As the final bell resonates, signaling the close of yet another school year, the spirited Judy Moody sets her ambitious sights on crafting an exhilarating summer experience. Her teacher, Mr. Todd (not a shocker!), tantalizingly mentions that those who can find him during the break will earn a special reward. In a burst of creativity, Judy and her friends devise a thrilling contest to accumulate "thrill points" through daring stunts. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, and the stakes have never been higher.
However, just as the adventure begins to unfold, Amy reveals her plans to fly away to Borneo, while Rocky announces he's off to circus camp for the summer. The facade of Judy's summer aspirations crumbles when her parents inform her that she'll be stuck at home with Frank—an announcement that sends a shiver down her spine. In a desperate plea, Judy attempts to persuade her parents to allow her to join Rocky at camp or hop on the plane with Amy, but fate plays a cruel trick, rendering those chances unattainable.
Feeling dejected, Judy resolves to revitalize the contest with her friends, transforming it into a fierce competition once again. They all agree to raise the stakes, but Frank emerges as a notorious buzzkill, thwarting Judy's attempts at fun with his constant blunders. From dramatic tumbles off a tightrope to unfortunate roller coaster incidents, and a disastrous surfing moment, Frank continually dampens Judy's enthusiasm. The final straw occurs when he abandons her in a horror film, leaving her to confront the scares all on her own.
Just when despair threatens to engulf Judy completely, her parents share another startling revelation: they are heading to California for a family commitment, leaving Judy in the care of Aunt Opal. Initially skeptical of Opal's unconventional ways, Judy soon discovers her aunt is a "guerrilla artist" who transforms common objects into extraordinary artworks.
As the days unfold, Judy and Opal's bond strengthens, inspiring Judy with her aunt’s creative flair. Together, they embark on a project to create unique hats and plan to leave them as quirky installations at the local library, much to the humor and probable irritation of the librarians.
Meanwhile, Judy keeps a close eye on Stink's Bigfoot hunt, which has gained widespread curiosity. Her ambition to be involved in the thrilling escapade intensifies, fueled by dreams of shared fame. But in a comical twist, just as she steps into the spotlight during a news segment, the broadcast abruptly concludes.
Judy and Stink’s quest takes a surprising turn when they catch sight of what could potentially be Bigfoot leisurely ambling down the street. Their adventure takes a detour as the fabled creature hops into an ice cream van. Determined, they team up with Zeke's Bigfoot search club to commandeer the vehicle in pursuit of the elusive beast. However, fate intervenes yet again when they’re intercepted by a news van, triggering a zany chase that culminates in a shocking revelation: Bigfoot is actually Zeke in disguise, helping Mr. Todd, the ice cream vendor, promote his icy treats.
In recognition of their determined efforts, Judy triumphantly receives two front-row tickets to the circus, which she later uses to perform a thrilling act involving Rocky's family.
As Aunt Opal prepares to leave, she shares one last whimsical escapade with Judy, where they humorously adorn lions with hats while accumulating a bounty of thrill points. Judy beams with pride, acknowledging that her aunt played a pivotal role in her summer adventures. In a spirited exchange, Aunt Opal reveals her grand ambition to embellish the Eiffel Tower with 10,000 scarves next year, entrusting Judy with the honor of helping her realize this grand vision. Meanwhile, Judy and Stink savor an unexpected financial windfall thanks to their Bigfoot statue's spontaneous touch of celebrity, resulting from its interaction with the community.
