Stories about a giant sea monster that attacks and sinks ships at sea have captured the public's imagination. Professor Pierre Aronnax, a naturalist, has heard them too and is delighted to join an expedition that will hunt down the monster and destroy it. He takes along his devoted servant Conseil.

On board the Abraham Lincoln Aronnax enjoys the company of harpooner Ned Land, who does not believe in sea monsters. Just as the crew and captain are ready to give up their search, Land spots the monster, lit up like phosphorus and immensely huge. The minute Ned Land harpoons, he realizes he has hit a manmade object. It is a submarine.

The strange submarine sinks the Abraham Lincoln. Conseil, Ned Land and Aronnax manage to survive. They are taken aboard the Nautilus where they meet Captain Nemo. He is very hospitable and offers fine foods, art...