Eleven-year-old Annie (Alicia Morton, film debut) has been living in an orphanage her whole life run by cruel Miss Hannigan (Kathy Bates).

After unsuccessful escape attempts, Grace Farrell (Audra McDonald) comes to take the child home to live two weeks with billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Victor Garber) during Christmas.

The plucky orphan worms her way into the hearts of the staff and Mr. Warbucks and even the president of the United States

Even though Mr. Warbucks wants to adopt her, she is still looking for her real parents who left a locket with her when they dropped her off at the orphanage.

Miss Hannigans brother (Alan Cumming) and his sleezy girlfriend (Kristin Chenoweth) pose as Annies parents to gather the reward that Warbucks has offered to Annies real parents.