Six years after becoming an accepted member of Parisian society, Quasimodo, Tom Hulce still lives in Notre-Dame de Paris with his gargoyle friends Victor, Charles Kimbrough; Hugo, Jason Alexander; and Laverne, Jane Withers, as its devoted bell ringer. The city hums with daily life, and Quasimodo’s bond with his stone companions keeps his world steady, even as the world outside continues to change around him.
Meanwhile, Captain Phoebus and Esmeralda, Demi Moore, are now married and have a son named Zephyr, Haley Joel Osment, who enjoys a close friendship with Quasimodo. Zephyr’s bright curiosity often leads him toward adventures that mirror the tension between wonder and danger that surrounds Notre-Dame.
A new arrival disrupts the peace: Cirque de Sarousch, led by the wily owner Saroush, Michael McKean, rolls into town during Le Jour d’Amour, a festival built around romance and declarations of love. The troupe’s outward splendor hides a more sinister plan—the performers are thieves who aim to steal Notre Dame’s beloved bell, La Fidèle. The troupe is anchored by a high-wire star named Madellaine, Jennifer Love Hewitt, whose beauty and grace on the tightrope mask a calculating mind. Madellaine has a complicated past; Sarousch uses her history to recruit her into his scheme, reminding her of a moment when, as a six-year-old orphan, she was caught trying to steal money. Instead of handing her over to authorities, he offered food and shelter in exchange for her complicity.
Djali, Frank Welker, Quasimodo’s loyal gargoyle companion, helps guide him toward understanding the growing feelings he has for Madellaine. Their growing bond begins with friendly curiosity—Quasimodo takes Madellaine on a sightseeing tour of Paris, and a storm drives them indoors into Notre-Dame. There, he shares a small figurine he carved just for her, and a kiss on the forehead leaves him faint with happiness when she leaves after their first meeting.
The next day, Esmeralda offers practical advice and urges Quasimodo to confess his feelings. Phoebus, ever suspicious of the circus, reveals that a link might exist between the river of robberies and the traveling troupe. This news ignites a conflict: Quasimodo refuses to believe Madellaine could be involved, Esmeralda worries about prejudice against the Romani, and Zephyr—whose fascination with the circus pulls him in a different direction—begins to see the show as a source of wonder rather than danger.
Sarousch escalates his plan, threatening Madellaine to keep her occupied while he and his men steal La Fidèle. Phoebus presses for answers, and a stolen jewel is discovered. He uses the jewel as leverage, twisting the truth to cast Madellaine as a lifelong thief to protect his own deception. Amid the tension, Quasimodo and Madellaine stroll together, but the weight of suspicion strains their budding trust. When Madellaine pleads with Quasimodo to believe in her, he finally chooses to trust her again, a decision that will be tested by peril.
The thieves infiltrate Notre Dame, and Victor, Hugo, and Laverne are soon trapped beneath a bell as Sarousch’s crew moves La Fidèle toward the catacombs. Zephyr and Djali keep watch from above, with Zephyr’s fearless curiosity driving them forward and Djali slipping away to find a way to help. Laverne bangs her head against a bell to alert those outside, a desperate signal that the theft is underway.
The Archdeacon eventually confirms La Fidèle has been stolen, and Phoebus begins a city-wide hunt for Sarousch. Confronted with the betrayal from someone he trusted, Quasimodo confronts Madellaine and ends their relationship, even as his friends urge him to see the truth through Madellaine’s eyes. Meanwhile, Zephyr pursues the thief’s boat with Djali in tow, who eventually leads the rescue party to the underground lair.
In the Catacombs, the search party discovers Sarousch’s hideout, where Zephyr has been taken hostage and used as leverage to force Phoebus into opening a gate. Madellaine pleads with Quasimodo to trust her once more, and he responds with a daring rescue: he lassos a rock to create a tightrope that Madellaine uses to traverse the dangerous space and reach Zephyr. Madellaine’s courage and Quasimodo’s faith in her bond them again, and together they bring Zephyr back to safety. Sarousch and his men are captured and sentenced to life in prison for their crimes.
As Le Jour d’Amour unfolds, many couples declare their love: Phoebus and Esmeralda reaffirm their bond, while Quasimodo and Madellaine share a long-awaited kiss. Zephyr, eager to join in the celebration, rings La Fidèle to crown the moment of their family’s happiness.
