The War with Grandpa 2020

Ed Marino, still wrestling with the profound grief from losing his wife, experiences a comical clash with the self-checkout machines at the neighborhood grocery store, leading to an embarrassing encounter with the manager. His daughter, Sally Marino-Decker, steps in, urging her father to let go of the past and move in with her family. Initially hesitant to leave the house he painstakingly built, Ed’s heart begins to soften as Sally’s persistence convinces him to join them. As he adjusts to his new living situation, nostalgia for his deceased wife weighs heavily on him, often finding him lost in thought by the window in his chair.

Meanwhile, Ed’s grandson Peter is less than enthusiastic about giving up his bedroom for his grandfather, moving him to the attic instead. However, Sally’s husband, Arthur, along with their two daughters, Mia and Jenny, greet Ed with open arms and warmth. Despite their inviting nature, tensions simmer when Peter shares his frustrations with friends Billy, Steve, and Emma about his grandfather’s sudden disruption of his space. Feeling his territory has been compromised, Peter declares a prank war against Ed, setting the stage for a humorous showdown.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Ed retaliates with an arsenal of clever pranks aimed at his grandson. As this playful war intensifies, Ed turns to old friends Danny and Jerry for advice on navigating this new chapter of his life. As days turn into weeks, Ed starts forming connections with his granddaughters and son-in-law, slowly growing fond of modern conveniences he once shunned, like self-checkouts and mobile apps.

Meanwhile, Sally faces a dilemma of her own when she discovers that Mia has started seeing Russell, a young man whose values sharply contrast with hers. Ed, always the mediator, organizes a light-hearted dodgeball game featuring Peter and his friends versus Jerry, Danny, and a store clerk named Diane. As tensions lurk just below the surface, Ed must confront his own issues while adjusting to life in this bustling household.

The aftermath of Jenny’s Christmas party spirals into chaos and unexpected turns. In a moment of bold action, Ed, Danny, and Jerry intervene when they find out Peter is being bullied, triumphantly tossing the bully into a dumpster. However, the main event arrives at Peter’s birthday celebration where his promise to behave is put to the test. Instead of keeping his word, Peter sets up an ejector seat for Ed, who was supposed to don the Santa suit that night; a surprising twist sees Jerry taking on the role instead.

As the party unfolds, the prank war between Peter and Ed escalates, much to the annoyance of other guests. They go back and forth with water bottles, and Peter’s antics reach a crescendo when he inadvertently shocks Ed by unplugging the lights while he’s testing them. Their playful rivalry exposes the ongoing tension to everyone present, resulting in Jerry’s comically disastrous attempt to leave his chair, which causes further property damage and chaos.

The drama doesn’t stop there; Jenny’s Christmas tree prop crashes into Mia’s room, unveiling her secret relationship with Russell. Ed’s night of pranks culminates in a mishap that sends him to the hospital, prompting Arthur and Sally to impose “work arrest” on Peter and Mia for six months as punishment.

Ultimately, Russell’s unexpected arrival brings a mix of feelings for Sally—initially displeased, she eventually accepts him with open arms. After Ed is discharged from the hospital, he finds himself unexpectedly taken back to his childhood home by a Lyft driver. Peter seizes his chance to apologize and encourage Ed to come back into the fold, with Sally’s supportive listening helping to mend fences.

As time marches on, Ed and Peter appear to have settled their differences. However, this fragile truce is shattered when Ed announces his intention to be with Diane, igniting a furious response from Peter. Feeling betrayed and resentful, Peter embarks on a declaration of war against both Ed and Diane, enshrouding the family dynamics in a fresh layer of conflict.