In 1926, the British wizard and Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York City by ship, heading towards Arizona. The Wizarding World is on the brink of chaos, facing threats from dark forces led by the notorious Dark Wizard Grindelwald, whose whereabouts remain a mystery. In the U.S., the ownership of magical creatures is strictly forbidden, and Percival Graves [Colin Farrell], a high-ranking Auror and Director of Magical Security for MACUSA, is hot on the trail of Grindelwald. Concerned over a recent incident involving a magical beast, MACUSA President Picquery fears that the creature's attack could invoke panic among No-Majs.
As Newt navigates the city, he encounters Mary Lou Barebone, a non-magical woman who leads the New Salem Philanthropic Society. During one of her speeches, a mischievous Niffler escapes from Newt's magically expanded suitcase. In the chaos that ensues, Newt meets Jacob Kowalski [Dan Fogler], an aspiring baker whose briefcase mistakenly gets swapped with Newt’s. While trying to capture the Niffler, Newt inadvertently draws attention and ends up in a bank where he displays his magical abilities to evade capture.
After the commotion, Tina Goldstein [Katherine Waterston], a demoted Auror, apprehends Newt for being an unregistered wizard and failing to wipe Jacob's memory. Struggling to regain her position, she learns that Newt's intentions revolve around finding a rare Appaloosa Puffskein. However, following some shenanigans involving Jacob's suitcase, Newt is briefly released.
Amidst the unfolding drama, Henry Shaw Sr., the owner of a newspaper, dismisses Mary and her children, calling them freaks and ignoring their claims of magical occurrences. Meanwhile, Tina introduces Newt and Jacob to her Legilimens sister, Queenie [Alison Sudol], whose ability to read minds sparks a mutual attraction between her and Jacob, complicated by strict wizarding laws prohibiting interactions with No-Majs.
Inside Newt's suitcase, Jacob discovers an Obscurus, a dark force within magically gifted children who suppress their powers. Newt reveals his mission to return a Thunderbird, a creature in dire need, to its natural habitat. After a series of encounters, the group manages to capture the escaped beasts, but not before being accused of a senator's death due to one of Newt's creatures. Things take a dire turn when Graves [Colin Farrell] magnifies the situation, claiming Newt is a conspirator with Grindelwald, leading to disastrous consequences.
In a desperate bid for freedom, the trio - Newt, Tina, and Jacob - find themselves involved in a chaotic attempt to regain control, battling Graves and the dark forces at play, while Credence Barebone [Ezra Miller], Mary's troubled adopted son, struggles with his own inner demons. As the destruction intensifies, Graves reveals his true identity as Grindelwald while manipulating the events for his advantage.
Ultimately, amidst the magical chaos and impending exposure of their hidden world, Newt ingeniously releases the Thunderbird to create a rain that restores New Yorkers' memories, shielding them from the truth. As he departs for Europe, Newt promises to revisit Tina and leaves behind a legacy that ties both Jacob's bakery dreams and the memory of their magical escapades together, demonstrating that the bonds they forged would linger long after their adventures.
