Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
A teenager finds himself transported to an island where he must help protect a group of orphans with special powers from creatures intent on destroying them.
Despite a considerable budget of $110.0M, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children became a financial success, earning $296.5M worldwide—a 170% return.
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%)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) showcases deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Tim Burton's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jake as an isolated teen working at his family's drugstore, socially awkward and disconnected from his peers. His only real connection is to his grandfather Abe, whose fantastical stories about peculiar children he no longer fully believes.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Jake finds his grandfather dying in the woods behind his house, eyes removed, whispering cryptic final words about "the bird" and the island. Jake glimpses a horrifying creature - a Hollowgast - that no one else can see.. 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.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Jake learns the terrible truth: Hollowgasts are hunting peculiars to consume their eyes and become human again as Wights. Barron, disguised as Dr. Golan, has been manipulating Jake all along to find the time loop. The stakes become life and death., 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, The time loop is broken and the children are trapped in the present day, vulnerable to aging. Miss Peregrine is captured and cannot reset the loop. The home that protected them for decades is destroyed, and they face mortality for the first time., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Epic battle at Blackpool pier where each peculiar child uses their abilities in concert. Jake confronts and defeats Barron, rescuing Miss Peregrine. They reverse the experiment on the captured Ymbrynes. Jake says goodbye to his father and chooses the peculiar world., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children against these established plot points, we can identify how Tim Burton utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children within the fantasy genre.
Tim Burton's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Tim Burton films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tim Burton filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Tim Burton analyses, see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleepy Hollow and Dark Shadows.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jake as an isolated teen working at his family's drugstore, socially awkward and disconnected from his peers. His only real connection is to his grandfather Abe, whose fantastical stories about peculiar children he no longer fully believes.
Theme
Abe tells Jake: "I'm not crazy. And neither are you." The theme of finding where you truly belong and embracing what makes you different, even when others think you're strange.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Jake's mundane Florida life: his skeptical parents, dead-end job, therapy sessions for anxiety, and his deep bond with grandfather Abe. Abe's stories of peculiar children, time loops, and monsters called Hollowgasts are revealed through old photographs.
Disruption
Jake finds his grandfather dying in the woods behind his house, eyes removed, whispering cryptic final words about "the bird" and the island. Jake glimpses a horrifying creature - a Hollowgast - that no one else can see.
Resistance
Jake struggles with trauma and visions, seeing his therapist Dr. Golan who suggests visiting the Welsh island from Abe's stories for closure. Jake's father reluctantly agrees to take him. They travel to Cairnholm Island where locals are dismissive of the old children's home.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Jake explores the wonder of the peculiar children's world: meeting invisible Millard, super-strong Bronwyn, fire-starter Olive, plant-manipulator Fiona, prophetic twins, and others. Miss Peregrine explains the time loop protecting them. Jake discovers he shares Abe's ability to see and fight Hollowgasts.
Midpoint
Jake learns the terrible truth: Hollowgasts are hunting peculiars to consume their eyes and become human again as Wights. Barron, disguised as Dr. Golan, has been manipulating Jake all along to find the time loop. The stakes become life and death.
Opposition
Jake must choose between his old life and the peculiar world. Barron and his Wights launch their attack. Miss Peregrine is captured along with other Ymbrynes. Jake's father searches for him in the present day, creating dual timeline pressure.
Collapse
The time loop is broken and the children are trapped in the present day, vulnerable to aging. Miss Peregrine is captured and cannot reset the loop. The home that protected them for decades is destroyed, and they face mortality for the first time.
Crisis
The children despair over their situation until Jake rallies them. He embraces his peculiarity fully and convinces them to fight back. They plan to rescue Miss Peregrine and the other Ymbrynes from Barron's lair at Blackpool.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Epic battle at Blackpool pier where each peculiar child uses their abilities in concert. Jake confronts and defeats Barron, rescuing Miss Peregrine. They reverse the experiment on the captured Ymbrynes. Jake says goodbye to his father and chooses the peculiar world.