A Recap of The Movie ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’
Plot Synopsis written by Michael Lee
*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
Official Trailer: ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ (2025)
Plot Synopsis
Meet Alexander Garcia. He has become convinced his family is cursed. Mostly due to the accidents and incidents that he may or may not be responsible for. Alexander lives with his mother and father, Frank and Lisa, as well as his sister, Mia, and his grandmother, Lidia. Frank owns a restaurant that is getting shut down but he hasn't yet told his family. His sister, Mia, is patiently waiting to get asked out to prom.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Featurette: “Making Alexander” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
The Garcia family is planning on going on a road trip, which the magazine Val works for is sponsoring. Grandpa Gil, Val’s father, is coming to dogsit Clyde, the family’s dog. While Alex is rummaging through their attic, he finds an old Mexican idol.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Clip: “Everybody Out” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Grandpa Gil explains to Alex that his own grandfather, Alejandro, was given the idol by brujas to aid in his farm becoming monetarily successful. It worked, but since Alejandro never returned it, a fire broke out as a curse and burned down the entire town. Frank informs Alexander that he will throw it away to help ease Alexander’s mind.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Clip: “I’d Call t a Stream” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
The very next day, his family is finally embarking on their road trip on a fancy travel RV. Everything is going swimmingly until Alexander spills soda onto one of the RV mechanisms. He tries to fix it, but the RV goes haywire, causing them to crash into a large alien statue, leaving the RV in pretty bad shape.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Clip: “Sing To It” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Grandpa Gil, who was on the phone with Val while the accident took place, says he will leave Clyde at the neighbors and go to help his family. As Frank and Lisa are attempting to rent a car, Alexander and Mia visit the botánica next door after finding the Mexican idol tucked away in their things. The owner of the botánica, Claudio, confirms the idol is very cursed and they must return it to Soledad at once.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Clip: “Stop It” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
After renting a rundown van, the Garcias encounter a wild skunk in the van that sprays the whole family. They find a gas station to let a skunk out and get a change of clothes. Lidia wanders off to get a popsicle, and the family accidentally leaves her there. They turn around but are sidetracked by cows in the road, which makes the family accidentally steer into a ravine. The van gets caught in the ravine and ends up getting washed away, so the family swims to land. But they forget the idol in the process.
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip’ Film Clip: “We Need Professional Help” • Video Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
After all of the commotion, Frank and Vale end up getting into an argument and Alexander accidentally reveals that his father is losing his restaurant and he wishes that the family would pay attention to him and what he has to say. Later, the family encounters Lupe, a woman who only speaks Spanish. Alexander is the only person that can speak Spanish. Lupe takes the Garcia family to their home to meet her husband Chavo, and reveals they are actually in Mexico.
Later, Gil runs into Claudio at the botánica and learns where his family went. Gil manages to find Lidia and the two argue about Mexican culture. Gil reveals he’s ever actually been to Mexico because of passport issues. He missed being there when his grandmother passed. Gil and Lidia grow closer.
Lupe and Chavo decide to give the Garcias a rundown ice cream truck to get back home. Alexander and his sister discover the idol in the back and after the ice cream truck explodes in the ditch, the family becomes convinced of its power and decide to go to Soledad after learning it is nearby.
The family arrives in Soledad and reunites with Gil and Linda at a museum. They learn that a fire did burn in Soledad, but the people found water. They also learn the town possesses the real idol and the one the Garcias have is only a prop. Alexander is disappointed, but his family tells him that bad days happen all of the time and they are lucky to have their health.
Now all together, the Garcias celebrate in Soledad and embrace whatever the future might hold. Mia asks the boy she likes to prom and he happily agrees. Val knows what her new book will be about. Gil and Lidia are in a much better place with their relationship. And with that, luck shines upon the Garcia family, now free from any kind of ‘curse’.
