A young boy named Lucas Nickle is being bullied by a bigger boy in the neighborhood and, feeling powerless, he takes out his frustration on an anthill in his front yard. However, the ants inside the hill are not just mindless insects; they are an intelligent and organized society. The wizard ant Zoc has created a magical potion, which is used to shrink Lucas down to ant size after he floods their colony, allowing the ants to bring him into their world. Once among the ants, Lucas is put on trial for the damage and terror he has caused.

After being found guilty, Lucas is sentenced to live among the ants and learn their ways to understand the consequences of his actions. During this time, he is taken under the wing of a kind-hearted nurse ant, Hova, who teaches him the values of friendship and teamwork. Despite initial hostility from the ant community, Lucas begins to appreciate his new family but struggles with the idea that he may remain small forever. Meanwhile, the ant colony must brace themselves against the ongoing threats from the outside, including exterminators and other natural predators that challenge their very survival.