What Is Here Come the Littles About?
The premise of Here Come the Littles in 305 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet outskirts of a bustling town, a young boy named Henry finds his world turned upside‑down when his parents disappear on an archaeological expedition in Africa. Sent to live under the watchful eye of Uncle Augustus, the sprawling family home feels more like a waiting room for an inevitable change, its future hanging in the balance as whispers of development stir in the air. The housekeeper, Mrs. Evans, offers a comforting presence, but the looming presence of a strict guardian casts a shadow over Henry’s newfound routine.
Behind the plaster and woodwork, however, another society thrives in secret. Tiny, elf‑like beings called the Littles have made the walls their home, where Grandpa Little watches over the mischievous yet endearing siblings Tom and Lucy. Their world is a blend of wonder and resourcefulness, populated by clever inventions, secret passages, and even a wary cat whose initial hostility softens under their gentle care. The contrast between the human expanse and the diminutive realm creates a whimsical, almost magical atmosphere that pulses through every creak of the old house.
As Henry begins to sense that the walls are more alive than he ever imagined, a tentative friendship forms between him and the Littles. Their shared curiosity and courage spark a quiet alliance, hinting at a deeper connection that bridges the gap between size and age. Together, they explore the mysteries of the house, discovering that bravery can come in the smallest packages.
Yet the peace of the home is fragile. Uncle Augustus harbors ambitions that could reshape the very foundation of the property, threatening to replace the cherished dwelling with something entirely different. The stage is set for a gentle clash of worlds—human and tiny—where ingenuity, compassion, and a touch of daring may be the only things standing between the beloved house and an uncertain future.
What Happens in Here Come the Littles?
The complete story of Here Come the Littles, from the first scene to the last, in 694 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Henry Bigg [Jimmy Keegan] learns that his parents have been lost during an archaeological trip to Africa, though the remains of their aircraft have been found. His housekeeper, Mrs. Evans [Mona Marshall], explains that Augustus is his legal guardian. The reveal sets Henry on edge, but the home itself hides a far smaller drama—two tiny people living inside the walls.
Inside Henry’s house, Tom Little [Donavan Freberg] and Lucy Little [Bettina Bush] move with quiet purpose. They snatch an apple that Mrs. Evans had left for Henry, and the gesture earns them a surprising repayment: they locate his lucky rabbit’s foot and tuck it into his suitcase. A misstep of fate carries them to Augustus’ residence, trapped inside Henry’s luggage, where they’re soon found by Grandpa Little [Alvy Moore] and Dinky Little [Robert David Hall], two Littles who quickly recognize Augustus’ true nature.
Henry moves to Augustus’ mansion, and Mrs. Evans notes that she cannot stay—Augustus does not want a housekeeper. Augustus pretends to be welcoming in front of Mrs. Evans, but once she’s gone, he drops the mask and treats Henry as if he were a burden, insisting he won’t tolerate any crying as he shepherds the boy to his room. The Littles learn that Augustus is not merely stern but calculating: he intends to replace Henry’s family home with a shopping mall and reshape the property to his own gain.
From pen to paper, the Littles uncover a carefully staged con. Augustus has forged documents to establish himself as Henry’s guardian and to pave the way for the demolition of the Biggs’ property. Henry, initially unaware of who he has found, encounters Grandpa [Alvy Moore] and Dinky [Robert David Hall] in his study and realizes these visitors are more than meets the eye. The villain’s schemes begin to crumble when the Littles reveal the fraud, but Augustus acts fast, locking the two new “toys” in a desk drawer to prevent discovery.
A daring rescue unfolds. Lucy persuades Tom to speak openly to Henry—a bold move given that humans had not known the Littles existed until recently. Henry’s growing trust in his tiny allies becomes the key to unveiling the truth. The two Littles, along with Henry, piece together Augustus’ plan and the evidence of forgery, and Henry orchestrates a diversion that buys time for Tom [Donavan Freberg] and Lucy [Bettina Bush] to slip free and save Grandpa [Alvy Moore] and Dinky [Robert David Hall].
Yet danger remains. Lucy and Tom are soon hungry, and Tom finds himself trapped in a jar of honey, forcing the Littles to shift priorities: they must save Henry before they can rescue Tom. Grandpa resists at first but agrees, recognizing that Henry has begun to trust them in a way that changes everything.
With the stakes higher, the Littles launch a daring escape aboard a gas-powered toy plane. The flight triggers a garage fire that wakes Augustus, who wakes to the upheaval in his meticulously ordered world. Henry tries to reach the police station, but the pursuit ends with him getting lost and captured by his uncle, while the Littles work to stall Augustus long enough for Henry to reach safety.
Augustus, sensing his window closing, orders a demolition crew to tear down the Biggs’ house. When the Littles finally reach Henry’s home again, they split up to tackle the threat from multiple angles: Grandpa searches for Mr. and Mrs. Little, while Lucy, Tom, and the others sabotage the bulldozer. Their plans align in a tense, near-miss moment, allowing Henry to reach a police officer just as Augustus arrives.
