During World War II, four siblings named Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are evacuated from London to the countryside for safety. They stay with an eccentric Professor and his housekeeper, Mrs. Macready. The children are excited about exploring the old and mysterious house, which is filled with hidden passageways and curiosities.
Lucy, the youngest of the siblings, is initially apprehensive about the Professor, but the children are thrilled about the prospect of their countryside stay. Due to the rainy weather, they decide to explore the house. In one room, they find an empty wardrobe adorned with intricate designs. While Susan, Edmund, and Peter lose interest and leave, Lucy stays behind and steps into the wardrobe. To her surprise, she finds herself in a wintery wood with falling snow. She realizes that the wardrobe is much larger on the inside than it appeared. Curious, she walks towards a lamppost in the distance, wondering why there would be a lamppost in such a peculiar place. As she explores, she encounters a faun named Mr. Tumnus, who is carrying parcels and an umbrella. Mr. Tumnus is astonished when he sees Lucy and drops his packages.
Mr. Tumnus quickly composes himself and asks Lucy if she is a human, referred to as a "Daughter of Eve." Confused by the question, Lucy learns that Mr. Tumnus is fascinated by her origins and how she entered Narnia, the wintry land they find themselves in. Mr. Tumnus invites Lucy for tea, and she agrees, though she assures him that she cannot stay for long. They journey to his home, where Lucy enjoys delicious food and listens to marvelous tales of life in the forest with magical creatures. Mr. Tumnus plays enchanting music on a miniature flute, which lulls Lucy
into a dreamlike state. When she snaps out of her trance, she realizes it is time to return home. Mr. Tumnus begins to cry and reveals that she cannot leave. Lucy grows frightened, but she tries to comfort Mr. Tumnus. Grateful for her kindness, Mr. Tumnus confesses that he works as a spy for the White Witch, an evil queen who has brought perpetual winter to Narnia. Humans captured by the White Witch face a bleak fate. Touched by Lucy's compassion, Mr. Tumnus lets her go and hurries to escort her back to the lamppost, where they bid farewell,and Lucy returns through the wardrobe to the Professor's house.
Lucy excitedly shares her adventure with her siblings, thinking that she had been gone for hours. However, Peter informs her that she had only been missing for a few minutes. Lucy attempts to take her siblings back to Narnia through the wardrobe to prove its existence. When they open the wardrobe, all they see is an ordinary cupboard filled with coats. Peter and Susan dismiss Lucy's tale as a childish fantasy, but Edmund cruelly mocks her.
Days later, during another rainy day, the children play hide and seek. Lucy, still curious about the wardrobe, returns to it and enters. Edmund follows her, intending to continue mocking her. However, he soon realizes that this is no ordinary wardrobe, as even his own voice sounds different. He emerges into a cold, snowy wood in Narnia, finally realizing that Lucy had been telling the truth.
Unable to find Lucy, Edmund is about to leave when he spots a sledge carrying a tall, pale woman dressed in fur. The woman claims to be the Queen of Narnia but is actually the White Witch. She demands to know who Edmund is.
Realizing that Edmund is a human boy, a "Son of Adam," the Witch drops her stern demeanor and assumes a kind and caring appearance. She invites Edmund to sit with her, covers him with her fur mantle, and conjures a hot drink and Turkish delight, a delicious sweet treat. The Witch questions Edmund while he indulges in the enchanted Turkish
delight, which makes him crave more and more, to the point of obsession. Unaware of the sweets' enchantment, Edmund eagerly tells the Witch about his family. The Witch is particularly interested in the fact that Edmund has three siblings and reveals her desire to meet them. She promises to make Edmund a king and provide him with endless Turkish delight. Enchanted by the promise of power and sweets, Edmund agrees to bring his siblings to Narnia. The Witch instructs him to return soon and visit her house, which can be seen between two distant hills.
Lucy appears, having just finished lunch with Mr. Tumnus, and is relieved that he has not faced punishment from the White Witch for her escape. Edmund questions Lucy but remains under the spell of the Turkish delight, convincing himself that the White Witch cannot be aswicked as Lucy claims. Together, they go back through the wardrobe. Lucy is excited about Edmund being able to verify Narnia's existence to their older siblings, Peter and Susan. However, Edmund hesitates to admit that he was wrong and misled by the Witch's enchantment.
