In 1927, the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is being held prisoner by the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA). When departing New York City for transfer back to London, he is freed by follower and MACUSA employee, Abernathy. Grindelwald kills his guards and escapes using his transfer carriage.

Three months later, Newt Scamander is appealing to the British Ministry of Magic to restore his right to travel, after losing it during his visit to New York City. He meets with Leta Lestrange, an old friend from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, who is engaged to his brother Theseus. During his appeal, Newt is offered his travel rights returned if he agrees to work for the Ministry of Magic, alongside his brother, in locating the Obscurial Credence Barebone, who has resurfaced in Paris; Credence is believed by many to be Leta's long-lost brother, Corvus Lestrange, the last of a long pure-blood line of wizards, and by Grindelwald to be the only person who can kill his living equal, Hogwarts Professor Albus Dumbledore. Newt rejects the offer as he does not want to choose a side, and the Auror Grimmson is dispatched in his place. After leaving the Ministry, Newt is summoned to meet with Dumbledore, who also asks him to travel to Paris to find Credence.

Newt returns home to discover his American friends Queenie Goldstein and Jacob Kowalski, the latter of which retains his memories of 1926 due to the fact that the ordered city-wide Obliviation affected only bad memories. When Newt asks why Queenie's sister Tina is not with them, Queenie reveals that they have followed her to Europe, and that Tina believes Newt is engaged. After a fight between Jacob and Queenie concerning the ban on marriage between wizards and Muggles, Queenie leaves alone to find Tina. In hope of reconciling with both, Newt and Jacob follow them to Paris.