opus. Templeton reluctantly helps gather word inspiration while Charlotte's health deteriorates.
Collapse
Charlotte reveals she is dying and cannot return to the farm with Wilbur. The web message "HUMBLE" is complete, but Wilbur loses the blue ribbon to his rival, seemingly failing despite all efforts - a double loss.
Crisis
Wilbur grieves the impending loss of Charlotte and his apparent failure. Charlotte lays her egg sac, her final act. Wilbur processes that he may die and will definitely lose his best friend - the dark night of accepting mortality and loss.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wilbur receives a special award for "attracting so many visitors" - not the blue ribbon, but enough recognition to ensure his survival. He realizes Charlotte's love must be honored by saving her children, choosing to carry on her legacy.
Synthesis
Wilbur rescues Charlotte's egg sac with Templeton's help and returns to the farm. Charlotte dies alone at the fair. Winter passes, and in spring, Charlotte's children hatch. Most fly away, but three stay to befriend Wilbur, continuing the cycle.
Transformation
Wilbur, now mature and surrounded by Charlotte's daughters, reflects on how "nobody, of the hundreds of people who visited the fair, knew that a grey spider played the most important part of all" - transformed from a scared piglet into someone who understands love, sacrifice, and legacy.