Lucy and Edmund find Peter and Susan, and Lucy excitedly tells them that Edmund has also been to Narnia. Cruelly, Edmund lies that they were only playing make-believe. Edmund craves his siblings' approval, but Susan and Peter think he is spitefully manipulating Lucy.
Scared that Lucy is "going mad," Susan and Peter decide to speak to the Professor. However, they are surprised by the Professor's response - he seems to believe Lucy. The Professor advises them that "unless any further evidence turns up, we must assume that [Lucy] is telling the truth"(56). The Professor also challenges the pair's logic for thinking that Narnia doesn't exist and suggests that Narnia exists in a separate time, which explains why Lucy thought she had been in Narnia for hours when only minutes had passed in their world. The Professor's advice gives Susan and Peter pause, and they decide to remain quiet about the whole subject, although Peter ensures Edmund stops tormenting Lucy.
Because the Professor's house is so old and peculiar, it attracts a number of visitors. The Professor allows the visitors into the house to look at the rare books and unusual artifacts. One day, Mrs. Macready, who has already instructed the children to keep out of her way, is showing a group of visitors around. The children try to evade the
housekeeper and the visitors, but it seems that "some magic in the house ha[s] come to life and [is] chasing them into Narnia"(60). In an attempt to hide, all the siblings end up piling into the magic wardrobe.
Almost as soon as they enter the wardrobe, the siblings notice that they are cold and find themselves wandering into the winter woodland of Narnia. Peter immediately apologizes for not believing Lucy and suggests that they explore the wood. Susan reminds them that as it is so cold, it might be helpful to take the fur coats from the wardrobe.
Warmly dressed in the borrowed coats, the children start exploring the forest. As they are talking, Edmund lets slip that this is not the first time he has been in Narniaafter all, much to the others' anger. Peter decides that Lucy should be the leader, as she is most familiar with Narnia and deserves it for no one believing her before. Lucy shows her siblings to Mr. Tumnus's cave, but they discover that the White Witch has arrested him on charges of treason. Lucy realizes his treason was allowing her to escape and pleads with her siblings to help the faun. Despite reservations over the fact that they have nothing to eat, the children decide to try and save Mr. Tumnus. The group spots a robin, which leads them further into the woods. Edmund worries that the robin might be leading them into a trap and that they don't know who in Narnia is good and who is bad - on top of the fact that they no longer know the way back home.
The robin flies away and seemingly deserts the children. However, the bird has led the group to a beaver(Mr. Beaver), who is a friend of Tumnus. Mr. Beaver proves his friendship with the faun by revealing a handkerchief that Lucy gave to Mr. Tumnus when he cried during their first encounter.
Mr. Beaver mysteriously says that "Aslan is on the move"(76). Although none of the children know who Aslan is, they all feel a strong sense of emotion when they hear his name. Lucy, Susan, and Peter all experience positive sensations, while Edmund is horror-struck. Mr.
Beaver is scared that the White Witch's spies could overhear their conversation and invites them back to his home for dinner.
Arriving back at the beaver's cozy dam, Edmund notices two hills in the distance. Remembering that the White Witch lives between them, Edmund begins to obsess over the endless Turkish delight that she promised him. The siblings meet Mrs. Beaver and help prepare dinner. The meal ends with a delicious marmalade roll, and when everyone is finished, Mr. Beaver prepares to tell the children all about Narnia and Aslan.
The children learn that Mr. Tumnus has been arrested by the Witch's secret police and likely turned to stone. The siblings, apart from Edmund, are desperate to help the faun, but Mr. Beaver says that the only thing that will help Mr. Tumnus is going to Aslan - a mighty lion and the rightful king of Narnia. Aslan has been absent for manyyears, but prophecies foretell that when he returns, the long winter of the White Witch will end. The plan is to meet Aslan at the Stone Table. However, the beaver reiterates that the prophecy also requires four "Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve" to sit on the thrones at Cair Paravel(92), a castle on the coast. The White Witch justifies her own reign by claiming to be human, but the beavers explain she is actually half-giant and half-Jinn, descended from Lilith(the demonic first wife of Adam in some mythology) and "bad all through"(91).
