In the ancient world of 10,000 BC, a tribe known as the Yagahl inhabits the remote mountains of the Urals, relying on the hunting of woolly mammoths for survival. At the heart of this tale is D'Leh, a young hunter whose life is intertwined with that of Evolet, an orphan rescued by the tribe. D'Leh achieves great honor by slaying a mammoth and claiming the coveted "White Spear”, alongside earning the hand of Evolet in marriage. Yet, he struggles with the belief that he deserves neither honor as he considers his kill a mere accident.
The tranquility of their lives is shattered when "Four Legged Demons,” ruthless horse-raiders, launch a surprise attack on their camp while D'Leh and a few others are away. Evolet is captured and enslaved. Driven by love and determination, D'Leh, accompanied by his loyal friends Tic'Tic, Ka'Ren, and Baku, embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her. Their journey takes them through treacherous rainforests, where they confront terrifying giant birds. In a desperate attempt to save Evolet, D'Leh manages to rescue her, but their escape is marred by a fierce attack that leaves Tic'Tic injured and leads to the recapture of both Evolet and Baku.
As they continue their pursuit, D'Leh and Tic'Tic encounter others who share their plight, forming alliances with different tribes affected by the raiders. They meet Nakudu, the leader of the Naku tribe, who shares a profound prophecy: it is foretold that a person who communicates with a Smilodon, also known as the “Spear-Tooth,” will aid in the liberation of their captured kin. D'Leh recognizes that the prophecy pertains to him, as he had previously spared the Spear-Tooth's life.
The raiders, having transported captives aboard ships with distinct red sails to the ominous "Mountains of the Gods," leave no hope of rescue for the captured. Nevertheless, D'Leh and his band of warriors unite various tribes to mount a coalition against their common enemy. They discover the grand red-sailed ships harboring Evolet and Baku but face the daunting challenge of traversing a vast desert.
Their journey leads them to a spectacular advanced civilization reminiscent of ancient Egypt, ruled by an enigmatic figure called “The Almighty.” This figure is worshipped as a living god and exploits thousands of slaves, including D'Leh's kin, to construct a vast pyramid complex. During a fateful encounter, D'Leh discovers a servant who bears a bracelet that once belonged to his father, who vanished seeking food but instead found enslavement.
In the chaos of their rebellion, D'Leh leads an uprising among the slaves, causing the mammoth herds, forced to work on the pyramids, to stampede, leading to the downfall of many of the Almighty's forces. The Almighty attempts to manipulate D'Leh by offering Evolet as a peace token if he agrees to abandon the rebellion. "If you take your wife, your warriors can return, but the rest must remain my slaves forever," he states.
Feigning submission, D'Leh finds an opportunity to attack, hurling a spear at the Almighty and successfully killing him, dismantling the façade of divinity. However, chaos ensues as Evolet is kidnapped by an obsessed raider. In a fierce struggle, she fights back only to be mortally wounded. D'Leh, heartbroken, avenges her tormentor and cradles her lifeless body. In a touching moment, the tribe's wise woman sacrifices herself to restore Evolet, bringing her back to life.
As the sun sets on their adventure, D'Leh and Evolet, now free from their chains, make their way home with the promise of newfound hope as they introduce agriculture to their people, stepping away from their former hunter-gatherer existence.
