Clifford 1994

Comedy

Rank

#9,894

Box Office

$7.4M

Runtime

89 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Paul Flaherty

Made by

Orion Pictures

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Clifford Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Clifford (1994). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Father Clifford Daniels Martin Short is a kindly-looking priest at a Catholic school in 2050 who sits down with Roger to share a long memory that explains his own misadventures as a child. In the 1990s, the young Clifford is loud, irritating, and stubborn, clutching a toy dinosaur named Steffen and dreaming of a place called Dinosaur World in Los Angeles. A flight with his parents turns chaotic when he deliberately causes an emergency landing in Los Angeles, caught up in a reckless streak that will echo through the story.

Clifford’s tale shifts to his family history: his father Julien Daniels is a hard-driving businessman, and his uncle Martin Daniels [Charles Grodin] is a famous architect who works for Gerald Ellis [Dabney Coleman]. Martin hopes to marry his coworker, Sarah Davis [Mary Steenburgen], even though she longs for a family. Cliff’s misbehaving ways threaten to derail everyone’s plans, and Julian phones Martin to arrange a temporary guardianship for Clifford in Los Angeles. Martin, eager to prove his ability to connect with kids, believes this is his chance to win Sarah’s approval, unaware of how deeply Clifford’s antics will entangle them all.

At a gas station, Clifford’s schemes backfire when he tries to sneak away disguised as another boy’s son, and Martin catches him. The planned Dinosaur World trip is canceled, but Clifford’s power to disrupt remains intact. The boy’s provocations escalate, leading to a stunt during Sarah’s parents’ wedding anniversary that lands Martin in trouble after Clifford engineers a fake bomb threat to City Hall by manipulating Martin’s message on an answering machine. Released on bail, Martin confronts Clifford, insisting on a genuine confession, and the cycle of manipulation and punishment continues.

Clifford masterminds a plan to lure Martin onto a train bound for San Francisco, hoping to separate the couple and push the Dinosaur World visit back into play. Meanwhile, Sarah travels with Ellis’s orders to seduce her way into a new partnership, but Clifford’s schemes persist, including a party at home that attracts strangers and promises a ride to Dinosaur World as the reward. When Martin returns, he finds Clifford tied up in his room; Sarah eventually frees him and takes him away, complicating Martin’s life even further.

The feud peaks when Martin arrives late to Ellis’s transit presentation, only to discover the city model rigged by Clifford; the dramatic model explodes, costing Martin his job and throwing him into a rage about the consequences of Clifford’s rebellious impulse. Desperate, Martin abducts Clifford after hours and drags him to Dinosaur World, where he forces the boy onto Larry the Scary Rex. The ride speeds up, and a malfunction leaves Clifford dangling inches from the mechanical jaws of the dinosaur. Martin rants about the damage caused, yet he risks his life to pull Clifford to safety. The moment of crisis shifts their relationship, but Martin’s harsh judgment lingers as Clifford’s fear and guilt begin to crystallize.

Back with Roger, Father Clifford recounts how devastating it was to hear those words and to face the truth of his own behavior. He describes writing 287 apology letters to Martin, all of which were returned unopened. When Roger asks about Sarah, Clifford reveals that she and Martin eventually married, and he attended their wedding as the ring bearer. In a final gesture of forgiveness, Sarah helps bridge the old wounds, and Martin forgives Clifford with a kiss on the head.

Moved by the story, Roger resolves to follow Clifford’s example and write 287 letters seeking forgiveness himself. As the tale closes, Father Clifford withdraws Steffen from his pocket and mutters, “Mission accomplished, old friend,” signaling a quiet victory through understanding, reconciliation, and a renewed faith in the power of apology.

If you destroy everyone who stands in the way of your dreams, then you’ll end up alone with no dreams left.

Clifford Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Clifford (1994) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Roger's gym incident and pursuit

In 2050, at a Catholic school, Roger runs away after blowing up the gym because he was not allowed on the basketball team. Father Clifford Daniels witnesses the escape and decides to tell Roger a story about his own youth. This opening event sets the frame for the moral and narrative journey that follows.

2050 Catholic school

Clifford as a 10-year-old in Los Angeles

As a 10-year-old in the 1990s, Clifford is portrayed as an obnoxious and whiny child who never lets go of his toy dinosaur Steffen and dreams of visiting Dinosaur World, a theme park in Los Angeles. He clings to his imagination and resists attempts to discipline him. This childhood depiction foreshadows the conflicts that drive the adult storyline.

