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Plot summary

Storks (2016) Plot Summary & Timeline

Storks (2016) movie poster

Storks is a 2016 adventure and fantasy film directed by Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland, running 1 hour 27 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 822 words (about 4 minutes to read) and covers 15 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Storks.

to read the plot summary
4 min
key events in the timeline
15
characters profiled
6
themes explained
3
Storks (2016) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Storks About?

The premise of Storks in 302 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where the age‑old legend of storks delivering newborns has been replaced by sleek package‑delivery drones and a bustling online retailer, the feathered carriers have traded cradles for couriers. The once‑magical beacons that guided tiny bundles of life now flicker above a gleaming corporate hub, hinting that the old purpose might still linger beneath the polished surface. This playful reversal sets a tone that blends modern tech‑savvy humor with a nostalgic longing for forgotten wonder.

Enter Junior, the top‑ranking stork whose dedication to the job is matched only by his solitary streak. He moves through the high‑speed corridors of the company with precision, embodying the efficiency of a seasoned professional while yearning for something more meaningful. His routine is upended when a chance mishap reactivates the long‑dormant Baby Making Machine, sparking the sudden arrival of a baby girl and thrusting Junior into an unfamiliar, heartfelt mission.

Across the bustling office, Tulip—the only human among the storks—works as a janitor with a bright, resourceful spirit that stands out against the feathered backdrop. Her curiosity and kindness catch Junior’s attention, and together they become an unlikely pair tasked with navigating the first delivery of this unexpected infant. Their collaboration hints at a deeper connection between the corporate world’s efficiency and the timeless joy of bringing new life to families.

The film balances bright, kinetic animation with gentle, heartfelt moments, inviting viewers to wonder whether the storks can reclaim their original calling. As Junior and Tulip set out on their tentative adventure, the story teases a larger question: can a modern enterprise rediscover an ancient purpose, and what will it take for two very different worlds to unite in the name of hope? The tone remains upbeat and adventurous, promising a charming ride filled with humor, heart, and a touch of magical nostalgia.

Full plot

What Happens in Storks?

The complete story of Storks, from the first scene to the last, in 822 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

In a time long past, storks were believed to hold a legendary role in bringing new life into the world. They crafted babies in a grand factory and used magical beacons to deliver them to couples in need. However, a rebellious stork named Jasper put an end to this tradition when he defied orders by refusing to deliver a baby he had vowed to protect. By destroying her beacon, he unwittingly left her orphaned. This pivotal moment ignited the ambition of another stork, Hunter, who sought to transform the stork delivery business into a package delivery service, abandoning babies altogether.

Fast forward to the present day, storks are now part of a thriving corporation known as Cornerstore, specializing in package deliveries. Among them is the orphaned baby, Tulip, the only human in a world of storks, who finds herself working as a janitor in the bustling office. On the eve of a significant promotion, Junior, the corporation’s top delivery stork and a clever but solitary figure, is met with a challenge from Hunter: he must eliminate Tulip from the company in order to rise through the ranks. However, upon meeting Tulip, he discovers her genuine kindness and instead decides to relocate her to the long-abandoned baby factory, assigning her the seemingly meaningless task of overseeing mail.

Meanwhile, a lonely boy named Nate Gardner yearns for companionship. With his parents constantly preoccupied with their successful careers in real estate, Nate takes matters into his own hands and writes a heartfelt letter to the storks, requesting a younger sibling. This letter surprisingly reaches Tulip, prompting her to revive the forgotten baby factory. As Junior learns of this unexpected development, he attempts to intervene but accidentally injures himself, resulting in the unintentional creation of a baby. With his career on the line, Junior feels pressured to deliver the baby to its rightful family swiftly and quietly. Unable to fly because of his injury, he must rely on Tulip and her makeshift flying machine to accomplish this mission.

