Little Nicholas 2009

Family

Comedy

Box Office

$63M

Runtime

91 mins

Language

French

Directed by

Laurent Tirard

Made by

SCOPE Pictures

Test your knowledge of Little Nicholas with our quiz!

Little Nicholas Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Little Nicholas (2009). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Little Nicholas Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Little Nicholas (2009) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

School assignment on future dreams

In class, the teacher asks the students to write about what they want to be when they grow up. Each friend has a clear plan, while Nicholas remains unsure and wary of change. The assignment sets the theme for the rest of the story as they navigate aspirations and expectations.

During class School classroom

Joachim arrives with a new baby brother

A new student, Joachim, joins the class with news of a baby brother. He resents feeling sidelined, and he suspects his family’s attention will shift as a result. He also notices his father’s unusually affectionate behavior toward his mother.

Morning at school School

Nicholas senses a coming baby

The next morning Nicholas sees his parents’ affectionate exchange and fears they plan to have another baby. His world feels unsettled as he imagines life changing around him. The idea of a new sibling begins to loom large.

Morning Home

He tells friends about Joachim’s absence

Nicholas shares his suspicions with his friends, who quickly notice Joachim’s sudden absence from school. The group starts to piece together the strange changes around them. They wonder if a baby might be the cause of it all.

Afternoon School/Neighborhood

Misinterprets dinner plans as a baby sign

Nicholas overhears his parents discussing inviting Mr. Moucheboume and his wife to dinner and misreads it as an impending baby announcement. His imagination runs wild as he fixates on this possible change.

Evening Home

Weekend woods trip sparks fear of abandonment

When his father suggests a weekend trip to the woods, Nicholas fears they intend to abandon him for the baby. The worry gnaws at him as the family prepares to leave. He clings to the idea of staying with them.

Weekend Car/Forest

Family car ride ends in a fight

The journey to the woods ends with Nicholas refusing to get out of the car, and his parents pushing the vehicle back home as the day devolves into a heated argument. The tension highlights his insecurity and desire for reassurance.

That weekend Wooded road / Home

Secret club forms to help Nicholas

Nicholas’s friends band together to form a secret club that brainstorms ways to make his parents proud. They even plan to tidy the house while the grown-ups are away, hoping to win their approval through action.

Soon after Nicholas’s home

The cleaning plan backfires; grounded

The tidy-up plan spirals into a bigger mess, leaving the house in disarray. Nicholas ends up grounded for the night, confronting the reality that good intentions aren’t enough. The setback deepens his frustration with his situation.

That night Home

Nicholas runs away, then returns

Feeling defeated, Nicholas runs away from home but quickly regrets it and returns. He begins to understand that his parents’ love and attention are meaningful, even if he doesn’t feel seen at the moment.

A few days later Street / Home

Gangster plan and a garage call

The kids hatch a plan to hire a gangster to help with kidnapping, but they learn that Blind Jack is on the loose. Instead, Nicholas contacts someone who operates out of a garage, paying 500 francs for help to strip the “body” down.

Mid-plan Home / Phone

Profiting from a fake super-strength formula

They manage to make money by selling a supposed formula for superhuman strength, earning 530 francs. The ruse shows their willingness to bend the rules to secure a positive outcome for Nicholas.

Later that day Home

Car theft attempt thwarted by Joachim’s illness twist

To aid the scheme, they attempt to steal Geoffrey’s father’s car, only to bump into Joachim on the street; he has chickenpox and is with his little brother. The moment makes Nicholas rethink the plan, reminding him of the value of brotherhood.

During the plan Town / Streets

Nicholas rejects the kidnapping; decides to embrace a brother

Nicholas chooses not to go through with the kidnapping. He returns home already excited by the idea of having a brother, though his parents remain perplexed by his change of heart. The family begins to reconnect in a hopeful way.

Immediately after Home

A baby girl arrives; Nicholas learns a lesson about laughter

Later, Nicholas learns his mother is indeed pregnant and gives birth to a girl. He feels mixed emotions at first but learns to laugh again and recalls the teacher’s assignment: his purpose is to make people laugh.

After birth Home / Relatives' visit

Little Nicholas Characters

Explore all characters from Little Nicholas (2009). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Nicolas — Maxime Godart

Nicolas is the story’s keen observer and central boy who cherishes the comfort of his everyday life. He is imaginative and emotionally attached to his parents, yet struggles with the idea of change when a baby might arrive. His attempts to keep things the same lead to misadventures with his friends, and ultimately to a deeper understanding of family and laughter.

🧒 Child 🧠 Observant 🎭 Imaginative

Alceste — Vincent Claude

Alceste is Nicolas’ gluttonous and loyal best friend who loves food and mischief. He tends to be the rushed spark behind schemes but remains firmly on Nicolas’ side when trouble arises. His appetite and big personality contrast with Nicolas’ more cautious nature, adding humor and energy to the group.

🧒 Child 🍔 Glutton 🧭 Loyal

Geoffroy — Charles Vaillant

Geoffroy is the rich, confident classmate who embodies a foil to Nicolas and his friends. His wealth and status influence the dynamics of the group and the aspirations of the children as they navigate approval, friendship, and competition.

🧒 Child 💼 Wealthy 🪪 Status-aware

Clotaire — Victor Carles

Clotaire is the dimwitted but lovable member of the circle. He often provides comic relief and unexpected insight, showing that intelligence isn’t the only path to friendship and problem-solving. His simple approach contrasts with the more scheming plans of others.

🧒 Child 😅 Comic 🧩 Simple-minded

Eudes — Benjamin Averty

Eudes is the quarrelsome member who sometimes clashes with the group’s plans. His temperament adds tension to the youngsters’ attempts to navigate adult expectations, but he remains part of the close-knit circle.

🧒 Child 😠 Temperamental 🌀 Impulsive

Agnan — Damien Ferdel

Agnan is the top student and the teacher’s favorite, often contrasted with Nicolas’ free-spirited nature. His focus on doing well and following rules creates a subtle tension within the group’s adventures, highlighting different paths children take in balancing school and play.

🧒 Child 📚 Studious 🏅 Responsible

Joachim — Virgile Tirard

Joachim is the new boy who arrives with a baby brother window into a changing family dynamic. His curiosity about his own family’s affection reveals his own insecurities and becomes a catalyst for Nicolas to reflect on brotherhood and belonging.

🧒 Child 🕵️ Curious 👦 New kid

Marie-Edwige — Elisa Heusch

Marie-Edwige is a girl from Nicolas’ world with whom he spends time at a tea party, adding a gentle, social dimension to his adventures. Her presence provides companionship and a softer counterbalance to the boys’ schemes, highlighting early childhood social dynamics.

👧 Child 👫 Social 💬 Supportive

Little Nicholas Themes

Discover the main themes in Little Nicholas (2009). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

👪

Family

Nicolas’ world centers on his family and their dynamics. He loves the comfort of familiar routines but fears that a new baby might change the attention he receives. The film uses light humor and warm moments to explore belonging, reassurance, and the emotional adjustments families go through.

🧒

Growing Up

Nicolas negotiates the anxious transition from childhood innocence to the realities of change. His reactions to his parents’ affection, to Joachim’s arrival, and to sibling expectations reveal a child’s perspective on growing up. The story tracks his longing for stability while learning to adapt.

🎭

Friendship and Mischief

Nicolas and his friends form schemes and a secret club to navigate their fears and prove themselves. The playful deception, plans to 'help' the family, and eventual realization highlight how kids rely on imagination and camaraderie to cope with uncertainty. Loyalty and humor drive their adventures.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.