What Is Five Children and It About?
The premise of Five Children and It in 314 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the summer of 1917, the Butterworth children are whisked away from war‑torn London to the sprawling, eclectic estate of their eccentric Uncle Albert. The house, filled with oddities and shadowed by the looming conflict overseas, becomes a strange sanctuary where the siblings—Robert, Cyril, Jane, Anthea and the youngest, the Lamb—must navigate both the comforts of family and the uncertainties of a world at war. Their caretaker, a stern but loyal figure named Horace, adds a note of disciplined order to the otherwise whimsical household.
While exploring a lonely gravel pit near the property, the five stumble upon a peculiar, ancient sand fairy, simply called “It.” The creature’s gruff charm hides a profound generosity: it offers each child a single wish per day, a gift that shimmers into reality only to dissolve with the evening sun. This delicate balance between wonder and impermanence sets the tone for a summer brimming with possibilities, as the children grapple with the allure of instant magic against the backdrop of responsibility and the yearning for normalcy.
The film’s atmosphere blends the quiet melancholy of a wartime era with a bright, almost tactile sense of enchantment. Light plays across the sea‑salted air, and the sand fairy’s presence infuses everyday moments with a gentle surrealism that invites both awe and contemplation. The siblings, each with their own temperament—Robert’s quiet determination, Cyril’s skeptical curiosity, Jane’s bright optimism, Anthea’s thoughtful steadiness, and the Lamb’s innocent exuberance—form a tightly knit unit, their relationships deepening as they test the limits of their newfound power.
As the days unfold, the children learn that every miracle carries a price, and that true magic may lie not in the wishes themselves but in the bonds they forge and the choices they make together. The story promises a whimsical adventure that explores hope, consequence, and the enduring strength of family against a world poised between darkness and light.
What Happens in Five Children and It?
The complete story of Five Children and It, from the first scene to the last, in 918 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
In the summer of 1917, the Butterworth children—Robert [Freddie Highmore], Cyril [Jonathan Bailey], Jane [Poppy Rogers], Anthea [Jessica Claridge] and the Lamb [Alec Muggleton]—whose father [Alex Jennings] has gone to fight in World War I, are evacuated from London to stay with their eccentric Uncle Albert [Kenneth Branagh], his housekeeper Martha [Zoë Wanamaker], and the stern Horace [Alexander Pownall]. The house is full of oddities, and the children quickly discover a locked door in the forbidden greenhouse. When they pry it open, a secret passage leads them to the beach that surrounds the house, where a large shelled creature awaits. It reveals itself to be a sandy, magical being—the sand fairy, simply calling itself “It.”
From the moment It appears, the children are torn between wonder and suspicion, especially Cyril, who questions whether trusting this strange creature is wise. Yet It proves capable of granting wishes, so the kids test its power by wishing that all household chores would be done by magic. The result is instant and chaotic: dozens of exact copies of the children flood the house, merrily performing chores but also wrecking the place in their exuberant, uncontrolled attempt to complete every task on the list. The spectacle ends in a glittering cascade of golden dust as the copies vanish at sunset, leaving the real children to face the mess and the consequences of their wishes.
As they confront the fallout, It explains a core rule: at sunset, all wishes fade away. The children must grapple with the lesson that wishes bring both benefits and trouble, and that ownership of responsibility matters more than a quick fix. With practical needs pressing, they decide they need money to repair the damage, so they once again turn to It for help. They wish for gold, hoping to buy the things they need to mend their broken home. The gold seems to unlock doors to town life, yet it proves unusable in ordinary transactions—shopkeepers refuse it as counterfeit—until a curious car purchase emerges from their fortune. A test drive ends in catastrophe, the vehicle crashing and causing a scene that draws in Mr. Peasemarsh, the irate shopkeeper [John Sessions]. He rails against the supposed theft, and the authorities, along with their aunt, arrive. In a flash, the gold vanishes just before he can reveal it, and the officers, doubting his tale, take him away as a madman.
Meanwhile, Horace grows increasingly suspicious of the children’ secrecy and traps them in a locked room to force confession. Robert, who was away when the trap was sprung, seeks out It for help and asks for wings so the siblings can reach their father in France. The other children burst from their confinement using their new wings, and Horace, realizing they are missing, finally opens the door to discover the escape. The siblings take to the skies, gliding over the coastline, but danger lurks as German zeppelins menace their flight. With sunset nearing, the wings begin to fail, and the children fear a fall into the sea. It intervenes, appearing in the clouds and guiding them back to the shore with a helpful gust.
