The sound of an orchestra tunes up. The ornate house lights dim, voices hushed. The music starts. The orchestra is loud and dramatic. A backstage lever is pulled, a sandbag drops from the rafter. "Places, everyone." The owner said. A stage light turns on and points towards the stage. A monkey stands in the wings and pulls tightly on a rope. The curtain opens, revealing a stage set resembling an enchanted wood. Nana Noodleman is in a stunning purple dress and a tiara waiting to go on stage. Stage hands adjust the train of her gown. Nana's shoulders rise and fall as she takes a last breath before stepping out. As Nana raises her face into the spotlight she sings Golden Slumbers by the Beatles.

Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep little darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby...

Buster Moon's father is propping him on his lap. "This was it. The moment it all began. The moment an ordinary little guy fell in love with theater. Everything about it. The lights, the way the scenery moved, even the smell. He was only six years old, but his plans to become the first koala bear in space were suddenly toast." Buster's father delights in his son's response to the show.

Time Skip

Buster is about to cut a ribbon in the theatre foyer. His father stands proudly next to him and a picture is taken, freezing the action in a photo. "Some folks may have said he grew up to be the greatest showman the city has ever seen. Some called him a visionary. A maverick." The photo hangs on a wall amongst posters for theatre productions. "Sure some folks said he was as crazy as he was stubborn, but I say wonder and magic don't come easy, pal. And oh, there would never be any doubt. At the base of this wall of photos Buster sat in a chair facing his posters. He spins around. "The name Buster Moon would go down in entertainment history. And I should know, because I am Buster..."

Suddenly the door knocks. "Moon! Open this door!" Someone shouted. Buster is startled as if waking from a dream. The secretary, Miss Crawly, a spectacularly doddery old lizard with one glass eye, along with a (F/a) enters through a connecting office door. "Good morning, Mr. Moon." Miss Crawly greeted. "Hey dad." (Y/n) said. "(Y/n), Miss Crawly. What, uh... What's going on?" He asked. "You got a lot of animals waiting to see you." (Y/n) replied. "I do?" He looks out the window. "Holy moly, I really do." A group of angry animals are waiting and pacing in the hall outside his office. Knocking and shouting continues throughout. "Yeah, it's the stage crew from your last show. They say that their paychecks bounced." Miss Crawly said. "Tell 'em I'll call up the bank and make sure they're paid toute suite." Buster whispers to Miss Crawly. "Oh, I got Judith from the bank holding on line two right now, sir." She points towards a red light flashing on Buster's telephone. "Um, actually, I'm going to have to call her back." Buster grabs a briefcase and dashes across the room. "Oh. What should I tell her this time?" She asked. Buster moves a large old poster to reveal a small hole in the wall. "Tell her Buster Moon is out to lunch." He replied. "Meet you there, (Y/n)."

Buster crawls across the narrow planks that crisscross very high above the stage, the stuff of vertigo. "Moon! Open this door! Come on, Moon! I know you're in there!" Buckets half-filled with rainwater are beneath holes in the roof, line his path. Buster steps onto a large wooden crescent moon prop. Buster releases a tethered rope. A counterweight rises and the moon drops with Buster riding it like an elevator. The crescent moon carries Buster down from the rafters and stops on the stage which is looking old and shabby.

Buster exits the theatre present day: a little worse for wear and squeezed between two larger, more modern buildings. The angry animals shout his name as Buster hops on a bicycle and cycles off down the street. "Moon! Open this door!" He goes down the hill at top speed. He speeds down the street, nearly hitting a garbage truck, and goes in between a couple taking a picture. Buster swerves, avoiding cars. A rhino cop directing traffic with a shrill whistle. A pig rides a scooter over a canal bridge under which a whale surfaces momentarily. "Hey, watch it!" Salmon wearing neckties leap up water-filled steps Buster bikes down the same steps. At the end of an alleyway a beautiful voice is singing acapella: The Way I Feel Inside by The Zombies.

