Several years after the events that led to the transformation of the dark fairy Maleficent into a figure of fear, the relationship between her and Princess Aurora, the Queen of the Moors, remains complex but largely affectionate. The peace between the magical moorland realm and the neighboring kingdom of Ulstead, however, still teeters on shaky ground. This delicate balance is further disturbed when Prince Phillip of Ulstead proposes to Aurora, envisioning a marriage that could unite the two worlds. Despite her reservations, Maleficent begrudgingly agrees to meet the human king and queen to bless the union, hoping for harmony.

The introductory dinner at the castle in Ulstead sets the stage for disaster. Maleficent and Queen Ingrith, Prince Phillip's mother, clash over their deeply conflicting views on the impending marriage and integration of their realms. An incident occurs that leads Maleficent to be accused of an unspeakable act, igniting tensions between humans and fairies and sending Maleficent fleeing from the castle. Fueled by betrayal and heartbreak, she encounters other dark fey like herself, leading her down a warpath that could forever alter the world she strives to protect. Meanwhile, Aurora finds herself caught between her loyalty to Maleficent and her love for Phillip, struggling to find a way to bring peace and understanding to the escalating conflict.