Back on the beach, their mother returns to find out that their father has gone missing as well. That night, Robert speaks with It and falls asleep beside the sand fairy on the shore. Horace, still curious and suspicious, traps It’s friend and spirit in his basement, intending to dissect It to uncover the mechanics of its magic. The next morning, Robert confronts Horace but hesitates to take decisive action, so the two craft a plan that shifts the power dynamic. Horace’s fossilized dinosaur egg is given a chance to hatch when he wishes for something instead, and the resulting creature looms over them, threatening to devour the children. It makes the dinosaur vanish, leaving Horace frightened and fainting while Robert helps him to safety. The siblings, meanwhile, focus on bringing their father home, wishing for his return. Their father appears briefly on the beach, but his presence again vanishes with the arrival of sunset, leaving the children devastated and aching for their dad.
In the wake of these ordeals, the family begins to rebuild trust. Horace, surprised by the hidden truth behind It, starts to accept the connection between the children and the mysterious creature. The children choose to share the secret of It among themselves, strengthening their bond and understanding that they must work together rather than rely on magical shortcuts. On It’s birthday, they offer wishes for Its future and prepare to return to their lives. A breakdown in their car forces them to stay at the house a while longer, and a game of hide-and-seek spirals into a poignant moment when their father reappears during the game. The joyous revelation confirms that he is indeed back, but his presence is brief, as sunset soon arrives and he vanishes again. The family, now united, finds solace in each other and the decision to guard It’s existence as a shared secret.
The story closes with a sense of lasting friendship and a hint of possibility: if It ever returns, a sequel titled “It and Five Children” is imagined in a playful post-credits moment. The Butterworths, having endured danger, doubt, and wonder, prepare to move forward together, carrying the lessons of power, responsibility and the true meaning of family. The tale blends whimsy with the gravity of a world at war, offering a timeless message about resilience, loyalty, and the magic that hides in unexpected places.
Five Children and It Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Evacuation to Uncle Albert's seaside home” to “It’s birthday, a breakdown, and a moment with Dad”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Evacuation to Uncle Albert's seaside home
In the summer of 1917, the Butterworth children are evacuated from London to stay with their eccentric Uncle Albert by the coast. They travel away from the war-torn city and begin adjusting to life at his seaside house.
When:Summer 1917 Where:Uncle Albert's seaside house
- 2
Discovery of the locked greenhouse door
The children explore the greenhouse on the property and discover a locked door. Curiosity compels them to pry it open, revealing a hidden passage.
When:Shortly after arrival, Summer 1917 Where:Greenhouse, Uncle Albert's house
- 3
The secret passage to the beach and the sand fairy
The hidden passage opens onto a beach that surrounds the house. A sandy, magical being emerges and identifies itself as It.
When:Same day, Summer 1917 Where:Beach surrounding the house
- 4
First wishes and chaos
It offers to grant wishes, and the children test its power by wishing the chores would be done magically. Dozens of identical copies flood the house, merrily completing tasks but wrecking the place in their exuberance.
When:That evening, Summer 1917 Where:House
- 5
Sunset, the rule about fading wishes
It explains a core rule: at sunset, all wishes fade away. The copies vanish as the sun sinks, leaving the real children to deal with the mess and consequences.
When:Sunset, Day 1 Where:House
- 6
Wishing for gold to repair the home
With their home still in need of repairs, the children turn to It for help and wish for gold. The gold seems to unlock doors to town life, but it cannot be used in ordinary transactions.
When:After the first incident, days later Where:House and town
- 7
Gold’s misadventure and the car crash
The fortune leads to a shopping trip and a test drive that ends in a crash, drawing the irate shopkeeper Mr. Peasemarsh into a confrontation. The gold vanishes before he can reveal it, and authorities take him away as a madman.
When:Soon after the car purchase Where:Town and shop
- 8
Horace's suspicion and trapping It
Horace becomes suspicious of the children's secrecy and traps It’s friend It in his basement to dissect its magic. The siblings must contend with the risk while trying to hide the truth.
When:Following the incident with the gold Where:Horace's basement
- 9
Wings to reach their father
Robert asks It for wings to reach their father in France, and the others burst from confinement using their new wings as they escape toward the coastline.
