While escaping the turmoil of armed conflict, young Alma Madrigal loses her husband, Pedro, but manages to save her triplet infant children: Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno. With her, she carries a magical candle that creates a sentient house known as the Casita, which becomes a sanctuary for the Madrigal family. Fast forward several years, and a village thrives under the protection of the Casita, with each member of the Madrigal family blessed with extraordinary abilities that they use to aid the townspeople, celebrated in a musical medley aptly titled The Family Madrigal.
However, things take a turn when Bruno's power of precognition leads to misunderstandings, causing the family to turn against him. Meanwhile, Mirabel, the youngest daughter of Julieta, finds herself ostracized for lacking a magical gift. The story unfolds during the celebration of Antonio, Pepa's youngest son, receiving the ability to communicate with animals. In a moment of fright, Mirabel perceives a vision of the Casita cracking but is dismissed when it appears to be perfectly intact. Driven by a desire to preserve the Casita's magic, Mirabel embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, beginning with a conversation with her older sister [Luisa](jessica-darrow), who possesses superhuman strength. Luisa suggests that Bruno's room may hold vital clues.
Inside Bruno's space, Mirabel uncovers shards of jade glass that, when pieced together, depict an ominous image suggesting her involvement in the Casita's deterioration. As events progress, Mirabel realizes that her family's gifts are beginning to fade, leading to increasing tension during the dinner set for Isabela—who can conjure flowers at will—to meet her betrothed, Mariano Guzman. Amidst the chaos, [Dolores](adassa), who has superhuman hearing, reveals she eavesdropped on Mirabel, and the situation escalates as the Casita fractures yet again. In a surprising twist, Mirabel encounters Bruno hidden within the walls of their home. He reveals that he has always remained close to his family, ultimately agreeing to create another vision for her.
The vision shows the Casita crumbling, alongside a tender scene of Mirabel embracing Isabela. When Mirabel seeks to apologize for the chaos, she instead discovers Isabela's struggle with the weight of perfection and her genuine desire to defy marriage to Mariano. Their heartfelt exchange leads Isabela to unlock more of her powers, allowing the sisters to reconcile. However, their mother Alma uncovers Mirabel's interference and wrongfully accuses her of the family's problems, igniting a fierce argument. This confrontation culminates in a significant fissure that shatters the Casita, extinguishing Alma's magical candle and stripping the Madrigals of their unique gifts.
Later, Alma discovers a despondent Mirabel by the river where Pedro met his end. Here, she acknowledges her mistakes in exerting pressure on the family, realizing that the true treasure lies in their unity rather than in their powers. Through a heartfelt reconciliation, they join forces with Bruno to unite the Madrigals and enlist the help of the villagers to reconstruct their beloved Casita. As Mirabel places the last doorknob, the Casita awakens, and their magic is restored amid a celebration of family bonds. The movie concludes with the Madrigal family finally taking their first photograph together, with Mirabel and Bruno proudly included, encapsulating the film's core message: family is the greatest gift of all.
