Direction
Frank Coraci keeps the itinerary readable by giving each destination a distinct visual joke, obstacle, or action sequence.
Around the World in 80 Days follows inventor Phileas Fogg and Lau Xing, posing as valet Passepartout, as they race around the globe while pursued by police and dangerous agents.
At a Glance
Full titleAround the World in 80 Days
DirectorFrank Coraci
CountryUS
LanguageEnglish
Release date2004-06-16
GenreAction · Adventure · Comedy
Runtime2h
Why Around the World in 80 Days stands out
A colorful family adventure combining a classic wager with Jackie Chan's physical comedy and Steve Coogan's eccentric inventor.
This adaptation turns Jules Verne's travel wager into a buddy adventure whose protagonists have different reasons to keep moving.
Fogg wants to defeat institutional convention, while Lau Xing uses the route to conceal a mission tied to his family and village.
Jackie Chan turns changing locations and everyday objects into comic action; Steve Coogan gives Fogg a precise, self-important rhythm.
The film favors energetic travel, visual invention, and playful cameos over strict fidelity to the novel.
Fogg's public bet and Lau Xing's private mission give the partners different but increasingly connected goals.
Memorable characters
Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, and Cécile de France form a balanced trio of action, verbal comedy, and adventurous curiosity.
Rewatch appeal
Changing locations, inventive transport, martial-arts choreography, and cameos make the set pieces easy to revisit.
Genre impact
This adaptation stands apart by transforming the Verne story into an ensemble comedy about outsiders challenging institutional certainty.
Story
A scientific wager and a hidden mission unite an eccentric inventor, a Chinese fugitive, and a French artist on an eighty-day journey.
01
The eighty-day wager
Fogg challenges Lord Kelvin by betting that modern invention can carry him around the world in eighty days.
02
Passepartout's secret mission
Passepartout is really Lau Xing, a fugitive determined to return a stolen jade Buddha to his village.
03
Monique joins the journey
French artist Monique becomes an active partner in the expedition rather than a passenger in Fogg's experiment.
04
Pursued across continents
Inspector Fix follows the group over the robbery, while General Fang's agents pursue Lau Xing and the artifact.
05
Invention meets acrobatic action
The film pairs elaborate machines with improvised martial arts, making each destination a different action-comedy stage.
06
Why the adventure works
Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan's contrasting styles, rapid locations, and playful cameos sustain the pace.
Cast
Main characters and performers
Behind the Scenes
Runtime: 2h.
Directed by Frank Coraci.
Genres include Action, Adventure, Comedy.
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FAQ
How long is Around the World in 80 Days?
Around the World in 80 Days runs 2h.
What is Around the World in 80 Days about?
A bet pits a British inventor, a Chinese thief and a French artist on a worldwide adventure that they can circle the globe in 80 days.
Who directed Around the World in 80 Days?
Around the World in 80 Days was directed by Frank Coraci.
Where can I watch Around the World in 80 Days?
Streaming availability varies by region. Check MovieLinks for current options, trailers, and related titles.
