In a vibrant world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey](/actor/matthew-mcconaughey)), a passionate koala, runs a theater. His love for show business was ignited during a memorable childhood performance attended with his father. However, financial troubles emerge when a bank representative named Judith (Rhea Perlman) threatens his dream. In a desperate bid to save his theater, Buster concocts a plan for a singing contest, initially advertising a prize of $1,000. Unfortunately, an error made by his assistant, Miss Crawly (Garth Jennings), results in flyers being printed with a tantalizing $100,000 prize instead, inadvertently sparking a citywide frenzy.
Animals flock to auditions, each with their own unique stories. Among them are Rosita (Reese Witherspoon](/actor/reese-witherspoon)), a dedicated housewife managing her 25 piglets; Mike (Seth MacFarlane), a street-smart mouse; Johnny (Taron Egerton), a gorilla struggling with family expectations; and Ash (Scarlett Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine. Shy Meena (Tori Kelly), an elephant, initially crumbles under pressure during her audition, while Ash's boyfriend Lance (eck Bennett) is turned away from the competition.
As rehearsals begin, Buster remains blissfully unaware of the financial reality while enthusiastically pairing Rosita with an energetic pig named Gunter (Nick Kroll) for a dance routine. In a bid to secure funding, Buster enlists the help of his wealthy friend Eddie ([John C. Reilly), who persuades his opera singer grandmother, Nana Noodleman (Jennifer Saunders), to attend a private screening. Although initially reluctant to invest, Nana's presence is a potential lifeline.
As the competition progresses, personal challenges arise for the contestants. Rosita's focus on home life hinders her dance with Gunter, and after witnessing Lance move on to a new girlfriend, Ash's morale is at an all-time low. Johnny struggles to juggle the demands of his mobster father while pursuing his passion for music, ultimately resulting in his father's arrest. Meena’s attempts to face her stage fright remain unsupported, while Mike indulges in lavish purchases, convinced of his impending victory.
On the day of the screening, chaos ensues as the bears, having just endured a deception, crash the event demanding compensation, intensifying the tension. When Buster's elaborate display of fancy aquatic creatures backfires, a flood results, leading to the theater's ruin and a repossession by Judith. Heartbroken, Buster finds himself crashing at Eddie's family residence.
Despite a failed initial attempt to start anew with a car wash, inspiration strikes when Meena sings Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" amidst the rubble of the theater. Motivated by her powerful voice, Buster decides to host the show once more, this time without prize money, bringing together the contestants for a heartwarming performance in front of family and friends.
As Rosita and Gunter take the stage with Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," the news broadcast draws even more animal spectators, culminating in Johnny's show-stopping version of Elton John's "I'm Still Standing," which reconciles him with his father upon his dramatic prison escape. After a surprise interruption by Judith, Ash performs her original rock anthem "Set It All Free," followed by Mike's rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way." Finally, Meena conquers her insecurities and delivers a breathtaking performance of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing," resulting in a literal collapse of the venue around them.
This impromptu revival turns into a monumental success, captivating Nana, who, witnessing the magic of the performance, chooses to invest in rebuilding the theater. Thus, Buster's dreams are reignited, proving that the show must go on against all odds.