JOHNNY: In your mind, could you ever be
Really close to me?
I can tell by the way you smile
If I feel that I
Could be certain then
I would say the things I want to say to--

The sound of a walkie-talkie cuts Johnny off. Johnny looks around the corner to see 2 police rhinos strolling in his direction. Johnny gasps and he ducks back into the shadows of the alley just as the cops appear, mildly curious. "Hmm, thought I heard someone singing there. Ah, whatever." Johnny whispers urgently into his walkie-talkie. "Guys listen. Stay where you are. The cops are here in..." Too late. Two huge gorillas in bunny masks carrying sacks of loot smash through a window further down the alley, and alarms go off. "What are you... Hold it right there! Yeah, I'll get him!" The gorillas see the cops and run off down a perpendicular alleyway. The cops charge past Johnny still hiding in the shadows, but they are forced back against the wall as the gang's truck roars around the corner, then charges right past. "Go, go, go!" Big daddy shouted. "Whoa!" As the truck passes Johnny, he leaps onto the back where the two other gorillas cling to their loot. The leader (Big Daddy) scolds his son. "Johnny, you were supposed to be keeping a look out!" He shouted. "Sorry Dad." Johnny said. "And where is your mask?" Johnny awkwardly pulls on a bunny mask.

Sirens wail as the van takes a hairpin bend. Meanwhile Rosita, (a female pig) washing dishes while singing along with the radio playing Firework by Katy Perry.

ROSITA: Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel
Feel so paper thin...

As she re-fills their glasses, some of the piglets cringe at her singing. Another piglet (Caspar) leaps onto the table. "Look at me, I'm Mommy! La, la, la, la!" He badly mimics Rosita and the piglets roar with laughter. "Casper, get off the table." He doesn't listen, so Rosita has to grab him instead. Norman, Rosita's husband, enters wearing a suit and tie. "Rosita, have you seen my car keys?" Rosita pulls the car keys out of a piglet's mouth and hurls them at Norman before dealing with Caspar who still makes fun of her. "La, la, la, la!" "Norman, would you please tell them what a good singer I am?" Norman checks his phone. "Oh, yeah, you were great, honey." He kisses Rosita on her cheek. "By the way, the bathroom sink is blocked again. Bye, honey!" He then leaves. She walks to the window, turns up the radio, and stares into the distance as she leans against the windowsill. "1, 2, 1 2 3 4!" A surly Goth porcupine duo (Lance and Ash) perform an original song I Don't Wanna. Imagine Siouxsie Sioux and Robert Smith, but bristling with black quills and playing electric guitars.

LANCE: I don't wanna talk to ya!

ASH: Nothing to say!

LANCE: I don't wanna walk with ya!

ASH: Outta my way!

LANCE: I'm not gonna play for ya!

ASH: Don't wanna play!

LANCE: I don't need anyone else!

ASH: Yeah, yeah!
I live my life by myself
Yeah, yeah!

Lance plays it cool but Ash gets carried away, kicks over her own mic, and joins Lance on lead vocals at his mic. "Can't stand the things that you say!" Ash said. Lance pushes Ash off of his mic. "I'm not listening to you any—" But the music suddenly stops. A cheesy Hawaiian-style bar is empty except for the owner; A bear called Harry in a Hawaiian shirt, pulled the plug and holds it up. "Oh my gosh. I thought you guys said you were musicians." Harry said.

Minutes later...

Ash and Lance pack up and the next band set up/tunes. "Ash, babe, I'm the lead singer, okay? Just stick to the backing vocals." Lance said. "Sorry, I... I get carried away." Ash said. "Yeah, I know, right. It just kind of ruins my song, you know?" Lance asked.

Meena (a female teenage elephant) lights the last of 70 candles on a birthday cake.

MEENA'S FAMILY: Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday--

Meena carries the cake in while singing Happy Birthday. She has a beautiful voice.