1990s Los Angeles

Emergency landing in Los Angeles

During a family flight to Honolulu, Clifford's antics provoke the pilot to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles. The disruption becomes the catalyst that brings Clifford into contact with his uncle Martin. This moment anchors the future consequences of his mischief.

1990s Los Angeles

Clifford stays with Uncle Martin

Julian, Clifford's father, phones his brother Martin to arrange for Clifford to stay with him in Los Angeles. Martin hopes to prove he can handle children and win Sarah Davis's approval as a future spouse. He agrees, unaware of the chaos ahead.

1990s Los Angeles

Larry the Scary Rex and a free Dinosaur World trip

Martin reveals he designed Larry the Scary Rex for Dinosaur World and can secure free entry. He promises to take Clifford there but must break the plan because Ellis wants him to redesign the transit system in two days. Clifford's excitement clashes with the looming deadline.

1990s Los Angeles

Gas station attempt and trip cancellation

At a gas station, Clifford tries to slip away by posing as someone else's son in a dinosaur costume, but Martin catches him. Martin then informs Clifford that the Dinosaur World trip is canceled. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.

1990s Gas station

Pranks and the bomb-threat arrest

Enraged, Clifford humiliates Martin during Sarah's parents' wedding anniversary with several pranks. Clifford calls in a fake bomb threat to city hall, using audio from Martin, and Martin is arrested. He is released on bail, and Clifford is scolded to write a confession to the police.

1990s City hall / wedding venue

Luring Martin to San Francisco

Clifford tricks Martin into chasing a train to San Francisco, where Sarah has traveled at Ellis's request to pursue her. The scheme pulls Martin away from his obligations and deepens the rift between him and Clifford. The plan demonstrates Clifford's growing manipulative cunning.

1990s San Francisco

Party for a Dinosaur World ticket

Back at Martin's home, Clifford hosts a party for strangers in exchange for a trip to Dinosaur World. The stunt is an attempt to secure the coveted ride and to showcase his ability to orchestrate excitement. The party spirals into a chaotic but revealing moment.

1990s Martin's home

Clifford is restrained and rescued

Martin returns to find Clifford tied up in his room; Sarah frees him and takes him with her, signaling a temporary shift in control. The episode underscores the consequences of Clifford's reckless behavior. It also foreshadows a pivotal confrontation.

1990s Martin's home

Transit model sabotage and job loss

Martin arrives late to Ellis's presentation of the new transit system, and the city model, rigged by Clifford, explodes. The catastrophe costs Martin his job and crystallizes the personal and professional ruin caused by Clifford's actions. The moment marks a severe turning point for Martin's character.

1990s Ellis's presentation site

Dinosaur World ride gone wrong

A now psychotic Martin kidnaps Clifford from Sarah's house and takes him to Dinosaur World after hours, forcing him to ride Larry the Scary Rex. After the first ride, Clifford seems to enjoy himself, so Martin increases the speed until the ride malfunctions. Clifford is left dangling above the jaws of a robotic dinosaur while Martin rants about the cost of Clifford's mischief, only to eventually rescue him.

1990s Dinosaur World

Letters of apology

Father Clifford reveals that he was devastated by Martin's words and sent 287 apology letters to him, all of which were returned unopened. He uses this memory to illustrate the cycle of regret and the search for forgiveness. The episode anchors the present-day moral lesson.

2050 Present day

Sarah and Martin's forgiveness

Clifford reveals that Sarah and Martin were married and that he was invited as the ring bearer. Through a gesture from Sarah, Martin finally forgives Clifford and gives him a kiss on the head. The moment offers a resolution to the central family conflict.

2050 Present day

Roger's forgiveness ritual

Moved by the tale, Roger decides to write 287 letters asking for forgiveness. Father Clifford takes Steffen out of his pocket and declares the mission accomplished, signaling a hopeful new chapter. The closing moment ties back to the dinosaur companion who has witnessed the journey.

2050 Present day

Clifford Characters

Explore all characters from Clifford (1994). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Clifford Daniels (Martin Short)

An elderly priest who narrates his youth to Roger. As a 10-year-old in the 1990s, he is a stubborn, toy-obsessed boy whose antics test family and community. His journey intersects with Dinosaur World and his uncle’s schemes, leading to a moral awakening.

🎭 Complex ✝️ Faith 🧭 Moral

Martin Daniels (Charles Grodin)

Clifford’s uncle, a renowned architect whose ambition to impress leads to conflicts with family and friends. His professional success becomes entangled with personal failures, setting the stage for consequences and potential reconciliation.

