In rural Spain, Ferdinand is a giant bull with a gentle heart. Unlike his peers who train for the bullring, he has no desire to fight but rather enjoys smelling flowers and practicing non-violence. One day, a tragic misunderstanding leads to Ferdinand being taken away from his peaceful home when he's mistaken for a dangerous beast. He's sent to Casa Del Toro, the training camp for bulls that supply the bullfights, the very fate he wishes to avoid. There, he meets a group of bulls, each with their own ambitions and dreams of glory in the ring, and a calming goat named Lupe who appoints herself as his coach. Ferdinand's gentle nature starkly contrasts with the competitive atmosphere, as he struggles to fit in with the other bulls who are focused on being chosen for the fights.

Ferdinand's quest to return to his family becomes even more complicated when his size catches the eye of a famous matador, priming him for the ultimate confrontation in the bullring. Rejecting this destiny and the culture of violence it celebrates, he is determined to break free and be reunited with the human girl who cares for him, Nina, who is equally keen to have him back. Alongside a team of misfit animals, including the eccentric hedgehogs and a smooth-talking horse, Ferdinand embarks on an adventure to escape his fate and find his way home, challenging societal expectations and proving that you can't judge a bull by its cover.