In London at the turn of the 20th century, young Digory Kirke, whose mother is gravely ill, befriends Polly Plummer, the girl next door. Exploring the attics of their terraced houses, they stumble into the study of Digory's eccentric Uncle Andrew, a dabbler in magic who tricks Polly into touching an enchanted ring that makes her vanish. Digory follows her into the Wood between the Worlds, a quiet place of pools leading to other realms. In the ruined kingdom of Charn, Digory rashly awakens the cold and ruthless Queen Jadis, who follows the children back to London and causes havoc. Trying to undo the damage, they are carried into a dark, empty world just as a great lion begins to sing it into being.