Horror Film Plot Maps: Jaws Leaves Its Town, The Shining Never Leaves the Hotel
Two horror film plot maps so far, Jaws (1975) and The Shining (1980). Jaws narrows to three lines at sea, The Shining never leaves the hotel. Drawn by Mike Bell.
Research-Led Film Plot Maps for Movie Fans
These film plot maps turn a story into a network you can read on the wall. I take a film, or a whole franchise, and lay it out using the structural logic of the London Underground map, so you can follow each character from their first scene to their last and see exactly where their stories cross.
I design every map myself, by hand and without AI. Not an algorithm - every connection on this map was made by hand, by an obsessive fan.
How do the film plot maps work?
- Each character is a transit line
- Key plot points are stations, in the order they happen on screen
- Interchanges show where characters meet, and where their stories cross
- Branch lines mark characters who only turn up briefly
The James Bond map works at franchise scale. All 25 Eon films are the stations, and the recurring characters are the lines, with one-off villains on branch lines.
Drawing it showed me something the films never spell out. Desmond Llewelyn played Q in seventeen films between 1963 and 1999, so his line runs further across the map than any of the six actors who played 007.
Which film plot maps are in the collection?
- Back to the Future and Blade Runner, also grouped in my sci-fi plot maps
- Jaws and The Shining, also grouped in my horror plot maps
- Dirty Dancing
- James Bond, covering 25 films across six decades
How do I research a film plot map?
Every map starts with the film, not the design. I work from:
- The film itself, plotted scene by scene
- The official cast credits
- Release order for franchises, and running order within each film
- Cross-checks against established film references
For Bond, the longer read sits in my guide to the James Bond movies in order.
What are the prints made from?
Every map is a museum-quality Giclée print. Full details are on my print specifications page.
- 230gsm premium fine art paper with a textured matte finish
- Archival and acid-free
- Sizes and current prices are shown on each product page
- Framed options wood
Prints are made close to the customer in the UK, the US and Europe, which keeps transit distances short.
Who are these film plot maps for?
- Fans who can quote the film scene by scene
- Franchise completists
- Home cinema and media room walls
- Gift buyers after a movie gift with real detail behind it
The full story on your wall. It rewards every closer look.
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James Bond Characters Map | Art PrintJames Bond Characters Map | Art Print- Regular price
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Back to the Future Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art PrintBack to the Future Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art Print- Regular price
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Blade Runner Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art PrintBlade Runner Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art Print- Regular price
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The Shining Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art PrintThe Shining Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art Print- Regular price
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Jaws Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art PrintJaws Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art Print- Regular price
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Dirty Dancing Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art PrintDirty Dancing Movie Plot Lines Tube Map Art Print- Regular price
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How to Read Every Film Plot Map
Navigate the Movie Plotline Maps - Every Character - Every Plot Line
Navigating a movie plotline map is as easy as following a transit system.
- Scenes as stations – each stop marks a key scene in chronological order.
- Characters as transit lines – track main cast, supporting roles, and cameos.
- Character interactions – see who crosses paths, recurs, or drives the story.
- Hidden connections – uncover plot twists and details from scripts and analyses.
- Visual storytelling – maps reveal the full narrative with clarity, depth, and insight.
Large Format Movie Plot Art Prints — Built to Explore Every Story Arc Detail
Explore Cinema Through Structure, Not Summaries
I map entire film narratives as tube diagrams - every scene in sequence, every character traced as a line, every plot connection visible in a single layout. These are art prints for film fans who want something on their wall that tells the full story of a film, not just a still from it.
Gallery Quality Wall Art Prints - Film Plot Maps
Available in three sizes, A3, A2 and A1, plus the US equivalents 16 x 12 in, 24 x 18 in and 36 x 24 in
- Supplied unframed, or as a ready-to-hang framed art print, fully assembled out of the box
- Handmade Italian wooden frames in solid, real wood
- Slim modern gallery profiles
- Premium plexiglass glazing, lightweight and shatter-resistant for safe global shipping
- Museum-quality Giclée printing for exceptional detail and colour accuracy
- 230gsm premium fine art paper with a textured matte finish
- Archival, acid-free stock for long-term colour stability
- Pre-fitted sawtooth hangers and rubber bumpers, ready for portrait or landscape display
- Made to order, printed locally, shipped worldwide in protective packaging
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Sci-Fi Film Plot Maps: Back to the Future Doubles, Blade Runner Subtracts
Two sci-fi film plot maps in the collection. How Back to the Future doubles its lines across two eras while Blade Runner takes them away one at a time, and...
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Gift Card for Movie Fans: What to Give When You Cannot Ask Them First
Six film plot maps exist: James Bond, Back to the Future, Blade Runner, The Shining, Jaws and Dirty Dancing. If their favourite is one of them, buy the print. If...
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Blade Runner Map: How to Read Every Character Line Across One Night
The Blade Runner map draws Ridley Scott's 1982 film as a transit diagram. How to read it, each named line and its colour, and what happens to each. Giclée art...
Your Questions About the Film Plot Maps, Answered
Everything you need to know about how I research and design film narrative tube maps, how to read them, what goes into each one, and how to order them.
What are Mike Bell Film Plot Maps?
Mike Bell Film Plot Maps are deeply researched art prints that chart entire film narratives as structured, transport-style diagrams. Rather than a poster or a still, each print maps the full story - characters, arcs, and key moments - across a single wall-ready image. Browse the complete Film Plot Map Prints collection.
How do Film Plot Maps work?
- Lines represent individual characters tracked across the full length of the film
- Stations mark key plot points, turning moments, and story beats
- Intersections show where characters meet, clash, or converge
- Annotations capture significant quotes, events, and narrative details along each line
The result is a complete record of the film in diagram form - every thread followed from opening scene to closing frame. See the Film Plot Map Prints collection for examples.
Are the maps accurate?
Yes. Each map is built from careful, scene-by-scene research using the film itself alongside trusted reference sources. Every character movement, plot intersection, and story beat is verified before it's placed. Learn more about the approach to the design process page.
What formats are available?
Film Plot Maps are available as A3, A2 and A1 Giclée art prints on 230gsm premium fine art paper, with a textured matte finish.
A stretched canvas option is also available, mounted on a 4cm deep floater frame for a gallery-style finish. Browse all music and movie art prints.
How are the prints made?
I work with a network of vetted local print partners across the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond. Every print is produced to the same museum-quality Giclée standard wherever it's fulfilled, using archival fine art paper for colour accuracy and longevity.
Each print is made to order and never warehoused. It arrives ready to hang, with sawtooth hangers and rubber bumpers already fitted. Full technical details are on the print specifications page.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Film Plot Maps ship worldwide in protective packaging. Orders across the UK, USA, EU, and beyond are fulfilled by the print partner nearest to the delivery address, wherever possible - keeping transit times down and customs surprises out of the equation. Full details are on the shipping information page.
