Bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss is transformed into a manic superhero when he wears a mysterious mask. Stanley encounters world-weary detective Lieutenant Kellaway and reporter Peggy Brandt, both of whom are investigating the Mask's activities. Despite the threat of being caught, Stanley is unable to resist the temptation to use the mask again. As the Mask, Stanley interrupts a bank robbery and steals the money to impress his love interest, Tina Carlyle. However, things get complicated when gangster Dorian Tyrell discovers Stanley's true identity and becomes a demonic monster himself. Stanley must save Tina and stop Tyrell before it's too late.

In Son of the Mask, a cartoonist named Tim Avery discovers a magical mask that gives him extraordinary powers. However, when he wears the mask, his life starts to spiral out of control as he experiences a split personality, rivalry, possession, and a showdown with a villain. As chaos ensues, Tim must find a way to stop the mask's power from destroying his life and relationships.