The law closes in on Augustus: the officer arrests him for illegal destruction of private property, forgery, and child abuse. Henry is joyfully reunited with Mrs. Evans, and a larger miracle unfolds as his long-lost parents are rediscovered and headed to the airport. Henry shares a knowing wink with the Littles from the gate, a small celebration of the new balance between the human world and the world living just beyond the walls. The Littles, ever-watchful, remain nearby, ready to watch over the boy who now understands that friendship, courage, and a little cleverness can change a life.
Here Come the Littles Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Henry learns his parents are lost” to “Reunion at the airport”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Henry learns his parents are lost
Henry Bigg learns that his parents are presumed lost after their archaeological trip, even though the aircraft wreckage has been found. Mrs. Evans informs him that Uncle Augustus is his legal guardian. This news upends Henry's world and foreshadows the changes to come as he prepares to move.
When:unknown Where:Henry's home
- 2
Littles steal apple and are carried to Augustus' house
Two Littles living inside the walls of Henry's house snag an apple left for Henry by Mrs. Evans. They also retrieve Henry's lucky rabbit's foot and slip it into his suitcase as a prank. Their mischief backfires, and they are carried away with Henry's luggage to Augustus' house.
When:en route Where:Henry's house (inside walls) en route to Augustus' residence
- 3
Henry moves to Augustus' residence; guardianship revealed
Henry moves to Augustus' residence; Mrs. Evans says she can't join him because Augustus doesn't need a housekeeper. Augustus initially appears friendly toward Mrs. Evans, but his true temperament surfaces as he escorts Henry to his room. The move marks a turning point in Henry's life under a new and uneasy guardian.
When:after arrival Where:Augustus' residence
- 4
Littles discover Grandpa and Dinky; Augustus locks them away
The Littles realize Grandpa and Dinky are inside the house. Augustus mistakes them for toys, grabs them from Henry, and locks them in the desk drawer in his study. The discovery sets the stage for uncovering Augustus' plans against Henry.
When:soon after arrival Where:Augustus' study
- 5
Grandpa and Dinky uncover Augustus' fraud
From the desk, Grandpa and Dinky discover that Augustus forged documents to become Henry's legal guardian and to seize the Biggs' property. The revelation exposes Augustus' true intent to redevelop the family estate. The Littles realize they must act to protect Henry.
When:while in desk drawer Where:Augustus' study
- 6
Lucy persuades Tom to talk to Henry
Lucy persuades Tom to speak with Henry, a bold move since humans have been unaware of the Littles' existence. Henry begins to trust the tiny newcomers and forms a plan to oppose Augustus. The conversation marks a turning point in Henry's view of the Littles.
When:after discovery Where:Augustus' residence (Henry's room)
- 7
Henry orchestrates a diversion to rescue the Littles
Henry creates a diversion that allows Tom and Lucy to rescue Grandpa and Dinky from the desk. The act demonstrates Henry's growing courage and loyalty to his tiny rescuers. The rescue strengthens the alliance between Henry and the Littles.
When:following the earlier conversation Where:Augustus' residence
- 8
Tom trapped in honey; Littles shift focus to Henry
Tom becomes trapped in a jar of honey, complicating the rescue effort. The Littles must refocus their mission on freeing Henry first before saving Tom. The situation heightens the stakes as time runs short.
When:after honey incident Where:Augustus' residence, kitchen area
- 9
Littles escape by gas-powered plane; garage fire
The Littles flee aboard a gas-powered toy plane, triggering a garage fire that wakes Augustus. Henry attempts to reach the police but is caught by his uncle amid the chaos. The escape heightens the urgency to expose Augustus' crimes.
When:during escape Where:Augustus' residence/garage
- 10
Henry is captured while trying to reach help
The Littles' distractions buy Henry a moment of opportunity, but Augustus ultimately captures him before he can reach the police. The setback intensifies the danger Henry faces and motivates the Littles to intensify their plans. The tale moves toward a decisive confrontation.
When:after escape Where:Route to police station / vicinity of Augustus' residence
Show the other 5 events of Here Come the Littles Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Littles distract Augustus to buy Henry time
The Littles continue to distract Augustus long enough for Henry to run toward help. The diversion shows the growing cooperation between Henry and the Littles. Augustus grows more desperate as his scheme begins to unravel.
When:after Henry's capture Where:Outside Augustus' residence
- 12
Augustus orders demolition; Biggs' house at stake
Augustus calls a demolition crew to tear down the Biggs' place, accelerating his plans to seize the property. The pressure mounts as the physical threat to the home becomes real. The stakes rise as time runs out for Henry and the Littles.
When:climax Where:Biggs' property
- 13
Littles split up to thwart demolition and rescue the family
The Littles split up: Grandpa searches for Henry's parents, while the others sabotage the bulldozer. Both missions succeed just in time, thwarting Augustus' plan. The tiny heroes pull off a daring double rescue amid the danger.
When:climax Where:Biggs' property and surroundings
- 14
Augustus arrested by the police
As Augustus arrives to oversee the demolition, a police officer arrives and arrests him for illegal destruction of private property, forgery, and child abuse. The law closes in on Augustus' long-running schemes. Henry breathes a sigh of relief as justice is served.
