After the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, Prince T'Challa returns to his technologically advanced African nation to claim his rightful place as king. Wakanda, a secretive country, possesses vast reserves of the exclusive and powerful metal vibranium and has developed advanced technology unbeknownst to the rest of the world. During the sacred ceremony where T'Challa is to be crowned, he is challenged by rivals from within his own nation but ultimately secures his position as both king and the protector of Wakanda, the Black Panther. His mettle as ruler is tested early on by the emergence of external and internal threats that seek to undermine the peace and prosperity of Wakanda.

T'Challa's reign faces an unprecedented challenge when he encounters Erik Killmonger, an African-American mercenary with deep ties to Wakanda. Killmonger's hidden history and his radical viewpoints on how Wakanda should use its technology and resources to influence the wider world bring him into direct conflict with T'Challa's ideals. As tensions rise, T'Challa must navigate the complex politics of his nation and the burdens of his predecessors to keep Wakanda safe. In the face of brewing conflict, he draws upon the strength of his allies, including his sister Shuri, a genius inventor, and Nakia, a fearless spy, to maintain the secrecy of Wakanda and protect its people from those who wish to exploit its riches.