Constantly grumpy weatherman Phil (Bill Murray) travels to Pennsylvania to cover the annual groundhog day festival. He makes everybody very aware of the fact that he is far from enthusiastic about the assignment and is actively searching for a new job. But when he wakes up the next day, it is the first day again. While Phil explores the frustrations and benefits of living in a time loop, he starts to change. The fact that he is slowly falling in love with his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell) plays no small part in this.