Willow is a fantasy film about a baby girl discovered in a river by Ranon and Mims, the children of Willow Ufgood, a dwarf farmer and magician. The baby girl is taken into the care of Willow's family.
But when a terrifying dog-like creature attacks Willow's village while tracking down the baby, Willow consults the village council and the wizard The High Aldwin.
The High Aldwin gives Willow a task and Willow leaves the village to give the baby girl to a responsible person. Willow soon learns the baby is Elora Danan, destined to bring about the downfall of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda.
Joined by his allies: swordsman Madmartigan, sorceress Fin Raziel, and the Brownies Franjean and Rool, Willow takes it upon himself to protect Elora from Queen Bavmorda, who intends to kill Elora and prevent her from fulfilling her destiny.
Willow and his allies are pursued by Queen Bavmorda's daughter Sorsha and the evil commander of Queen Bavmorda's army General Kael, who are searching for Elora to bring her back to Queen Bavmorda's castle. Queen Bavmorda plans to kill Elora in a ritual and prevent the prophecy of her downfall.