A dog named Bolt has spent his entire life on the set of a television show where he stars as a superhero with various powers. Unaware that his abilities are not real, Bolt believes his mission is to protect his owner, Penny, who also stars in the show. When Bolt mistakenly thinks Penny has been kidnapped by the show's villain, Dr. Calico, he escapes from the set, determined to rescue her. His journey takes him to New York City, far from his Hollywood home.

Once in the real world, Bolt encounters various challenges that make him realize his superpowers don't actually exist. Along the way, he meets a street-smart alley cat named Mittens and an enthusiastic hamster named Rhino, both of whom become his companions. As they travel across the country to find Penny, Bolt's understanding of what it means to be a hero is put to the test. He learns the importance of friendship, loyalty, and self-reliance while discovering his true identity.