In 1899 New York City, a charismatic newsboy named Jack Kelly leads a group of teenage "newsies" who sell newspapers to make ends meet. Their livelihoods are threatened when the powerful newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer decides to raise the price that the newsies must pay for papers. Angered and feeling exploited, Jack rallies his fellow newsies to strike against the unfair practice. Together with newcomer David Jacobs, Jack mobilizes the newsboys from across the city to stand up for their rights. They face opposition not only from the newspaper tycoons but also from law enforcement and other forces trying to crush their rebellion.

As the strike escalates, Jack and his friends navigate challenges and form alliances with other child laborers, drawing attention to their cause. Amidst personal struggles and growing tensions, the newsboys band together to fight for justice, catching the eye of a sympathetic journalist who helps publicize their struggle. The movement sparks a larger conversation about labor rights and child exploitation, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that will determine the future of the newsies and their fight for fairness.