Journey to the Center of the Earth

Professor Lindenbrook receives a heavy volcanic rock from his student Alec, who is in love with Lindenbrook's niece Jenny. Inside the rock, they find a cryptic message left by Arne Saknussemm, a scientist who had previously ventured into the Earth's core via Iceland. This discovery sets the foundation for their adventurous quest to follow Saknussemm's footsteps and uncover the secrets beneath the Earth's surface.

Lindenbrook and Alec work together to translate Saknussemm's message, confirming that it describes a pathway to the Earth's center. Their excitement grows, prompting them to plan an expedition through the volcanic passage. Meanwhile, Professor Göteborg receives the message but is eager to reach the core first, setting up a competitive race.

Lindenbrook and Alec travel to Iceland, pursuing Göteborg who aims to uncover Saknussemm's route. They are intercepted and imprisoned by Göteborg and his assistant but are eventually rescued by local Hans Bjelke and his pet duck Gertrud. The rescue marks a turning point in their journey as they prepare to descend into the volcanic crater.

After Göteborg is found dead, Lindenbrook deduces he was murdered by Count Saknussemm, who believed he had the right to explore the core as Saknussemm's descendant. Göteborg’s widow, Carla, provides equipment for the journey, demanding to join for her husband's reputation, and Hans and Gertrud also join their expedition.

On a designated date, the team marks the sunrise's position on Snæfellsjökull, then descends into the volcano following Saknussemm’s markings. They hope to uncover the passage to the Earth’s interior, aware that they are being followed by Saknussemm, who seeks the same route for his own purposes.

While exploring, Alec encounters Count Saknussemm, who attempts to take over the expedition as a descendant claiming the right to explore the core. Saknussemm shoots Alec in the arm when he refuses to serve as his servant, leading Lindenbrook to confront and sentence Saknussemm for attempted murder.

The explorers reach a vast underground ocean, where they build a raft to cross. They narrowly escape a family of large dimetrodons, and their raft is caught in a massive whirlpool at the ocean’s center, confirming they are at the Earth's core where magnetic forces are incredibly strong.

Exhausted, they arrive at the opposite shore. While resting, Saknussemm catches and eats Gertrud, leading Hans to attack him. During the struggle, Saknussemm is buried under falling stones, ending his threat. The team then discovers ruins of Atlantis and Saknussemm’s skeleton, with a key pointing to a volcanic chimney.

Using gunpowder, Lindenbrook blows up a blockage in the volcanic chimney. A lava eruption lifts the explorers in a large bowl-shaped formation, which finally reaches the surface. They are ejected away from the erupting volcano, emerging back into the world above.

The team returns as heroes, though they withhold their detailed evidence of the journey. Lindenbrook declines honors but encourages future explorers to follow their path. Alec marries Jenny, and Lindenbrook and Carla express their feelings, symbolizing their friendship and future wedding plans.