Based on the popular 1970s TV series, the story follows the titular pair of bachelor undercover cops (Ben Stiller as Dave Starsky, Owen Wilson as Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson), focusing on how the duo first met and teamed up on their first big case: uncovering a cocaine operation run by a big-time drug dealer named Reese (Vince Vaughn).

The two zoom around town in a red and white 1974 Ford Torino, solving crimes with the help of Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg), their street informant, and annoying their boss, Capt. Dobey (Fred Williamson).