Yet trouble lurks as a suspicious Cornerstore employee, Pigeon Toady, discovers baby powder and starts piecing together the puzzle. Following close behind them is an unexpectedly watchful Jasper, trying to keep the situation under control.

As the journey progresses, it becomes clear that chaos is not far behind. Tulip and Junior face another mishap when their flying machine crashes. Frustrated with the mounting challenges, Junior abandons Tulip to deliver the baby alone on foot. The duo eventually finds themselves captured by a group of wolves. Despite the danger they face, agility prevails in their narrow escape.

On this adventure, an unlikely bond forms between Tulip and Junior. As they grow closer, Junior confesses that the glory of promotion holds little value for him, while Tulip reveals she is motivated by a desire to find her own family. Meanwhile, Pigeon Toady’s escalating evidence leads him to reveal their activities to Hunter, who promptly reprograms the delivery beacon to conceal its destination.

Their trials continue as they encounter the Wolf Pack once again in a harbor, but this time, assistance arrives in the form of Jasper, who lifts them to safety. He shares with Tulip that the heartache of giving her up stemmed from wanting to raise her as his child. Over the years, he has been diligently repairing her beacon, and Tulip now holds the final piece essential for it to function. Excited yet conflicted, she approaches the idea of finally finding her family, while hurt strikes Junior as he grapples with the truth that he was meant to let her go.

Devastated, Tulip makes her way to meet her long-lost family, feeling utterly alone and abandoned at Cornerstore. In a twist of fate, Junior attempts his own act of bravery by delivering the baby but ends up captured by Hunter, who aims to reposition the baby into the hands of a crew of villainous penguins. Just when all seems lost, Tulip arrives, prioritizing rescue over reunions. With a clever plan, she disguises herself within a package and they find their way back into the heart of Cornerstore during a jubilant celebration.

As their plan unfolds amidst the festive chaos, they manage to recover the baby but become exposed when it begins to cry. The moment of desperation revives the dormant baby factory, inadvertently generating a flood of newborns. In a frantic attempt to eliminate their troubles, Hunter unleashes havoc to destroy the factory, only to face consequences that lead to the downfall of Cornerstore itself.

In the end, Junior rallies the storks, leading a triumphant return to the ancient tradition of delivering babies. The black cloud of uncertainty lifts as he successfully completes the delivery to the Gardners. The film concludes with Tulip and Junior now united as partners, taking over the baby factory, where Tulip finally meets her family, and Jasper captures this precious reunion in a photograph—all while inviting Junior to share in her family joy.

Timeline

Storks Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “The Legend of the Storks” to “A New Era for the Storks”. 9 events name a place, across 4 locations.

  1. 1

    The Legend of the Storks

    In a time long past, storks were considered legendary beings responsible for bringing new life into the world. They crafted babies in a grand factory and utilized magical beacons to deliver them to couples in need, fulfilling an essential and revered role in society.

  2. 2

    Jasper's Rebellion

    A rebellious stork named Jasper defies orders by refusing to deliver a baby he had vowed to protect. This act of defiance leads to the destruction of her beacon, leaving the baby orphaned and permanently altering the course of stork deliveries.

  3. 3

    The Rise of Cornerstore

    Fast forward to the present, storks are now part of a corporation called Cornerstore that specializes in package deliveries. The traditional role of delivering babies has been abandoned, showcasing a significant shift in priorities and business practices among the storks.

    Where:Cornerstore

  4. 4

    Tulip's Role as a Janitor

    Amongst the storks, Tulip, an orphaned baby and the only human in a stork-dominated world, works as a janitor in the busy Cornerstore office. Her presence highlights the unusual integration of a human into a society that once crafted her kind.

    Where:Cornerstore

  5. 5

    Junior's Challenge

    On the eve of a significant promotion, Junior, the corporation's top delivery stork, faces a daunting task from Hunter to eliminate Tulip from the company. Struck by her kind spirit, he decides instead to relocate her to the long-abandoned baby factory to oversee mail.

