A method and an apparatus to provide time based plot data of contents. The method includes extracting a time of requesting plot data, based on time information that is recorded on a predetermined unit-by-unit basis, when a signal to request plot data is received while contents are being reproduced; checking whether there is time based plot metadata corresponding to the requested plot data; and extracting plot data corresponding to a period from a start time of contents to the time of requesting the plot data and displaying the plot data if the time based plot metadata exists.