The movie begins with Professor Utonium creating the perfect little girl using sugar, spice, everything nice, and accidentally adding the mysterious Chemical X. The resulting explosion causes three small girls with superpowers to be born: Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. The professor becomes their father figure and trains them to use their powers for good.
Meanwhile, the villainous Mojo Jojo is plotting to take over Townsville and destroy the Powerpuff Girls. He convinces the girls to disobey the professor and play a game of tag in the city, which causes chaos and destruction. The girls are blamed for the destruction and are banished from Townsville by the angry citizens.
Mojo Jojo uses this opportunity to take over Townsville, but the Powerpuff Girls return to stop him. They must save the city from destruction and prove to the citizens that they are still heroes. In the end, the girls save the day and regain the trust of the people of Townsville.
The movie features the same voice cast as the television series and combines traditional 2D animation with some 3D CGI effects. It was directed by Craig McCracken and produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Cartoon Network Studios, and Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie was released in 2002 and received mixed reviews from critics, but has since gained a cult following among fans of the show.