Ninety-something-year-old Jacob Jankowski remembers his time in the circus as a young man during the Great Depression, and his friendship with Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, and Rosie, the elephant, who gave them hope.

Inspired by the story of P.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman), the film follows the visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle and celebrates the birth of show business.