Peter Rabbit
Based on the books by Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit (James Corden;) his three sisters: Flopsy (Margot Robbie,) Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cotton Tail (Daisy Ridley) and their cousin Benjamin (Colin Moody) enjoy their days harassing Mr McGregor in his vegetable garden. Until one day he dies and no one can stop them roaming across his house and lands for a full day or so. However, when one of Mr McGregor's relatives inherits the house and goes to check it out, he finds much more than he bargained for. What ensues, is a battle of wills between the new Mr McGregor and the rabbits. But when he starts to fall in love with Bea (Rose Byrne,) a real lover of all nature, his feelings towards them begin to change. But is it too late?
Despite a respectable budget of $50.0M, Peter Rabbit became a massive hit, earning $351.3M worldwide—a remarkable 603% 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%)
Peter Rabbit (2018) reveals carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Will Gluck's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Peter narrates his idyllic life raiding Old Mr. McGregor's garden with his sisters and cousin Benjamin, living wild and free in the Lake District with Bea as their loving neighbor.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Thomas McGregor, the great-nephew, arrives from London to inherit the house. He's a controlling, obsessive neat-freak who immediately declares war on the rabbits and plans to sell the property.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Peter makes an active choice to engage in all-out war with Thomas, moving from simple garden raids to deliberately sabotaging Thomas's relationship with Bea and trying to drive him away permanently., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat During an intense confrontation, Thomas throws a blackberry at Peter, which hits him and triggers his allergy. Peter nearly dies, and though he survives, Bea witnesses Thomas's aggression. False defeat for Thomas as Bea turns against him; false victory for Peter, but he's shaken by the near-death experience., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bea discovers that Peter intentionally caused the chaos to drive Thomas away. She feels betrayed by Peter, her beloved rabbit. She decides to leave the cottage, putting it up for sale. Peter loses his home and Bea's trust - a metaphorical death of innocence and belonging., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Peter realizes he must take responsibility and fix what he broke. He understands that real family means sacrifice and putting others first. He teams up with Thomas (former enemy) to stop Bea from leaving and make things right., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Peter Rabbit'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 Peter Rabbit against these established plot points, we can identify how Will Gluck utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Peter Rabbit within the animation genre.
Will Gluck's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Will Gluck films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Peter Rabbit takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Will Gluck filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Will Gluck analyses, see Friends with Benefits, Easy A and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Peter narrates his idyllic life raiding Old Mr. McGregor's garden with his sisters and cousin Benjamin, living wild and free in the Lake District with Bea as their loving neighbor.
Theme
Bea tells the rabbits a story about acceptance and belonging, saying "Even when you feel most alone, family is always there." This establishes the thematic tension between wildness and belonging.
Worldbuilding
Peter and his family raid the garden in elaborate heists. Old Mr. McGregor chases them but dies of a heart attack. Peter celebrates his victory and the rabbits take over the house and garden completely.
Disruption
Thomas McGregor, the great-nephew, arrives from London to inherit the house. He's a controlling, obsessive neat-freak who immediately declares war on the rabbits and plans to sell the property.
Resistance
Peter debates how to handle Thomas. He tries to scare him away with pranks and raids, but Thomas proves formidable. Bea meets Thomas and is initially charmed. Peter feels threatened by their connection and escalates his efforts.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Peter makes an active choice to engage in all-out war with Thomas, moving from simple garden raids to deliberately sabotaging Thomas's relationship with Bea and trying to drive him away permanently.
Mirror World
Bea and Thomas grow closer as she helps him see beauty in the countryside. Their relationship develops as the thematic counterpoint - representing compromise, growth, and finding family in unexpected places.
Premise
Escalating war between Peter and Thomas with elaborate traps, pranks, and sabotage. The fun "promise of the premise" - creative cartoon violence and slapstick as rabbit and man battle for the garden and Bea's affection.
Midpoint
During an intense confrontation, Thomas throws a blackberry at Peter, which hits him and triggers his allergy. Peter nearly dies, and though he survives, Bea witnesses Thomas's aggression. False defeat for Thomas as Bea turns against him; false victory for Peter, but he's shaken by the near-death experience.
Opposition
Thomas leaves for London in shame. Peter has "won" but feels empty. Bea is sad and withdrawn. Thomas realizes he loves the country life and Bea. Peter's family confronts him about his selfishness. The victory feels hollow as everyone is miserable.
Collapse
Bea discovers that Peter intentionally caused the chaos to drive Thomas away. She feels betrayed by Peter, her beloved rabbit. She decides to leave the cottage, putting it up for sale. Peter loses his home and Bea's trust - a metaphorical death of innocence and belonging.
Crisis
Peter wallows in guilt and grief. He realizes his selfishness cost him everything that mattered. His family comforts him but he must face what he's done. The emotional low point as Peter processes his loss.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Peter realizes he must take responsibility and fix what he broke. He understands that real family means sacrifice and putting others first. He teams up with Thomas (former enemy) to stop Bea from leaving and make things right.
Synthesis
Peter and Thomas work together to reach Bea at the train station. Elaborate chase sequence through London combining Thomas's human skills and Peter's rabbit ingenuity. Peter confesses his mistakes to Bea and takes full responsibility. Thomas also apologizes. The three reconcile.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Peter narrates their life in the garden, but now it's shared peacefully with Thomas and Bea (now married). Peter has grown from selfish to responsible, accepting that true family means compromise and sharing. The wild rabbit has found belonging without losing himself.