During World War II, with the tide turning against the Axis powers, Frank Stokes convinces the US government to initiate a project to save Europe's cultural treasures from the destruction caused by the conflict and the pillaging by the Nazi regime. Thus, an unlikely squad of art historians, architects, and artists is assembled, setting out on a mission across the war-torn continent. Branded as the "Monuments Men," they are tasked with locating and retrieving millions of pieces of stolen artwork before Hitler can destroy them, as per his Nero Decree that orders the destruction of all German possessions as the Third Reich falls.

Their quest takes them through a perilous landscape of warfare and espionage, as the group splits up to tackle the enormous challenge from multiple fronts. They face the daunting task of navigating the front lines, negotiating with military commanders, and confronting unscrupulous art dealers. In their race against time, they must learn to be soldiers as they find themselves in direct conflict with enemy forces. The mission becomes increasingly personal as they realize they're not just protecting pieces of art, but preserving the very culture and history that the Nazis aim to erase.