In a dramatic turn of events during the Neo-Pleistocene age, an enormous asteroid strikes Earth, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs while surprisingly sparing a tribe of cavemen living nearby. This tribe stumbles upon a sizzling spherical fragment of the asteroid, which they ingeniously decide to kick around, thus inventing the game of football in what resembles modern-day Manchester. Cave paintings depicting their football antics come to life.
Fast forward to the Stone Age, we meet a spirited young caveman named Dug]( /actor/eddie-redmayne) portrayed by Eddie Redmayne. He resides in a village led by Chief Bobnar (played by Timothy Spall) alongside a cluster of quirky tribe members, including Asbo (the jittery one voiced by Johnny Vegas), Gravelle (the injury-prone figure voiced by Gina Yashere), and Barry (the not-so-bright member voiced by Mark Williams). Together, they inhabit a crater left by the asteroid—a fertile oasis amid a desolate landscape riddled with volcanoes and wastelands.
One day, Dug proposes a daring idea to Bobnar: to hunt woolly mammoths instead of settling for mere rabbits. However, Bobnar dismisses this audacious notion, insisting that mammoths are far too massive and formidable to pursue. As the tribe, inept and disorganized, struggles to catch rabbits, fortune strikes when one unwittingly collides with Mr. Rock, Barry's silly stone companion.
The plot thickens when a formidable Bronze Age army, comprising colossal War Mammoths, led by the formidable Lord Nooth (voiced by Tom Hiddleston), sweeps into the valley. They declare that the Stone Age is over, asserting their dominion over the land, wishing to amass its precious minerals. In a twist of fate, Dug inadvertently finds himself in Nooth's city, awestruck by the sophistication of Bronze civilization.
Mistaken for a football star, Dug is thrust into an arena where he suddenly realizes the game he once saw in the paintings is real. Yet, his chance at glory quickly tarnishes when he inadvertently scores an own goal and is exposed as a fraud. In a bold move, Dug challenges Nooth's highly skilled local team, led by Jurgend (voiced by Kayvan Novak), to a high-stakes match—his tribe’s freedom for a shot at reclaiming their valley.
Initially dismissive, Nooth reconsiders when he recognizes the potential for profit from the match, although he operates unbeknownst to the scheming Queen Oofeefa (voiced by Miriam Margolyes). Realizing his tribe lacks the understanding of football despite their ancestral origins, Dug takes it upon himself to teach them the rules of the game. During their preparations, chaos ensues when a giant duck destroys their only ball, leading to a low point, with Bobnar urging Dug to abandon hope and accept their bleak fate in the badlands.
Undeterred, Dug and his pet boar Hognob sneak into the bustling city to retrieve new footballs, where they meet Goona (portrayed by Maisie Williams), a spirited vendor who harbors a passion for football. Fueled by her frustration over the exclusion of women, she eagerly steps in to coach the tribe, pointing out that while Nooth's team is skilled, their arrogance often hinders teamwork.
As the match day approaches, the tension escalates. With Queen Oofeefa watching closely, Dug faces a moment of despair, contemplating a forfeit to protect his tribe from a dismal fate. Yet, ignited by their camaraderie and determination, they reject defeat and rally for the game. The match is intense: though they start behind at 3-1, the tribe bounces back, led by Hognob's surprising athleticism and Dug's astonishing bicycle kick. They clinch victory with a final score of 4-3, winning back their valley and the respect of their adversaries.
In a fitting climax, Nooth's plans unravel, leading to his comedic downfall, while Dug's tribe savors their triumph. Ultimately, Goona and even members of Nooth's team join forces with Dug's tribe for a hunting adventure—only to discover that their old foe, the rabbit, is not so easily outwitted.