When:Night after confinement Where:Between the house and the coast
- 10
Flight over the coast and looming danger
The siblings soar along the coast, but German zeppelins threaten their flight. As sunset approaches, the wings begin to fail, and It appears to guide them back to shore.
When:Approaching sunset Where:Coastal skies and shore
Show the other 5 events of Five Children and It Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Father missing and a fragile return
Back on the beach, their mother returns to find their father missing. The next morning, Robert confides in It and they prepare to bring him home.
When:Morning after the flight Where:Beach and home
- 12
The dinosaur egg and the danger it brings
Horace's fossilized dinosaur egg is given a chance to hatch when he makes a new wish, unleashing a threatening creature. It makes the dinosaur vanish, leaving Horace frightened.
When:Following morning Where:Horace's basement and the house
- 13
A glimpse of Dad again and the sunset
The siblings wish for their father to return, and he appears briefly on the beach, only to vanish again at sunset. The sense of loss deepens.
When:That evening Where:Beach
- 14
Rebuilding trust and keeping It a secret
The family begins to rebuild trust and agrees to share the secret of It among themselves. They understand they must work together rather than rely on magical shortcuts.
When:After the father's vanishing Where:House
- 15
It’s birthday, a breakdown, and a moment with Dad
On the sand fairy's birthday, the children offer wishes for Its future. A car breakdown traps them at home, and during a game of hide-and-seek, their father reappears briefly.
When:Later Where:House and beach
Who Are the Main Characters in Five Children and It?
13 characters, among them Robert Butterworth (Freddie Highmore), Cyril Butterworth (Jonathan Bailey) and Jane Butterworth (Poppy Rogers): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Robert Butterworth (Freddie Highmore)
Played by Freddie Highmore
The oldest of the Butterworth siblings, Robert plays the pragmatic, protective role. He drives the decision to seek help from It and to find a way to bring their father home. He weighs risk against duty, guiding his siblings through the day-to-day chaos of magical mishaps while learning the weight of responsibility.
- 🧭 Protective
- 🧠 Resourceful
- 🗝️ Leader
- CB
Cyril Butterworth (Jonathan Bailey)
Played by Jonathan Bailey
Cyril is skeptical and wary of the unknown, often questioning whether trusting It is wise. He challenges the others to consider potential dangers and the long-term costs of shortcuts. His cautious nature acts as a counterbalance to the more impulsive impulses of his siblings.
- 🕵️♂️ Skeptical
- 🧭 Wary
- 🤔 Thoughtful
- JB
Jane Butterworth (Poppy Rogers)
Played by Poppy Rogers
Jane is curious and imaginative, drawn to the wonder of It and the magical possibilities it offers. She participates with her siblings in testing wishes and in coping with the consequences. Her perspective helps the family reconnect with a sense of wonder amid hardship.
- 🪄 Curious
- ✨ Imaginative
- 🫶 Loyal
- AB
Anthea Butterworth (Jessica Claridge)
Played by Jessica Claridge
Anthea complements her siblings with practical optimism, helping navigate the fallout from the wishwork. She supports her brothers and sisters as they face the chaos created by their desires. Her restraint and empathy keep the family together when It’s magic spirals out of control.
- 🧡 Compassionate
- 🎯 Practical
- 🧭 Steady
- LB
Lamb Butterworth (Alec Muggleton)
Played by Alec Muggleton
Lamb is the youngest, bringing innocence and a sense of curiosity to the adventure. He shares in the wonder of It and the family’s efforts to stay safe, while learning about the responsibilities that come with power.
- 👶 Youngest
- 🧸 Playful
- 🧭 Curious
- LB
Lamb Butterworth (Zak Muggleton)
Played by Zak Muggleton
A second child actor playing Lamb, mirroring the same traits of innocence and wonder as his sibling. He participates in the family’s collective experience of magical mishaps and their eventual path toward responsibility.
- 👶 Youngest
- 🧸 Playful
- 🧭 Curious
-
Uncle Albert (Kenneth Branagh)
Played by Kenneth Branagh
Uncle Albert is the eccentric but loving guardian who welcomes the children to his house. His curiosity and warmth contrast with Horace’s sternness, providing a space where magic and family life intersect. He becomes a pivotal figure in the children’s adjustment to wartime displacement.
- 🧔 Eccentric
- ❤️ Caring
- 🕳️ Mysterious
- M(
Martha (Zoë Wanamaker)
Played by Zoë Wanamaker
Martha runs the household with firm routines and a fond concern for the children. She balances suspicion of the strange goings-on with warmth and practicality, helping to keep the house and the children safe. She represents the everyday stability of adult presence during upheaval.