    Where:Baby Factory

  6. 6

    Nate's Heartfelt Request

    Lonely boy Nate Gardner yearns for companionship and writes a heartfelt letter to the storks asking for a younger sibling. This plea unexpectedly reaches Tulip, rekindling the spirit of the forgotten baby factory and inspiring her to act.

    Where:Nate's Home

  7. 7

    A Baby is Created

    In a twist of fate, upon discovering Nate's request, Junior's actions lead to the accidental creation of a baby. This unexpected development puts pressure on Junior to deliver the baby to its rightful family before his career is jeopardized.

  8. 8

    The Journey Begins

    Unable to fly due to an injury, Junior must rely on Tulip and her makeshift flying machine to deliver the baby. Their embarkation is fraught with challenges and growing tension amidst the chaos of their mission.

  9. 9

    Encounter with Danger

    Tulip and Junior's journey becomes perilous when they face a misadventure that results in a crash landing of their flying machine. This setback challenges their teamwork and leads to their capture by a group of wolves, heightening the stakes of their mission.

    Where:Forest

  10. 10

    Bonding Through Adversity

    As the duo navigates their challenges, an unexpected bond forms between Tulip and Junior. During a heartfelt moment, Junior confesses that the glory of his promotion means little, while Tulip reveals her longing to discover her own family.

Show the other 5 events of Storks
  1. 11

    Jasper's Intervention

    In a moment of crisis, the ever-watchful Jasper arrives to save Tulip and Junior from the wolves. Jasper reveals his emotional connection to Tulip, citing his heartache over giving her up and sharing that he has been repairing her beacon all along.

    Where:Forest

  2. 12

    The Final Piece of the Beacon

    As their adventure unfolds, Tulip learns she holds the last piece necessary to activate her beacon. With mixed feelings about potentially finding her family, she also grapples with the emotional implications of leaving Junior and the life they have built together.

  3. 13

    Rescue and Reunion

    In a brave move, Junior attempts to deliver the baby alone but ends up captured by Hunter. Tulip, prioritizing rescue over her reunion with her family, cleverly disguises herself in a package to infiltrate Cornerstore and save Junior.

    Where:Cornerstore

  4. 14

    The Newborn Flood

    During a festive celebration at Cornerstore, the unexpected crying of the baby reveals their presence, triggering the dormant baby factory to come to life again. This unexpected flood of newborns leads to chaos, challenging everyone's resolve and forcing them to confront their past decisions.

    Where:Cornerstore

  5. 15

    A New Era for the Storks

    Ultimately, Junior gathers the storks to reclaim their true purpose of delivering babies. As the clouds of uncertainty lift, Junior successfully delivers the baby to the Gardners, paving the way for Tulip and Junior to take charge of the baby factory together and reunite Tulip with her family.

    Where:Cornerstore

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Storks?

6 characters, among them Tulip, Junior and Hunter: who each one is and the part they play in the story.

  • T

    Tulip

    Tulip is a spirited human girl who finds herself in a world dominated by storks. Her determination and kindness drive her to revive the baby factory in her quest for family and belonging. As the story unfolds, Tulip evolves from a janitor to a key player in reestablishing the tradition of stork deliveries.

    • 👧 Human
    • 🏭 Caregiver
  • J

    Junior

    Junior is the ambitious top stork at Cornerstore, initially focused on climbing the corporate ladder. However, his encounter with Tulip challenges his priorities, leading him to value friendship and familial connections over ambition. Through their adventures, he learns the importance of compassion and teamwork.

    • 🦩 Stork
    • 🚀 Ambitious
  • H

    Hunter

    Hunter serves as the antagonist in the story, seeking to transform the stork delivery business into a cold, impersonal package service. His ambition leads him to undermine Tulip and Junior, posing a constant threat to their mission. Hunter’s actions highlight the conflict between commercialism and the nurturing of life.

