Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie, so she embarks on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse and enters a magical world where fire talks, dogs spy for their wizard owners, and a ramshackle castle flies across the countryside.