MEENA: Dear Grandpa
Happy birthday, to you

Her grandma, and Mom sigh in admiration. "Aw." Her family said. She chuckles. "What? Come on, make your wish." She said. "Hmm! I wish you'd join the choir. A local band or something." Her grandfather said. "I tried." She replied. "Bah!" Her grandfather said. "Hey, hey, Dad, we've been over this." Meena's mom said. "Sure you would, Grandpa. Now blow out your candles." Meena said. "Humph." Grandpa closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and blows out the candles with his trunk. At a subway station, a lone saxophone reverberates. A white mouse called Mike plays a superb sax solo. A baboon tosses a coin into his case. Mike stops and examines the coin with disgust. "A penny? How dare you! I happened to have studied at the Lincoln School of Music." He said. "Sorry, it's-it's all I got right now." The baboon shrugs. "Oh, is that so?" He jumps down the stairs and grabs the Baboon by the collar. "All right, prove it, pal." He said. "What?" He asked. "Empty your pockets, right now." The Baboon is afraid and awkwardly empties his pockets. Mike checks everything that falls out. The baboon sighs. "Trying to find..." he said. "Wh-what is this you got here?" Mike asked.

"I'm just trying to find..." the baboon said. Mike looks at an inhaler. "What do ya smoke outta this?" He asked. "That's my inhaler." The baboon's money clip filled with bills falls to the ground. Mike grabs it and waves it. "Aha! I knew it!" Mike grabs the dollar. "You all saw it. You all saw it right here. The monkey lied." The animals walking by gasp. "I forgot I had that." The baboon clears his throat. "And next time, pick on someone your own size." Mike flicks the clip at the baboon. "Ya bully!" The wheezing Baboon runs away as Mike continues his song. Meanwhile Buster arrives on his bicycle beside the valet parking attendant, a chimpanzee at a restaurant. Buster sighs. "Take care of her, will you? She may look old and rusty, but she is a classic." He said. Buster and his friend Eddie (A sheep), and his adopted daughter (Y/n), a (F/a) are sitting at a table in this fancy restaurant.

Buster walks away and the bike frame falls apart in the valet's hands. Buster, (Y/n) and Eddie are now inside. "Okay, listen. We all know that my theater has been going through some pretty tough times lately, but as the saying goes, "For every cloud, a silver lining." We've got..." Buster said. "Ah, buh, buh, buh. Hold on right there, Buster. My dad, he heard I was gonna see you today, and he was all like, "Eddie, you tell that koala I'm not funding any more of those shows and that's final." Those were his words." Eddie said. "Well, your dad's right. Those shows were the problem. "War of Attrition". "Rosie Takes a Bow". I mean, nobody wants to see that stuff anymore." Buster said. "So, what do I do?" Buster asked. "Quit?" Eddie asked. "Eddie, come on." (Y/n) said. "What? I'm just saying..." he said. "No. I give them a show they cannot resist, which is gonna be..." A Maître D' clears his throat and takes out a pen and pad. "J-just one more minute, s'il vous plaít." The Maître D' checks his watch, groans, and walks away. "Merci." Buster said. "Don't speak French. They speak English here." Eddie said. "Now, my next show is gonna be, drumroll please..." (Y/n) imitates a drumroll. "A singing competition." Buster said. "A singing competition? Who wants to see another one of those?" Eddie asked in disbelief.

"Everyone! J-j-just think. Your neighbor, the-the-the grocery store manager, that-that-that chicken right there!" A chicken walks by. "Everyone in this city gets a shot at being a star, live on my stage." Buster said. "Buster, this is a terrible idea." Eddie said. "Oh, no, it's not. Real talent from real life. That's what audiences want, and I am gonna give it to 'em!" Buster accidentally bangs a spoon which sends it flying across the room, hitting an ox, making him drop his cell phone in his soup. "C-can we please just get out of here?" Eddie asked. "Don't you want to eat?" Buster asked. (Y/n) points at the menu. "Dad, we can't afford any of this." She said. "Yes, I know, and that's why..." Buster pulls out a lunch box and throws a sandwich to Eddie. "I brought sandwiches." Buster pulls out a lunch box and throws a sandwich to (Y/n), then Eddie. "Uh... is that even allowed?" (Y/n) asked nervously. "No, it's not. And... Ugh." Eddie said. "What, you don't like peanut butter and jelly?" Furious, the Maître D' walks away from the Bull's side and towards Buster. "Excuse me, sir." She said. "Okay, look. I got cream cheese, I got banana..." Maitre D' grabs Buster and (Y/n). "Aaaaa!"

