In the vibrant yet tumultuous atmosphere of 1960s San Francisco, a young couple, Matthew and Amber, find themselves embroiled in an unexpected and harrowing adventure. After a romantic encounter in the forest, their curious nature leads them to an enclosure that conceals a fantastical creature—a unicorn. However, their curiosity turns to horror when the unicorn, alarmed by their presence, fatally injures Matthew. In a panic, Amber brutally kills the unicorn with a rock, and as dawn breaks, she discovers that they are trapped in a mystical zoo for cryptids known as Cryptozoo.
At the heart of this extraordinary establishment is Lauren Grey, a dedicated cryptozoologist who has devoted her life to rescuing these elusive creatures from the grips of the illegal black market. Her mission is fueled by a childhood experience in American internment camps during World War II, where a Baku named Mariko alleviated her nightmares. Despite her commitment, Lauren often finds herself away from Cryptozoo due to her various rescue missions.
During one such operation, Lauren teams up with Gustav, a charming yet morally questionable faun, in a daring effort to rescue an alkonost from local villagers. Unfortunately, their plan goes awry when Nicholas, a heartless and experienced trafficker in cryptids, abducts the alkonost for his sinister purposes—selling these magical beings to the U.S. military as bioweapons amid the escalating Vietnam War. Fortunately, in her time of need, Lauren is saved by Joan, the enigmatic owner and protector of Cryptozoo, who informs her that Mariko has resurfaced after escaping captivity. Joan persuades Lauren to join forces with a gorgon named Phoebe to find Mariko, as the current administration seeks to exploit her powers against the counterculture movement gaining momentum. Phoebe herself is engaged to a human named Jay, who is aware of her cryptid origins.
Their thrilling search takes them to Orlando, where they rescue a headless man named Pliny and his caretaker. As they return to Cryptozoo, Pliny quickly adapts to his surroundings, while Phoebe struggles, yearning for a world where cryptids can exist freely. Soon after, Pliny reveals he once saw Mariko in Maysville, Kentucky, leading Lauren and Phoebe on a chase that ultimately pits them against Nicholas again. Their quest leads them through an array of intriguing locales, including a gentleman's club named the Black Kitty Cat, and a mystical tarot shop with a black cat emblem. Here, the shopkeeper senses their intent and directs them towards Mariko’s current location, setting off a chain of events that sees them captured by Nicholas's henchmen after betrayal from Gustav.
In a climactic showdown back at Cryptozoo, Lauren and her team find the cryptids they sought to protect unleashed and fighting back against Nicholas's cruel men. In the chaotic fray, the helicopter carrying Mariko crashes, leading to harrowing encounters as Lauren commandeers a griffin to confront her enemies. Amidst the turmoil, they encounter a camoodi and flee into a cave where Amber reveals she has unearthed the last known Pegasus and honored Matthew's memory by burying him.
Caught in a whirlwind of action, Lauren takes to the skies on the Pegasus for a daring rescue, while Gustav makes the ultimate sacrifice to provide her with an escape route. As the neglect and cruelty of man threaten their existence, Lauren realizes that they needed the cryptids more than the cryptids needed them, leading to somber moments as Joan ultimately succumbs to the harsh reality of their predicament.
With a brilliantly devised plan from Phoebe, the group navigates the aftermath of devastation left by Nicholas, who meets his demise at the hands of Mariko, as she siphons his dreams, rendering him helpless. Their collective efforts finally pay off—utilizing the severed horn of the unicorn; they forge a path for the cryptids to leave the confines of captivity and find their freedom. As peace is restored, Lauren encounters Mariko one last time, deciding to let her go free.
Ultimately, Lauren chooses to step away from her tumultuous life as a cryptozoologist, opting instead to serve as a regular veterinarian, nurturing the bond between humans and animals. Her journey culminates in poignant moments, including a heartfelt connection with Amber, who now finds solace in a dog in memory of Matthew. At Joan's funeral, Lauren bears witness to the union of Phoebe and Jay, while reflecting on the sunsets shimmering over the waters where Mariko swims freely—a testament to the magic and mystery of their world, where each creature carved its place amidst both tragedy and hope.