🎭 Ambitious 🏗️ Creative 💼 Professional

Sarah Davis (Mary Steenburgen)

Martin’s coworker and Clifford’s mother figure, who longs for a family and ultimately becomes part of the married couple’s dynamic. Her presence anchors emotional stakes and drives key decisions.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 💼 Professional 💖 Love

Julien Daniels (Richard Kind)

Clifford’s father; his business trips and expectations influence the family’s trajectory. He plays a central role in the tension between Clifford and Martin and is part of the eventual reconciliation.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 💼 Professional 🗺️ Travel

Gerald Ellis (Dabney Coleman)

A powerful figure behind the city’s transit plans who becomes a foil to Martin’s ambitions. His influence escalates the stakes, highlighting how authority can shape personal fortunes.

🏢 Authority 💼 Power 🧭 Influence

Roger

The boy Clifford coerces and mentors, serving as the emotional catalyst for the tale’s discussion of forgiveness and growth. His decision to write forgiveness letters frames the film’s moral arc.

👦 Curious 🙏 Learning 🧭 Moral

Larry the Scary Rex

The centerpiece ride at Dinosaur World that becomes a crucible for Clifford and Martin’s conflict before ultimately symbolizing fear, risk, and redemption.

🎢 Adventure 🦖 Theme Park 🌀 Danger

Clifford Settings

Learn where and when Clifford (1994) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1990s, 2050

The plot toggles between Clifford’s 1990s childhood and a 2050-present frame in which he is an elderly priest recounting those events. The 1990s segments capture a city of big dreams and mischievous pranks, while the 2050 timeline grounds the tale in reflection, moral lessons, and redemption.

Location

Los Angeles, Honolulu, Catholic school (2050)

The story moves between Los Angeles and Honolulu, with a pivotal scene inside a Catholic school in 2050. Dinosaur World serves as a focal point in LA, drawing Clifford’s imagination into a larger battle between dreams and consequences. The narrative weaves through these urban spaces, highlighting how place shapes ambition, family, and forgiveness.

🎬 Urban setting 🗺️ Travel 🕰️ Time-jump

Clifford Themes

Discover the main themes in Clifford (1994). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🕊️

Forgiveness

The narrative centers on seeking and granting forgiveness, culminating in reconciliation between Clifford and Martin. Father Clifford’s retelling emphasizes admitting fault and choosing mercy over bitterness. The pursuit of 287 apology letters symbolizes the healing power of forgiveness and the chance to mend broken bonds.

👨‍👩‍👦

Family

Family ties propel the drama—from youthful defiance to adult loyalties and responsibilities. The relationships among Clifford, Martin, Sarah, and Julian reveal how love, pride, and misunderstanding ripple across generations. Despite clashes, the family ultimately strives for connection and understanding.

🏗️

Ambition

Martin’s drive to prove himself collides with the chaos Clifford creates, risking career and reputation. The city’s transit project and public ambitions expose how pride can distort judgment and strain personal relationships. The story ultimately uses ambition as a catalyst for humility and redemption.

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Clifford Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Clifford (1994). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a near‑future Los Angeles where sleek design and nostalgic dreams collide, a single family‑call sets a quiet suburban home buzzing with possibility. When Martin Daniels, a celebrated architect known for shaping the city’s most ambitious projects, is asked to look after his brother’s young son, the arrangement quickly becomes more than a simple favor. The house, already humming with the promise of freshly drawn blueprints, now feels the restless energy of a child who refuses to settle for anything less than wonder.

Clifford arrives with an irrepressible imagination, clutching a beloved toy dinosaur and obsessively talking about a legendary theme park that seems to exist somewhere between childhood myth and engineered reality. Sarah Davis, a poised professional who dreams of building a family of her own, is drawn into the mix, her pragmatic outlook gently challenged by the boy’s boundless curiosity. The trio’s interactions blend sharp wit, tender missteps, and a playful tug‑of‑war between adult responsibility and youthful rebellion, establishing a tone that is at once comedic and emotionally resonant.

As the days unfold, the household becomes a microcosm of larger questions about ambition, connection, and the price of trying to please everyone. Martin’s desire to prove himself, Clifford’s unquenchable yearning for adventure, and Sarah’s search for belonging set the stage for an inter‑generational showdown that promises both chaos and unexpected growth. The film balances bright, kinetic humor with quieter moments of reflection, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go to protect dreams and whether forgiveness can bridge the gaps left by well‑intended missteps.

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