Buster and (Y/n) are thrown out of the doors and onto the street with a painful landing. Eddie arrives by his side and gives him his bag and jacket, Buster then helps up (Y/n). "Thanks." She said. "You both okay?" Eddie asked. "Yep. Never better." Buster said. In Buster's office, Miss Crawly is at her desk until Buster calls through the intercom. "Miss Crawly?" He asked. "Hello?" Her desk fan pans past her face. The force of air so powerful her skin flaps. "Uh, who is it?" She asked. "It's me." Buster clears his throat. "Your boss, Mr. Moon." He said. "Oh, hello, Mr. Moon." She replied. "There we go. Now, I need you to add the following information to our publicity flyers." Buster said. "Yes sir." She replied. "The winner of the singing contest will receive a grand prize of... $935. Hmm. Gonna need more than that. Just a second." Buster grabs the money box. Buster unplugs an old radio, rolls up a small Persian rug, takes off his watch, and hurls all of the above into a prop treasure chest and closes the lid.

"Uh, there." He grunts. "$1,000. You got that?" Buster asked. "Uh, 1000 dollars... Oo! Oh! Ohh!" The blast from her powerful desk fan makes Miss Crawly's glass eye pop out. It bounces on the keyboard, adding 2 more zeros. $1000 becomes $100,000. "Print 'em up on every single sheet of paper we have left and let's spread the word right away, okay?" Miss Crawly's glass eye rolls across the floor and under the stool. "Yes, uh, yes, sir." She pushes the printer button and looks for her eye, not noticing her error. "Oh, okay. Come on out of there." Buster walks to the window and takes a deep breath,

looking out at the city below. He pets the window sill like a sea captain at the wheel. He inhales deeply. "Ah, the winds of change." A little wood and paint crumble under his paw. "Yep, when this show's a hit, I'm gonna get you a fresh coat of paint." Buster and (Y/n) open the door to Miss Crawly's office. "How are we doing with those fliers, Miss Crawly?" Buster asked. She turns from the printer holding lots of flyers. "Oh, yes, sir. We're all good to go here." The fan blows the flyers out the window. "Whoa..." she said. "Miss Crawly, no! No, no, no, no, no, no!" (Y/n) shouted. bright orange flyers fly across the sky. "Oopsie-Daisy." She said, and Buster sighs. "Oh, well, I guess that's one way to spread the word." (Y/n) said. The leaflets swoop around the city, lift on the breeze, blown by air-con units, sent up by steam rising from manhole covers and the thrust of traffic.

Ash and Lance stand hand in hand on the subway platform. The flyers fly by and stick to their quills. Ash pulls one off of Lance's body and reads it. "Hey, Lance, look at this." Lance steps onto the subway train and rides off, leaving Ash standing on the platform, reading the flyer. "Ash, babe, hey!" Lance said from inside. As she reads, Ash's face lights up and orange flyers fly around. She runs after the train, waving the flyer. Johnny closes the steel shutters. An orange flyer creeps in underneath and he reads it, then slips the flyer into his coat pocket. Meena hums as she waters flowers.

Her mom and grandpa tap her on the shoulder and held up the flyer. "Meena!" Her mother said. A nun dog reads a flyer before tossing it over her shoulder like trash, and it lands on Mike, interrupting his song. "Hey, hey, hey! What do ya think you're...?" Mike reads the flyer, and his anger turns to joy. Rosita wearily washes a huge stack of dishes by the window, the phone between her ear and shoulder. "Uh-huh. Yeah." She notices a flyer sticking against the glass. As it slides down, Rosita tilts her head to read it. She is so distracted and the phone slips into the sink and her face lights up. The next morning, Buster sleepily reaches to turn off his alarm. Buster yawns, sits up, and bangs his head on the ceiling. "Ow. Mmm." He brushes his teeth and smiles at his reflection, pulls on a jacket, laces his shoes, and fixes his tie. "Let's go to work." He opens the door to the drawer in Buster's desk. He jumps into his chair and spins into the highest position.

