Seven-year-old Anabel (Mara Wilson) wishes for a fairy godmother after the death of her mother, but doesn't expect anything like Murray (Martin Short), the world's first male angelic guardian. Instead of guaranteeing Anabel's dad a part in a new Broadway musical, Murray manages to turn him into a statue. The problems really begin with the arrival of Claudia (Kathleen Turner), a former fairy who has turned to the dark side and stolen all the other godmothers' wands.

All she needs now to become all-powerful is Murray's wand.