Ivan, a majestic silverback gorilla voiced by Sam Rockwell, begins his story by sharing with the audience that he is the star attraction of a traveling circus housed at the Big Top Mall. Raised by Mack (Bryan Cranston), Ivan has spent his entire life performing alongside an assortment of other animals, each with their own unique personality and role in the show. His companions include Stella the wise and gentle Angelina Jolie elephant, Snickers the spoiled poodle portrayed by Helen Mirren, Frankie the neurotic seal played by Mike White, Murphy the firetruck-riding rabbit voiced by Ron Funches, Henrietta, the wisecracking baseball-playing chicken portrayed by Chaka Khan, and Thelma, a chatty parrot voiced by Philippa Soo. Ivan’s closest friend on this journey is Bob, the stray dog voiced by Danny DeVito, who often finds himself in Mack’s attempts to get rid of him.
As the main performer, Ivan puts on a fierce and intimidating act for the circus crowds, relishing his role as the dominant gorilla. Despite his commanding presence, Ivan has a softer side, especially when it comes to Julia, a young girl played by Arianna Greenblatt, the daughter of Mack’s janitor, George. Ivan secretly enjoys her visits, and she shares a special bond with him, especially since her mother, Julia’s mom, is very ill. Mack, meanwhile, worries about the declining number of visitors and comes to the animals with the grim reality that the circus needs to find a way to bring back the crowd quickly.
One day, Julia brings Ivan some of her old crayons, which sparks his curiosity. Ivan diligently sketches a rough image, claiming it’s a beetle, and when Julia returns, she correctly identifies it, delighting him immensely. Later, Bob quietly sneaks into Mack’s office to nibble on Snickers’ food, whispering to him about some news—namely, the arrival of a new animal. Mack introduces the animals to Ruby, a tiny baby elephant played by [Brooklynn Prince], who quickly becomes a favorite among the audience and helps revive the circus’s fortunes. However, the happiness is short-lived when Stella, the elder elephant, injures her leg, making it impossible for her to perform. The doctors later confirm that Stella’s injury is serious; she is unable to sustain herself on her own, forcing her into retirement.
When Stella’s health rapidly declines, she makes a heartfelt request for Ivan to look after Ruby and to find a way for her to be free from her life in captivity, promising that Ivan will find a better world for her. With a heavy heart, Ivan promises and mourns Stella’s passing, her trunk held gently in his paws. Her death marks a turning point for all the animals and prompts Mack to push Ruby harder to improve her act, often responding with frustration and harshness, which begins to change the atmosphere of the circus.
Ivan, increasingly disillusioned with Mack’s treatment of the animals and Ruby’s growing anxiety, starts feeling the weight of his confinement. Meanwhile, Ruby, growing nervous backstage, asks Ivan for a story. Ivan tells her about how he was adopted by Helen (Hannah Bourne) and Mack, recalling how Helen struggled to cope with Ivan’s destructive tendencies and left, leading Mack to buy the mall and transform it into a circus. As the story unfolds, Ivan’s bond with the animals and the human characters deepens.
Determined to protect Ruby and honor Stella, Ivan begins devising an escape plan. He secretly draws pictures with the hope that Julia can interpret and help him get a key to her cage. His drawings catch Julia’s eye, and she shows them to Mack, who naive ly hatches a plan to showcase Ivan as a talented artist gorilla. However, Ivan refuses to perform the act, blowing a raspberry and walking away from the canvas, humiliating Mack in front of the audience. This rebellious act marks Ivan’s refusal to be just a spectacle.
Later that night, Ivan enlists Bob’s help in executing the escape plan. They cleverly trick a security guard, Castello, by taking his keys, which allows the other animals to join the daring escape and flee the confines of the mall. Their gamble pays off, and the animals venture into the unfamiliar outskirts of town, thinking they are heading toward the wild. But to their surprise and disappointment, they find only the urban landscape beyond the trees, and Mack quickly catches up. He’s furious but ultimately fires Castello for his negligence.
Back in captivity, the animals settle into their new reality. Ruby, now safe, asks Ivan to tell her about the wilderness he once knew. Though reluctant, Ivan recalls his childhood with his family—his father and sister, whom he calls Tag, as they played in the mud together. He remembers how poachers invaded their home, leading to the separation and the loss of his father, a memory that haunts him. Ivan keeps a doll called Not-Tag as a reminder of his sister. Ruby offers comfort, telling him he would have been proud of her, and that his father would have appreciated his art.
Julia, sensing Ivan’s sadness, gives him old finger paints resembling the mud he loved to play with, which brings back memories of his childhood. Ivan spends the night creating a vibrant mural on the glass of his enclosure, portraying a lush landscape of trees and a tranquil lake, symbolizing his longing for freedom and home. Just then, reporters arrive after hearing about the animals’ escape, and Ivan’s artistic work captures their attention, sparking protests and a widespread call for his release.
Faced with mounting pressure, Mack finally concedes and shuts down the circus, allowing the animals to be taken to better places. In their final moments together, Mack and Ivan share a tender farewell, emphasizing the deep bond they forged over the years. Ivan is then transported, waking up in a sanctuary that resembles his original home. He is reunited with other gorillas and, in a touching moment, sees Ruby among a herd of elephants, symbolizing hope and a new beginning. Looking up at the sky, Ivan whispers to Stella that he has kept his promise and that he and Ruby are truly free.
In the closing moments, a series of photos and texts recount the real story of Ivan, a gorilla rescued from poachers, who spent years in captivity in America. Ivan was eventually relocated to Zoo Atlanta, where he was able to live more naturally and was known for his remarkable talent for painting.
Mid-Credits Scene: Julia and George visit Ivan in his new habitat, bringing Bob along, who’s now adopted and welcomed by his new family. Mack, proud of Ivan's journey, joins them, happy to see his old friend thriving.
Post-Credits Scene: A flashback shows baby Ivan chasing a beetle, only for him to get tackled playfully by Tag, hinting at the playful and emotional roots of Ivan’s story.
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