"And cue my daughter and the crazy old lizard." The duo come in. "Good morning, Mr. Moon." Miss Crawly.said. "Indeed, it is, Miss Crawly. Top of the morning to you." Buster said. "I made you some coffee." Miss Crawly. said. "Um, Miss Crawly, the cup is empty." (Y/n) said. "Oh, I got a little thirsty on the way up those stairs." She stops at Buster's withering look. "Should I open the doors now?" She asked. "The doors?" He asked. "Well, you've got a line of animals waiting in line to audition, dad." (Y/n) said. "I do?"

Buster rushes to the window and is so shocked his coffee cup falls and hits the floor. "Holy moly, I really do." There is a line of animals around the block and a news truck pulls up. Buster stands on his desk with the phone to his ear. "I swear to you, Eddie, this is no joke. Look, just get down here and see for yourself. I gotta go." Buster hangs up. "Ha haa! This is it, Miss Crawly. Get your scaly tail downstairs and throw those doors open wide." Buster said. Miss Crawly addresses the crowd with a bullhorn. "Okay, um, one at a time, please. Calm down." Buster stands beside Miss Crawly. Buster sits at a small desk stationed in the audience. On stage, prawns sing Crazy in Love by Beyoncé inside a tank. They do flips to show off.

PRAWNS: Got me lookin' so crazy right now
Your love's got me lookin' so crazy right now
(Woo), got me hoping you'll page me right now
Your love's got me hoping you'll...

(Y/n) and Buster dance along, and Miss Crawly writes down their reaction on her list. Gunter (a Scandinavian pig in a gold tracksuit) sings Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Outrageous and uninhibited.)

GUNTER: Ra-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ro-ma-ma-ma-ma
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance!

(Y/n), Buster and Miss Crawly's eyes are wide open in surprise. A quartet of frogs sings Jump by Van Halen. They leap in time with the words.

FROGS: Jump! Jump! Jump!
Might as well jump!

Rosita stands by the door sending her piglets off to school. "Bye, Iggy. Bye, Perry. Bye, Carla. Bye, Gail. Bye, Rory. Bye, Mickey. Bye, Moe. Bye, Nelson. Bye, Hannah. Bye, Tess. Bye-bye, Casper. Phew!" The door slams. She looks at the flyer in excitement. Rosita grabs her bag and rushes to the door. Rosita runs out of her apartment block and down the street. A sheep sings Kiss from a Rose by Seal. Dreadful.

SHEEP: Baby, I can take you a kiss from a rose

5 female Red Pandas (Q-Teez) perform an ultra-energetic nonsensical version of Kira Kira Killer by Kyray Pamyu Pamyu

Q-TEEZ: L! U! C! K! L! U! C! K!

(Y/n) and Buster look weirded out but Miss Crawly seems to enjoy it. A barbershop quartet of turtles sings Donovan's I Love My Shirt.

TURTLES: I love my shoes. I love my shoes.

A bull sings an awesome version of Butterfly by Crazy Town.

RICHARD: Come my lady
Come come my lady
You're my butterfly
Sugar, baby

A lively news reporter dog interviews a hippo waiting in line. Enthusiastic crowds wave into the camera. "Uh, let's hear from a few more of the folks in line. What about you, sir?" Bob asked. "Well, Bob, I'm a lab technician for a leading pharmaceutical company, but I was born with a gift. And that gift is to sing."

(INT. MOON THEATRE – DAY)

A hippo sings Stout-Hearted Men by Shooby Taylor.

HIPPO: Plav da shree, loh ku pah, dav du sah!
Soo-da-li dwee-daht, soo-da-li doo-ton
Plah-blah!

Three female rabbits sing and twerk to Anaconda by Nicki Minaj. Buster seems to enjoy it and Miss Crawly looks horrified with Buster shielding (Y/n)'s eyes.

BUNNIES: Oh my gosh!
Look at her butt!
Oh my gosh!
Look at her--

The end of Ash and Lance's performance is extremely loud. (Y/n), Buster and Miss Crawly almost get blown away

LANCE: I live my life by myself!

ASH: Yeah, yeah!

