Black Panthers

Long ago, a meteor containing vibranium crash-landed in Africa, leading to conflicts among five tribes over its valuable resource. A shaman communed with the panther god Bast and became the first Black Panther, uniting the tribes to form the nation of Wakanda. The new nation developed advanced technology and kept itself hidden from the outside world through a powerful force field.

N'Jobu, a Wakandan spy, and James plan to smuggle weapons in Oakland. King T’Chaka’s brother, N'Jobu, is discovered to have stolen vibranium, revealing internal conflicts. T’Chaka’s men, including Zuri, confront N’Jobu, leading to N’Jobu’s arrest and T’Chaka’s ship flying overhead, symbolizing Wakanda’s presence.

T’Challa, son of T’Chaka, prepares to become king following his father’s death. During the ceremony, he drinks an herb, removing his Black Panther powers momentarily, which leads to a challenge by M’Baku from the Jabari tribe. T’Challa fights valiantly and wins, securing his rightful place as king.

T’Challa enters the ancestral plane and reconnects with his father, who advises him about the challenges of kingship. T’Challa expresses his doubts about leading, recognizing the difficulty of being a good man in power. His father’s guidance offers insight into his responsibilities as ruler.

In London, Erik Killmonger publicly admires a vibranium weapon in a museum before causing a diversion. He and his crew attack the guards, steal the vibranium weapon, and reveal his history as N’Jadaka, the son of N’Jobu, setting the stage for his quest for power and revenge.

Klaue plans to sell vibranium in South Korea, where T’Challa, Nakia, and Okoye go undercover. Klaue's operation is disrupted, leading to a confrontation involving Nakia, Okoye, and T’Challa. Klaue is captured but reveals vital secrets about Wakanda, heightening tensions.

Killmonger kills Klaue and arrives in Wakanda, presenting himself as N’Jadaka and claiming his rightful place as Killmonger. He challenges T’Challa for the throne, leading to a brutal fight. Killmonger ultimately wins and becomes king after killing Zuri and throwing T’Challa over the falls.

Killmonger rules as king, seeks to burn the heart-shaped herbs for future rulers, and confronts his past in the ancestral plane. He reflects on his father N’Jobu’s death and his own experiences of oppression, solidifying his resolve with visions of his father and brother.

Nakia, Ramonda, and Shuri journey to find the Jabari tribe to help revive T’Challa, who is in a coma. Shuri’s technology helps heal him, and T’Challa awakens, vowing to fight Killmonger. He seeks M’Baku’s aid against the new threat to Wakanda.

War erupts as Killmonger attacks Wakanda with W’Kabi, armored rhinos, and the Jabari joining the fight. T’Challa returns as Black Panther, battling Killmonger and W’Kabi’s forces. They engage in a fierce melee in the vibranium mines, ending with T’Challa's victory.

T’Challa defeats Killmonger in their final fight, using vibranium tech to expose him. Killmonger, accepting his fate, requests burial at sea with his ancestors before succumbing to his wound. T’Challa mourns and takes his place as ruler of Wakanda once more.

T’Challa reclaims his throne and plans to open Wakanda to the world. He establishes a Wakandan outreach program with Nakia and Shuri, buying the old Killmonger apartment to symbolize a new beginning. The scene ends with T’Challa showing the world Wakanda’s power.

T’Challa, Nakia, Shuri, and Okoye appear at the United Nations to declare Wakanda’s new openness and willingness to collaborate with the world. This marks Wakanda’s transition from secretive to engaged international partner.

Three Wakandan children in a hut are told not to bother someone inside. The door opens to reveal Bucky Barnes, indicating his new status as a Wakandan and connection to T’Challa’s emerging world.