The film is based on Jules Verne's classic 1870 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, and was adapted by Stephen MacLean.

[2] In 1866, a mysterious sea monster is hunting the depths of the oceans and rising only to attack and destroy innocent ships at a cost of many lives.

Marine expert Professor Pierre Aronnax, his faithful companion Conseil and harpoonist Ned Land, set out aboard the Abraham Lincoln from Long Island in search of said monster.

The professor learns of Captain Nemo's hatred towards mankind, for he had lost his wife, children and family to them, and now sought revenge by destroying as many ships as he encountered.

Spying inside the captain's private chamber, the professor, Conseil and Ned discover Nemo's plan of travelling to the seas of Norway, where he will have the ultimate revenge by destroying the ship responsible for the loss of those dear to him.