The siblings are panic-stricken when they realize that Edmund has vanished and want to search for him, but Mr. Beaver sadly explains that he noticed Edmund had a look about him that a person only gets if they have been to Narnia before and eaten enchanted food. Mr. Beaver suspects Edmund has betrayed them and left to join the White Witch. Everyone is uncertain about how much Edmund heard of the plan to meet Aslan, and the group decides to set off immediately, fearful that the Witch will soon be on her way to capture them.
Edmund ventures through the icy forest in search of the White Witch's
home. He attempts to reason with himself that the Witch cannot be as bad as everyone says she is and becomes absorbed in daydreams of Turkish delight and being a king.
On reaching the Witch's castle, Edmund discovers dozens of stone statues of animals and mythical creatures. One of the statues is a lion, and Edmund assumes that the Witch has already turned the infamous Aslan into stone. As Edmund tries to enter the castle, the Witch's chief of secret police, a wolf named Maugrim, meets him. Edmund tries to explain who he is, and the wolf relays his message to the Witch, who orders that he be brought to her.
The Witch is first enraged when she sees that Edmund has come alone but seems pleased when he tells her that his siblings are nearby with the Beavers. The news that Aslan has returned shocks the Witch, who orders her sledge be prepared so she can intercept the children as they make their way to meet him.
The Beavers and Edmund's siblings hurriedly pack and depart to meet Aslan at the Stone Table. The journey is long and difficult, but aftermany hours of walking, Mr. Beaver leads the children to a bare but comfortable cave where they can sleep. The group wakes to the sound of bells they fear belong to the Witch's sledge. Mr. Beaver goes to investigate and delightedly calls to the rest that it is not the Witch but a happy, though unexpected, visitor - Father Christmas. The Witch kept Father Christmas out of Narnia for many years, but his return signifies that "the Witch's magic is weakening"(117).
Father Christmas has gifts for everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver receive a mended dam and a new sewing machine, respectively. The siblings' presents are not traditional children's toys. Peter receives a sword and shield, while Susan is gifted a bow and arrow and a horn. Lucy's presents are a restorative cordial that can heal any wound or disease and a dagger to defend herself. Father Christmas does not intend either Lucy or Susan to fight in the anticipated war between the White Witch and Aslan. Leaving the group with a magically produced pot of tea, Father Christmas departs to spread the magic of Christmas to the rest of Narnia.
Edmund nervously begs the Witch for Turkish delight, but she refuses and only provides him with some stale bread. The Witch orders Maugrim to take his fastest wolves to the Beavers' house and kill anyone they find. The Witch sets out on her sledge with Edmund and her dwarf servant to track down the other children.
The Witch either speaks cruelly to Edmund or ignores him, and he begins to feel regretful and miserable. Edmund suspects the Witch's true nature and doubts that she will honor her promise to make him king of Narnia. Riding through the snow-covered country, the Witch encounters a festive party of animals who are celebrating a feast that Father Christmas left for them. When the Queen hears this, she turns all the animals to stone in a fit of rage, horrifying a helpless Edmund.
As they journey on, it becomes more and more difficult for the sledge to slide. Edmund realizes that this is because the snow is melting and signs of spring are appearing everywhere. After the sledge becomes stuck, the Witch orders them to walk, but she grows increasingly infuriated by the signs that her winter is ending. When the dwarf points out that Aslan is behind the changing season, the Witch threatensto kill whoever next mentions the lion's name.
Edmund's siblings are miles away enjoying the newly blossoming spring and the rest of their journey to meet Aslan. As evening falls, the children arrive at the Stone Table - an ancient table inscribed with unintelligible symbols. All the good inhabitants of Narnia have gathered at the Table and surround Aslan, whom the children can't bring themselves to look at because they are equally awed and frightened by him. In the end, Peter steps forward, and Aslan greets him and the others. Aslan questions Edmund's whereabouts, and Mr. Beaver explains that he has betrayed them. Peter blames himself for being angry with Edmund and driving him away, although Aslan makes no judgment. Lucy pleads with Aslan to save Edmund, and Aslan replies that he will do everything he can.
