Ted, a passionate tour guide working at the Bloomsberry Museum in New York City, spends his days giving weekly presentations to schoolteacher Maggie Dunlop and her students. However, trouble brews when the museum's owner, Mr. Bloomsberry, reveals that financial troubles might lead to its closure. Compounding the issue, his son Junior desires to replace the museum with a commercial parking lot. In a desperate bid to turn around the museum's fortunes and win Maggie's affection, Ted makes a hasty decision to travel to Africa. His mission? To retrieve the legendary 40-foot idol known as the Lost Shrine of Zagawa, which he believes will draw crowds.
Things take a turn when Junior, feeling overshadowed by Ted's favorable treatment, sabotages his efforts by burning parts of the map Ted needs to find the idol. Dressed in an unmistakable bright yellow suit topped with a matching hat, Ted boards a cargo ship to Africa. In the heart of the jungle, with the assistance of his guide Edu, Ted discovers the idol, only to be disappointed when he realizes it measures a mere three inches tall. To make matters worse, when Ted sends a photo of the idol back to the museum, its misleading angle tricks Mr. Bloomsberry into thinking the idol is colossal. As fortune would have it, Ted’s journey takes another twist with the arrival of a playful, orphaned monkey who becomes inseparable from him, choosing to follow him back onto the ship rather than face abandonment.
Upon returning to New York City, Ted is astonished to see promotional materials celebrating the shrine everywhere. However, chaos ensues when the mischievous monkey creates havoc in Ted's apartment, leading to Ted's eviction by Ivan, the strict Russian doorman. At the museum, when Ted reveals the true size of the idol to Mr. Bloomsberry, Junior seizes the moment to get Ted thrown out following a comedic mishap involving the monkey and a dinosaur skeleton. With nowhere to go, Ted and the monkey are forced to camp outdoors in a park, deepening their bond as they learn to rely on each other.
The adventure continues as they visit the zoo, where Maggie and her students affectionately name the monkey George, after a nearby statue. A series of comical events unfolds, including George’s temporary flight from helium balloons, illustrating the whimsical nature of Ted’s situation. In a twist of fate, George discovers a way to project the idol's image at an impressive height using an overhead projector. This innovation reignites hope for the museum when Ted shares the discovery with Mr. Bloomsberry, who expresses his pride in Ted’s efforts.
However, Junior’s jealousy spirals out of control, resulting in sabotage that leads to the projector's destruction. Disheartened, Ted announces to the public that the museum will permanently shut down and admits there’s no idol. Struggling with his choices, he pushes George away, inadvertently leading to George being captured by animal control. A heartfelt conversation with Maggie opens Ted’s eyes to what truly matters in life, prompting him to sneak onto the ship to reconnect with George.
In a dramatic turn, they decipher the idol’s hidden map, which leads them to the authentic shrine in the depths of the jungle. Their discovery breathes new life into the museum, which reopens to great fanfare, boasting innovative exhibits that attract throngs of visitors. Ted receives accolades for his heroism, while Junior, amidst his disappointment, finds a sense of belonging working as a valet, earning his father's respect. As a gesture of reconciliation, Ivan invites Ted to return to his apartment, where he shares a tender moment with Maggie. However, their romance is hilariously interrupted when George activates a rocket ship, sending Ted and George on an unexpected adventure around the globe.