LANCE: Can't stand the things that you say!

ASH: Yeah, yeah!

BOTH: I'm not listening

The song ends but Ash cannot help stepping to the mic and holding that last note in a charismatic pose.

ASH: Anyway! Yeah!

Lance scowls but Buster and (Y/n) are impressed with Ash.

A llama with an acoustic guitar starts to play but keeps stopping to tune the strings. Buster and (Y/n) are tortured. 3 young parrots bumble their way through Lollipop by The Chordettes.

PUFFINS: Lollipop, lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop

PUFFINS: Lollipop, lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop

Johnny calls to his dad who is boxing with a speed bag. "Oi, Dad. Just going out." His dad pauses to answer. "Well, don't be long. I've got the gang coming over." Johnny closes the door, drops his skateboard, and skates away at speed from the gang's headquarters. Mike is talking to a TV reporter. "Well, look, I mean, I'm sure you're gonna get a lot of namby-pamby animals in here saying things like, "Oh, it's not winning. It's the taking part that counts." Mike said. "Yeah, yeah. Not me, pal. I'm here to win." He points to the orange flyer in his hand. "That prize, it's mine."

An alligator performs The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground.

CROCODILE: People say
"Yo, Humpty. You're really funny lookin'"
That's alright cuz I get things cookin'

A beaver sings Dolly Parton's 9 to 5.

BEAVER: Working 9 to 5

A mother kangaroo pulls a joey from her pouch and holds her up to the mic to sing The Safety Dance by Men without Hats.

SHERRY-ANNE: We can dance if we want to

A line-up of spiders sing The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup.

SPIDERS: Aserejé, ja, de je
De jebe you de--

Pete the Camel sustains a single operatic high note from Nessun Dorma.

PETE: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYY--

Ray the Snail sits on top of the microphone singing Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross.

RAY: Ride
Like the wind!
Ride like the--

Daniel, a giraffe, with the microphone stretched high in the air, to meet his head, sings Michael Jackson's Ben sweetly.

DANIEL: Ben, the two of us need to look no more

(Y/n), Buster and Miss Crawly crane their necks to watch. (Y/n) and Buster seem excited. Johnny performs Stay with Me by Sam Smith beautifully.

JOHNNY: This ain't love it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

"Wow!" (Y/n) said. "Thank you, Johnny." Buster said. "Okay, next up, we have Meena." Johnny runs for the wings where Meena waits nervously. "Good luck out there." Johnny said to her. "All right, come on. Here we go. Come on, you can do it. You can do it. Okay..." She walks up to the stage and accidentally knocks the microphone down. She picks it up. "Oh, I'm s... Oh, I'm sorry. Uh... " she said. "Are you okay?" (Y/n) asked with slight concern. "Hmm? Oh yeah, I... I'm fine." She replied. "Okay. Hey, it's all right. You know what, it's all right." Buster said.

"Take it away, Meena." (Y/n) said. The backing track for Chandelier by Sia begins but Meena stutters nervously. Meena stares at the microphone, panting and struggling. She adjusts the microphone nervously. "Uh, okay. Uh..." she said. "You can do it." (Y/n) encouraged gently. "Uh, um, uh..." The music is drowned out by the beat of her heart. Buster and (Y/n) feel bad for her. "Do you want to start over?" Buster asked. Mike suddenly steps onto the stage and pushes Meena away. "All right, enough of that. That's quite enough of that. That's it. Come on. Off the stage, Helga. Go on. You're useless. Thanks." He said, and (Y/n) glares at the mouse. "Jerk." She mumbled. "All right. Here we go. Hit it!" Mike throws his hat at Buster and begins to sing Pennies from Heaven by Frank Sinatra with a voice as smooth and delicious as chocolate silk.

MIKE: Every time it rains, it rains
Pennies from heaven
Don't you know each cloud contains...

Buster smiles. Meena mopes out of the theatre, fighting back tears. She kicks a tree in frustration. Every leaf on the tree falls on her.

Rosita sings Firework by Katy Perry. Buster takes notes.

ROSITA: You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
Cause, baby, you're a firework