Three decades have gone by since the notorious Wonder World incident, yet Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) continues to be a prominent figure within the Detroit police force, closely monitored by his loyal friend and Deputy Chief Jeffrey Friedman (Paul Reiser). However, Axel's recent endeavor—a high-speed chase through the bustling streets of Detroit sparked by a gang of clever thieves targeting the Detroit Red Wings' locker room during a critical game—has left the city grappling with significant repercussions.
In light of these events, the police commissioner is pressuring Jeffrey, which leads him to contemplate his retirement. In an unexpected twist, he encourages Axel to reach out to his estranged daughter Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige), a defense attorney based in Los Angeles who is currently under the guidance of Axel's old acquaintance Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), a former Beverly Hills police officer turned private investigator.
Unbeknownst to Axel, Billy has been mentoring Jane in her defense of Enriquez, who has been wrongfully accused of murdering undercover officer Copeland. As the plot thickens, Billy reveals a shocking truth: Jane's life is in jeopardy, and he has been captured by the cartel. Armed with this critical information, Billy hands Axel vital evidence retrieved from the murder scene.
Flying back to Beverly Hills, Axel grows increasingly anxious about Billy's silence. Upon arriving at his friend's office, he is taken aback by a suspicious group rifling through Rosewood’s belongings. In a swift act of defiance, Axel snatches a page from Billy’s planner but is soon pursued by the team through the renowned Rodeo Drive, ultimately leading to his capture.
Once taken to the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD), Axel encounters Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Jane’s former boyfriend, and reunites with longtime ally John Taggart (John Ashton). Taggart eagerly introduces Axel to Captain Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon), a man who has climbed the ranks largely thanks to Axel's mentorship. However, Axel remains suspicious of Grant, whose lavish display of wealth seems inconsistent with his official salary.
Jane eventually secures her father's release, though she is reluctant to mend their fractured relationship. It becomes painfully evident that a troubling secret from Axel's past has driven him and his family into hiding; during an investigation, the Detroit mafia had threatened Axel's family, forcing them to relocate to Los Angeles while he opted to remain in Michigan.
As Axel persuades Jane to join him in uncovering the hidden truths, they are unexpectedly ambushed on Wilshire Boulevard. Fortunately, they are rescued by Abbott, who has been protecting them from the shadows. Axel turns his investigative focus on Taggart, probing him about the troubling things happening at the precinct, and grows increasingly skeptical of Grant's activities. When Taggart staunchly defends Grant while simultaneously sidelining Axel and suspending Abbott, the rampant corruption within the department becomes glaringly obvious.
Despite this alarming discovery, Jane falls victim to Grant’s henchmen, leaving Axel with no option but to embark on a daring mission to rescue his daughter and expose the dark forces at play. Following a tip from Chalino, Axel and Abbott head to the port where the cartel's illicit dealings are operating. Upon arrival, they find Rosewood imprisoned; they quickly devise a plan to free him while aiming to locate the SD card that Billy cleverly hid away. Alas, their efforts are interrupted when Grant calls to announce that he is holding Jane captive.
With Jeffrey’s specialized knowledge, the team manages to track Jane’s whereabouts to the cartel’s lavish mansion. A fierce confrontation ensues as Axel, Rosewood, and Abbott—later joined by Taggart—square off against Grant's powerful cartel army. Meanwhile, Jane seizes her chance and manages to escape her captors. In the chaos, Axel faces off with Grant, sustaining a gunshot wound while shielding Jane, but he continues to confront Grant until Abbott delivers a decisive blow.
In the aftermath of the skirmish, Rosewood and Taggart reconcile their differences, solidifying a newfound bond. With essential evidence recovered, the charges against Enriquez are dismissed, leading to further developments. Axel, recovering in the hospital, shares an emotional moment of reconciliation with Jane, laying the groundwork for healing and a potential life together in Los Angeles. Shortly afterward, Axel enjoys a reunion with Rosewood and Taggart, who have been keeping vigil over him to ensure a full recovery. Axel manages to persuade them to join him for dinner, symbolizing the start of a promising new chapter in their lives.