When:end Where:Outside the Biggs' residence / police scene
- 15
Reunion at the airport
Henry is reunited with Mrs. Evans and prepares to meet his rediscovered parents at the airport. He casts a knowing wink at the gate as the Littles watch from the sidelines, signaling a hopeful new chapter. The Littles' world becomes real to Henry as he faces the future with his family.
When:end Where:Airport
Who Are the Main Characters in Here Come the Littles?
9 characters, among them Grandpa Little (Alvy Moore), Uncle Augustus (Hal Smith) and William Little (Gregg Berger): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- GL
Grandpa Little (Alvy Moore)
Played by Alvy Moore
An experienced, wily elder Little who guides the rescue efforts. He is protective of his family, knowledgeable about Augustus's schemes, and adapts quickly to dangerous situations to keep the Littles and Henry safe.
- ❄️ Experienced
- 🧭 Resourceful
- 🤝 Protective
- UA
Uncle Augustus (Hal Smith)
Played by Hal Smith
Henry's cruel guardian who dreams of replacing the Bigg home with a shopping mall. He forges documents to secure guardianship and underestimates the Littles and Henry until it's too late.
- ⚔️ Corrupt
- 🧱 Scheming
- 🐍 Cruel
- WL
William Little (Gregg Berger)
Played by Gregg Berger
One of the Littles inside the walls who helps navigate the human world. He is curious, brave, and plays a key role in uncovering Augustus's plan and aiding Henry.
- 🧭 Curious
- 💡 Clever
- 🤝 Helpful
- ME
Mrs. Evans (Mona Marshall)
Played by Mona Marshall
Henry's housekeeper who acts as an ally and guardian figure in the tale. She supports Henry and the Littles when possible.
- 🤗 Caring
- 🧭 Informative
- 🛡️ Protective
- DL
Dinky Little (Robert David Hall)
Played by Robert David Hall
A small, resourceful Little who discovers Augustus's deception alongside Grandpa. He becomes a vital ally in the plan to reveal the fraud.
- 🧩 Handy
- 🧭 Observant
- 🐀 Quick
- LL
Lucy Little (Bettina Bush)
Played by Bettina Bush
Bold and supportive, Lucy persuades Tom to reveal the Littles' existence to Henry. She helps orchestrate the escape and counters Augustus's schemes.
- 🗣️ Persuasive
- 💪 Bold
- 🧭 Strategic
- HL
Helen Little (Patricia Parris)
Played by Patricia Parris
A caring Little who contributes to the plan to protect Henry and his home. She remains supportive and vigilant.
- ❤️ Loyal
- 🧠 Smart
- 🛡️ Protective
- HB
Henry Bigg (Jimmy Keegan)
Played by Jimmy Keegan
A young boy who loses and regains guardianship. He shows resilience, resourcefulness, and trust in the Littles when danger arises.
- 🧒 Courageous
- 🧠 Clever
- 🤝 Trusting
- TL
Tom Little (Donavan Freberg)
Played by Donavan Freberg
One of the Littles who assists in the escape and rescue plan. He demonstrates quick thinking and teamwork under pressure.
- 🧩 Resourceful
- 🏃 Quick
- 🤝 Persistent
Where and When Is Here Come the Littles Set?
Here Come the Littles is set in Henry's House, Augustus's Residence, Bigg Property and Airport. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Henry's House, Augustus's Residence, Bigg Property, Airport
The core setting is Henry Bigg's house, where the Littles secretly reside inside the walls. Henry is moved to Uncle Augustus's residence, a larger, more menacing home that becomes the center of conflict. The story also unfolds across the Bigg property and culminates near the airport, where Henry hopes to reunite with his rediscovered parents.
- 🏠 Domestic
- 🧭 Adventure
What Are the Themes of Here Come the Littles?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Courage, Freedom vs. Control and Friendship and Loyalty.
-
01
Courage
The Littles risk capture and danger to protect Henry, proving that size does not determine bravery. Henry shows resilience by seeking help and standing up to his guardian. Together, they execute daring escapes and clever plans to outsmart Augustus.
-
02
Freedom vs. Control
Augustus seeks to control Henry's life and property, highlighting greed and power. The Littles fight for Henry's autonomy and their home, working behind the scenes to counter the threat. The resolution hinges on restoring agency to the vulnerable and exposing fraud.
-
03
Friendship and Loyalty
Henry trusts the Littles with his secret world, and the creatures form a bond that transcends size. The Littles help Henry reclaim his guardianship and stand against Augustus's schemes. Cooperation and trust drive the plan to protect their shared future.
What Kind of Film Is Here Come the Littles?
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 gentle and whimsical family adventure where tiny heroes from a hidden world help an orphaned boy thwart his greedy uncle, creating a heartwarming story of friendship and cleverness.
- whimsical
- adventurous
- hopeful
- family-friendly
- heartwarming
- secret world
- found family
- corporate greed
- rescue mission
- friendship
Content notes: child endangerment, emotional abuse.
Quiz
How well do you remember Here Come the Littles? Test yourself on the story.
