The story unfolds in London, where a young boy named Quinn Abercromby (played by Christian Bale) witnesses the awakening of ancient dragons after a construction project disturbs their subterranean habitat. As the dragons emerge, they wreak havoc, leading to the near-extinction of humanity.

Years later, Quinn, now a hardened survivor, leads a small group of people living in a fortified castle in the English countryside, trying to fend off the relentless attacks of these terrifying creatures.

The plot takes a turn when a group of American soldiers, led by the charismatic and reckless Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey), arrives with a plan to eradicate the dragons. Their arrival brings new hope but also new tensions, as different strategies for survival and conflict arise. Together, they embark on a daring mission to reclaim the earth from these fearsome beasts, facing immense danger and moral dilemmas along the way.