- 🏠 Caregiver
- 🧭 Steady
- 👒 Proper
- H(
Horace (Alexander Pownall)
Played by Alexander Pownall
Horace is the stern, curious neighbor who mistrusts the children’s secrecy and mistakes It for a threat to be studied. His obsession with control and order leads him to trap It in the basement, risking dangerous consequences. He embodies the tension between skepticism and fear of the unknown.
- 🧭 Skeptic
- 🧪 Inquisitive
- 🛑 Controlling
-
Father (Alex Jennings)
Played by Alex Jennings
The Butterworth father is away fighting in World War I, creating the emotional pull of home and safety that drives the children. He reappears briefly in their attempts to reach him, but his presence is fleeting due to the sunset rule of It’s magic. His absence underscores the family’s reliance on one another.
- 👨✈️ Absent
- ❤️ Paternal
- 🪖 War-time
-
Mother (Tara Fitzgerald)
Played by Tara Fitzgerald
The children's mother returns to the seaside house, contributing to the family’s sense of normalcy amid extraordinary events. Her presence anchors the emotional core of the story, as the children’s adventures ultimately lead to a reunited family. She embodies resilience in wartime life.
- 👩👧👦 Maternal
- 🫶 Supportive
- 🕊️ Reassuring
-
It (Eddie Izzard)
Played by Eddie Izzard
The sandy, magical It appears as a benevolent trickster who can grant wishes but also imposes a fundamental rule: at sunset, all wishes fade. It guides the children through lessons about power, responsibility, and the value of family. Its playful, enigmatic nature drives many of the film’s conflicts and resolutions.
- ✨ Enigmatic
- 🪄 Beneficent
- 🌀 Capricious
- MP
Mr. Peasemarsh (John Sessions)
Played by John Sessions
Mr. Peasemarsh is the irate shopkeeper who confronts the children over the gold they obtain through wishes. His confrontation escalates the tension and underscores the social perceptions of theft during wartime. He serves as a foil to the children’s misadventures.
- 🛒 Shopkeeper
- 🗣️ Confrontational
- 🧭 Exasperated
Where and When Is Five Children and It Set?
Five Children and It is set in London, England, Butterworths' seaside country house and France (Summer 1917). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Summer 1917
Set during World War I in the summer of 1917, the story follows evacuated children and their guardian as the war looms over their home. The period is defined by parental absence as their father fights abroad, and the family seeks normal life amid extraordinary events. The magical bargains with It reveal how wishes carry both benefits and consequences in a fragile wartime world.
Where
London, England, Butterworths' seaside country house, France
During the summer of 1917, the Butterworth children are evacuated from London to their eccentric Uncle Albert's seaside house. The home sits beside a sandy beach that hosts the magical sand fairy It, accessible through a locked greenhouse door. The setting blends wartime Britain with a domestic, seaside backdrop that becomes the playground and battleground for wishes.
- 🏖️ Coastal setting
- 🕰️ Wartime evacuation
- ✨ Magical realism
What Are the Themes of Five Children and It?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power & Responsibility, Family & Trust and Imagination.
-
01
Power & Responsibility
The children learn that granting wishes comes with limits and responsibility. It’s easy to wish for quick fixes, but the outcomes are chaotic and demand accountability. The story uses magical power to test whether young characters can steward consequences instead of escaping them. Those choices shape their growth and family bonds.
-
02
Family & Trust
The siblings rely on each other to navigate danger, secrecy, and the moral questions raised by It. Trust is earned slowly as they confront the consequences of their wishes and the suspicions of Horace. The film emphasizes loyalty, shared secrets, and collective resilience as their father’s absence tests their unity.
-
03
Imagination
Imagination fuels the adventure, giving the children a way to cope with war and separation. The magical creature It converts ordinary chores into spectacle, while reminding them that imagination must coexist with responsibility. The fantasy ultimately serves as a catalyst for personal and familial growth rather than a mere escape.
What Kind of Film Is Five Children and It?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A whimsical and heartfelt adventure that uses magical wishes to explore themes of childhood wonder, family separation during war, and the bittersweet lessons of growing up.
- whimsical
- hopeful
- nostalgic
- heartfelt
- playful
- wistful
- magic
- family bonds
- wartime separation
- consequences of wishes
Content notes: child endangerment, wartime peril.
Quiz
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