    • 💼 Villain
    • 🔥 Ambitious
  • J

    Jasper

    Jasper is a once-rebellious stork who grapples with the consequences of his past decisions. He embarks on a journey of redemption, striving to help Tulip find her family. His deep desire to rebuild his relationship with Tulip showcases his growth and the enduring bond between them.

    • 🦩 Father Figure
    • 🔄 Redemption
  • NG

    Nate Gardner

    Nate is a lonely boy who longs for a sibling to fill the void in his family. His heartfelt letter to the storks serves as a catalyst for the story, driving the plot forward as he yearns for connection amidst his parents' busy lives. His innocent wish underscores the film's overarching theme of family.

    • 👦 Child
    • 💌 Dreamer
  • PT

    Pigeon Toady

    Pigeon Toady is a Cornerstore employee whose keen observations lead him to uncover Tulip and Junior's plight. His role adds a layer of tension as he aims to protect his interests while navigating the unfolding chaos. He embodies the conflicts within the corporate realm.

    • 🐦 Corporate Worker
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Watchful
Setting

Where and When Is Storks Set?

Storks is set in Cornerstore and Baby Factory (Present Day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Present Day

In the present day, the world has evolved significantly, with storks transitioning from their mythical role of delivering babies to working in a corporate logistics environment. This reflects a broader societal shift away from traditional family values toward a focus on commercialism and efficiency, presenting both challenges and opportunities for personal connections.

Where

Cornerstore, Baby Factory

Cornerstore is a bustling corporate environment where storks now specialize in package deliveries. This once-thriving baby factory, now long-abandoned, is where Tulip is assigned to oversee mail, eventually serving as the backdrop for her journey of self-discovery. The contrast between the corporate world and the factory symbolizes a lost tradition of family and nurturing.

  • 🏢 Office
  • 🏭 Factory
Themes

What Are the Themes of Storks?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family, Adventure and Identity.

  1. 01

    Family

    The theme of family resonates throughout the movie, highlighting the longing for connection and belonging. Tulip's quest to discover her origins and find her family intertwines with Junior's realization that true success lies in relationships rather than ambition. Their journeys ultimately emphasize the importance of nurturing bonds over corporate gains.

  2. 02

    Adventure

    Adventure plays a crucial role as Tulip and Junior embark on a chaotic journey filled with mishaps, unexpected allies, and adversaries. Their escapades challenge them both physically and emotionally, pushing them to confront their fears and work together to achieve a common goal. The whimsical nature of their adventure also adds a layer of humor and heart.

  3. 03

    Identity

    Identity is a central theme, especially for Tulip, who navigates her existence as the only human among storks. Her struggle to find her place and understand her heritage drives her character development. Junior's transition from a corporate stork to a caring companion further underlines the significance of embracing one's true self in the face of societal expectations.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Storks?

Whimsical in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Whimsical
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced, whimsical animated adventure filled with chaos and humor, following an unlikely duo on a heartfelt mission that ultimately celebrates friendship, family, and rediscovering one's true purpose.

  • whimsical
  • adventurous
  • heartwarming
  • uplifting
  • chaotic
  • playful
  • found family
  • corporate satire
  • unlikely partnership
  • rediscovering purpose

Quiz

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Where to watch

Where to Watch Storks

Stream it on YouTube Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

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Read next

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FAQ

Storks Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Storks, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Storks about?

In a world where the age‑old legend of storks delivering newborns has been replaced by sleek package‑delivery drones and a bustling online retailer, the feathered carriers have traded cradles for couriers.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Storks take place?

Storks is set in Cornerstore and Baby Factory (Present Day). In the present day, the world has evolved significantly, with storks transitioning from their mythical role of delivering babies to working in a corporate logistics environment.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Storks?

The story follows Tulip, Junior, Hunter and Jasper; the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Storks?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Family, Adventure and Identity.

The themes explained

Who directed Storks?

Storks (2016) was directed by Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland and runs 1 hour 27 minutes.

Nicholas Stoller’s films

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