The War with Grandpa
Peter is thrilled that his Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves into Peter's room, forcing him upstairs into the creepy attic. And though he loves his Grandpa, he wants his room back - so he has no choice but to declare war.
Despite a moderate budget of $18.0M, The War with Grandpa became a financial success, earning $43.4M worldwide—a 141% 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%)
The War with Grandpa (2020) demonstrates precise narrative design, characteristic of Tim Hill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Ed
Peter
Sally
Arthur
Diane
Jerry
Mia
Jennifer
Main Cast & Characters
Ed
Played by Robert De Niro
A recently widowed grandfather who moves in with his daughter's family and refuses to give up his grandson's bedroom, sparking an escalating prank war.
Peter
Played by Oakes Fegley
A sixth-grader who declares war on his grandfather after being forced to give up his beloved bedroom and move to the attic.
Sally
Played by Uma Thurman
Peter's mother and Ed's daughter, who struggles to balance her love for both her father and son while trying to keep the peace in her household.
Arthur
Played by Rob Riggle
Peter's father and Sally's husband, who tries to maintain order in the chaos while supporting his wife and managing the household dynamics.
Diane
Played by Jane Seymour
Ed's wise and supportive friend who offers him perspective and advice about family relationships and choosing his battles.
Jerry
Played by Christopher Walken
One of Ed's retired friends who helps him strategize pranks and provides comic relief with his enthusiastic participation in the war.
Mia
Played by Laura Marano
Peter's older teenage sister who observes the war with bemused detachment while dealing with her own adolescent concerns.
Jennifer
Played by Poppy Gagnon
Peter's younger sister who sometimes gets caught in the crossfire of the prank war between her brother and grandfather.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Peter Decker enjoys his perfect bedroom and life with his family. He's happy in his space, surrounded by his things and his comfort zone.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when After Grandpa Ed has an accident or incident living alone, the family decides he must move in with them. Peter learns he will have to give up his bedroom and move to the attic.. 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.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Peter writes a formal declaration of war to Grandpa Ed, committing to a series of pranks to reclaim his room. Ed accepts the challenge. The war officially begins - Peter makes an active choice to fight back., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A major prank succeeds spectacularly (false victory) - perhaps Peter pulls off his biggest scheme yet, or the war reaches a new level of intensity. Stakes are raised as both realize this conflict is getting serious. The fun escalates., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (70% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A prank goes too far and causes real harm - possibly someone gets hurt, a precious item is destroyed, or a public humiliation occurs. The family is fractured. Peter and Ed realize they've damaged their relationship and hurt people they love. Whiff of death: the death of family harmony., 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 76% of the runtime. Peter and Ed have a heartfelt conversation where they realize the war was never about the room - it was about feeling respected and valued. They understand each other's perspective. They decide to work together to heal the family and find a real solution., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The War with Grandpa'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 The War with Grandpa against these established plot points, we can identify how Tim Hill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The War with Grandpa within the comedy genre.
Tim Hill's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Tim Hill films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The War with Grandpa takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tim Hill filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Tim Hill analyses, see The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Hop.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Peter Decker enjoys his perfect bedroom and life with his family. He's happy in his space, surrounded by his things and his comfort zone.
Theme
Someone mentions that "family takes care of each other" or discusses the importance of respecting elders while also standing up for yourself - the central thematic tension between family obligation and personal boundaries.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Decker family dynamics, Peter's school life, his friendships, and his relationship with his room. We see Grandpa Ed living alone, struggling after losing his wife, establishing his pride and independence.
Disruption
After Grandpa Ed has an accident or incident living alone, the family decides he must move in with them. Peter learns he will have to give up his bedroom and move to the attic.
Resistance
Peter resists the change, complains to his parents, tries to negotiate alternatives. Ed moves in and settles into Peter's room. Peter explores the dusty, spider-filled attic and feels displaced and disrespected.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Peter writes a formal declaration of war to Grandpa Ed, committing to a series of pranks to reclaim his room. Ed accepts the challenge. The war officially begins - Peter makes an active choice to fight back.
Mirror World
Peter recruits his friends (the "B story" crew) to help him plan pranks. Ed reconnects with his elderly friends who become his advisors. These friendships mirror the theme of loyalty, strategy, and fighting for what matters.
Premise
The promise of the premise: escalating pranks between grandfather and grandson. Peter and his friends execute elaborate schemes; Ed retaliates with his own clever tricks. Both sides score victories and defeats in humorous warfare.
Midpoint
A major prank succeeds spectacularly (false victory) - perhaps Peter pulls off his biggest scheme yet, or the war reaches a new level of intensity. Stakes are raised as both realize this conflict is getting serious. The fun escalates.
Opposition
The pranks intensify and become more dangerous. Parents start noticing the conflict. Collateral damage affects the family. Peter's relationship with his parents strains. Ed faces judgment from his daughter. The war stops being fun.
Collapse
A prank goes too far and causes real harm - possibly someone gets hurt, a precious item is destroyed, or a public humiliation occurs. The family is fractured. Peter and Ed realize they've damaged their relationship and hurt people they love. Whiff of death: the death of family harmony.
Crisis
Peter and Ed separately reflect on what they've done. They face potential consequences from parents. Both feel guilt and regret. Peter misses his grandfather; Ed misses his grandson. They must find a way to make things right.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Peter and Ed have a heartfelt conversation where they realize the war was never about the room - it was about feeling respected and valued. They understand each other's perspective. They decide to work together to heal the family and find a real solution.
Synthesis
Peter and Ed team up to make amends with the family. They demonstrate their renewed bond through a collaborative effort. They find a creative solution that honors both their needs. The family comes together for a celebration or meaningful moment that shows healing.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Peter in his space, but now it's transformed - either he's made peace with the attic, they've created a shared space solution, or the room situation has been resolved. More importantly, Peter and Ed have a close, respectful relationship. Family is whole.