Trama

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

Victoria, a young white cat, is abandoned by her owner on the streets of London in the middle of the night. Witnessing this, a group of alley cats introduces themselves as the "Jellicles." Mr. Mistoffelees, Munkustrap, Cassandra, and Demeter take Victoria under their wing and show her the world of the Jellicles as they prepare for the Jellicle Ball-an annual ceremony where cats compete to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be granted a new life.

The competitors at the Jellicle Ball are introduced, each singing about themselves. Jennyanydots is a domestic tabby who sleeps during the day and boosts the productivity of mice and roaches at night. The Rum Tum Tugger is an extravagant yet indecisive cat who stirs up excitement among the others. Bustopher Jones is a portly cat who boasts about his size and shares food scraps from the garbage. Skimbleshanks is a tidy ginger cat who tap dances and supervises a train's operations. Gus, an aged theatrical cat, reminisces about the significant roles he has played throughout history.

Victoria also encounters the mischievous twins, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, who love causing trouble in their human family's home. They persuade Victoria to join in their antics but leave her tangled in necklaces when the family dog becomes aware of their presence. Fortunately, Mr. Mistoffelees comes to Victoria's rescue, distracting the dog and helping her escape. They return to the group just in time for the arrival of the tribe's wise and beloved matriarch, Old Deuteronomy.

The Jellicle Ball begins inside the abandoned Egyptian Theatre. Victoria dances a ballet solo in the moonlight but is distracted when Cassandra begins harassing Grizabella, a former glamour cat banished from the tribe for various reasons, including her past association with Macavity, a notorious criminal and con artist capable of teleportation. Victoria relates to Grizabella's feelings of abandonment. As Grizabella slinks away into the streets, Old Deuteronomy observes their quiet camaraderie and assures Victoria that she can become a Jellicle herself in time.

A seductive fame fatally named Bombalurina interrupts the ball, captivating the Jellicles with a song and dance number that praises Macavity while simultaneously incapacitating them with catnip. When Macavity arrives and demands to be named the Jellicle Choice, Old Deuteronomy deems him unworthy. He subsequently kidnaps her, taking her along with several other contestants he has captured.

As the Jellicles recuperate, distressed over the disappearance of their leader, Victoria suggests that Mr. Mistoffelees use his powers to conjure Old Deuteronomy back. After several attempts, he successfully makes her reappear. The cats rejoice, praising Mr. Mistoffelees, and he and Victoria dance together. Meanwhile, a frustrated Macavity and Bombalurina heliport away from their captives, who begin to free themselves, aided by Jennyanydots' costume transformation. Macavity leaves his lackey, Growltiger, to face the liberated cats alone.

Grizabella returns to the Egyptian Theatre, and Victoria advocates for her, urging her to sing about her true feelings. Grizabella delivers a passionate ballad reflecting on her mistakes, lost glory, and beauty, emotions that resonate with the Jellicles. Old Deuteronomy names Grizabella the Jellicle Choice and sends her off to the Heaviside Layer in a chandelier, magically repaired by Mr. Mistoffelees to float like a hot air balloon. In a final effort to reach the Heaviside Layer, Macavity leaps onto the chandelier's rope but falls onto Nelson's Column instead.

The Jellicles, reunited with their kidnapped friends and perched on a lion statue, watch Grizabella ascend as the morning sun rises above the horizon. After the gathering disperses, Old Deuteronomy warmly welcomes Victoria into the tribe.