Aslan shows Peter Cair Paravel, the castle from where the children will
govern Narnia, with Peter as the high king. Suddenly, they hear the sound of Susan blowing the horn that Father Christmas gave her to signal if she was in danger. The creatures run to help Susan, but Aslan holds them back, saying, "let the Prince win his spurs" .
Sprinting to find Susan, Peter sees her scrabbling into a tree while being chased by the wolf Maugrim - the Witch's chief of secret police. Seeing that Susan cannot climb any higher and looks ready to faint, Peter charges at the wolf and slays him with the sword that Father Christmas gave him. Aslan sends some of his supporters to chase another fleeing wolf, knowing it will return to the Witch and will also lead them to Edmund. Aslan reprimands Peter for not cleaning his sword after killing the wolf but then knights him "Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane".
The wolf that fled following the death of Maugrim returns to the Witch and advises her to flee too. Instead of escaping, the Witch orders the wolf to call to arms all her supporters. Recalling that four humans must sit on the four thrones at Cair Paravel to complete the ancient prophecy, the Witch concludes that if she kills Edmund, the prophecy cannot be realized. The Witch is preparing to kill Edmund when Aslan's allies arrive and rescue him, but the Witch transfigures herself and her dwarf servant into a boulder and a tree stump to evadecapture.
Waking the next day, Lucy, Susan, and Peter discover that Edmund has been rescued. Aslan talks to Edmund in private, and though it is not revealed what the Lion says, it leads to Edmund apologizing to his siblings, and the four children reconcile. The Witch's dwarf arrives and requests that Aslan grant the Witch safe passage to discuss something he claims will be to both parties' advantage - Aslan agrees.
The White Witch enters Aslan's encampment and recounts the ancient magic that is "engraved on the scepter of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea" . The rules of this magic specify that the Witch has the right to claim the life of any traitor in Narnia - including Edmund - or fire and water will destroy the country. Aslan concedes that the Witch is right but takes her aside for a private conversation. When the pair rejoin the anxiously awaiting children, the Witch glows with triumph. Aslan announces that
the White Witch has renounced her claim on Edmund's life. When the Witch cryptically questions how she can be sure Aslan will keep his promise, the Lion responds with such a roar that she flees in fear for her life.
After the Witch leaves, Aslan orders that everyone leave the Stone Table, as "it will be wanted for other purposes". Aslan, his supporters, and the children go to set up a new encampment. Aslan doesn't disclose what passed between him and the Witch, but the lion seems distant. Aslan explains to Peter his plan for the campaign against the Witch but warns him that he may not be present for the battle. A feeling of dread settles over camp, although no one is sure why.
That night, unable to sleep, Lucy and Susan go in search of Aslan. Spotting him heading back along the path to the Stone Table, the sisters follow him, but after a while, he catches sight of them. Aslan seems sad and is glad of the children's company, though he tells the girls that they can only go with him if they promise to leave when he asks them. As the lion and the sisters walk on, Aslan becomes increasingly distressed and tells Lucy and Susan, "Lay your hands on my mane so that I can feel you are there" . On reaching the Stone Table, Aslan instructs the sisters to leave him, and the girls feel distraught,although they don't understand why.
Rather than abandon Aslan, Lucy and Susan hide in the bushes and watch as a crowd of the White Witch's followers gather around Aslan. The crowd consists of monstrous mythological creatures, and at the center of them stands the Witch herself. The Witch orders her servants to restrain Aslan, who does not resist. The Witch's followers mock and humiliate the great lion by shaving
his mane before muzzling and beating him. Aslan makes no attempt to fight back and is bound to the Stone Table. The Witch tells Aslan that he is a fool and that she will kill him instead of Edmund to satisfy the old, deep magic, as they agreed in their secret conversation. However, once Aslan is dead, the Witch declares that she also intends to kill Edmund, as there is nothing to prevent her from doing so, and to claim Narnia forever. Lucy and Susan, still secretly watching, are devastated and hide behind their hands so that they don't have to see the actual moment
that the Witch kills Aslan.
The Witch and her army of followers depart to prepare for the battle against Aslan's remaining supporters, leaving Aslan's corpse on the Stone Table. Lucy and Susan emerge and cry over the lion's body. The sisters take off the humiliating muzzle and are at first horrified when they see a group of mice scampering over Aslan, but they soon realize that the rodents are nibbling through the ropes that still bind his body.
As the sun rises, Lucy and Susan look toward Cair Paravel, watching the first rays of light breaking across the horizon. A deafening noise frightens the sisters, who worry that the Witch has returned to further desecrate Aslan's body. Turning around, the girls see that the Stone Table has "broken into two pieces by a great crack that ran down it from end to end; and there was no Aslan". Lucy fears that the Witch has taken Aslan's body, but then Aslan appears, resurrected, and reassures them that he is not a ghost with his hot breath.
Aslan explains that there is an even older, deeper magic than the one the White Witch used. This magic decrees that when an innocent person willingly gives their life in place of a traitor, the Stone Table will crack and "Death itself will start working backwards". Overjoyed,Lucy and Susan climb onto Aslan's back, and he bounds at a magical speed across Narnia. Aslan brings the children to the Witch's castle and leaps over the defenses into the courtyard, which is filled with all the petrified stone creatures.
Aslan revives the petrified creatures by breathing on them. Soon the courtyard is full of living animals and mystical creatures, including a friendly giant called Rumblebuffin. The group searches the castle and discovers more stone captives, including Mr. Tumnus. Lucy is delighted when Aslan restores the faun, and Rumblebuffin knocks down the castle
gate, allowing all the creatures to escape to help Peter fight the White Witch.
When Aslan, Lucy, and Susan arrive at the battlefield, they find Peter and his army outnumbered and struggling against the Witch's forces. Peter is dueling the Witch, using his sword from Father Christmas, but Aslan intercedes by leaping on the Witch, who sees the lion in a moment of "terror and amazement" before she dies. The rest of the creatures that Aslan freed from the Witch's castle rush onto the battlefield to reinforce Peter's army, and the remainder of the Witch's troops cower in fear.
After Aslan kills the Witch, Peter's army quickly overcomes the remainder of the evil forces. The battle has matured Peter, who tells Aslan that they would have certainly lost if Edmund hadn't bravely fought the Witch and managed to destroy her wand. However, Edmund was mortally wounded in the fight, and the siblings now find their brother on the verge of death. Lucy administers Edmund some of the healing liquid that Father Christmas gave her. It restores Edmund to perfect health, and Lucy notes he seems more the person he used to be before he started school and became mean and spiteful.
At Cair Paravel, Aslan crowns the children kings and queens of Narnia and then quietly slips away. The children make no comment on Aslan's disappearance, as Mr. Beaver has warned them the lion will come and go as he is needed. The siblings grow and govern Narnia fairly, while the realm becomes prosperous and harmonious.
Years later, Mr. Tumnus tells the siblings that the White Stag, a mythological creature said to grant wishes to anyone who can catch him, has been sighted in Narnia. The Kings and Queens take a hunting party in search of theStag and find themselves wandering into the woods through which they entered Narnia all those years ago. When the siblings see the lamppost, at first, none of them recognize it. However, slowly, all four begin to feel as though they have seen the lamppost before. Still in pursuit of the White Stag, the siblings follow it into a thicket but soon find that they are moving through coats instead of
trees. Tumbling out of the wardrobe, the siblings discover they are back in the human world. No time has passed since the four made their way into the wardrobe, and they find themselves children once again.
The children rush to tell the Professor everything that happened, and the old man believes everything they say. Hinting that he knows more about Narnia than he has revealed, the Professor advises the children that they will not be able to return to Narnia through the wardrobe but reassures them that they will have many more adventures in the mystical land.