In a remarkable twist of fate, two men from entirely different backgrounds meet in a hospital owned by the wealthy Edward Cole (a billionaire), where they both learn they have terminal lung cancer. Carter Chambers, a dedicated family man and self-taught historian, once aspired to be a history professor but set aside his dreams for the sake of his loved ones. On the other hand, Edward Cole, a sophisticated healthcare tycoon with a string of failed marriages, lives a life of luxury, relishing the finest kopi luwak coffee and often disparaging his valet Matthew, whom he mistakenly calls Thomas.
As they face their impending mortality, Carter and Edward forge an unexpected friendship. Carter had initially created a list of experiences he wanted to achieve before "kicking the bucket," but upon receiving the grim news of his limited time, he loses hope and discards the list. However, enterprising Edward stumbles upon this list and persuades Carter to embrace every item, offering to pay for their adventures. Despite the objections raised by Carter's wife Virginia, the duo sets off on a whirlwind journey across the globe, with Matthew accompanying them.
Their exhilarating escapades include skydiving, racing classic cars at the California Speedway, flying over the North Pole, indulging in meals at Chèvre d'or, visiting the majestic Taj Mahal, riding motorcycles on the Great Wall of China, going on a lion safari in Tanzania, and even climbing Mount Everest. Amid these thrilling experiences, they allow themselves to reveal their deepest fears: Carter admits to his fading feelings for Virginia and the regrets that have haunted him; Edward opens up about his heartache from being estranged from his only daughter, who severed ties after he interfered in her abusive marriage. In a surprising moment during their time in Hong Kong, Edward tries to arrange an encounter between Carter and a prostitute — a proposition Carter vehemently declines, insisting it's time to abandon their bucket list and return home.
As Edward's daughter increasingly re-enters his life, Carter's attempts to bridge the gap between them end in a harsh dismissal from the millionaire. This harsh encounter sends Carter back to his family, but his reunion is abruptly interrupted when he collapses and is rushed to the hospital. The grim diagnosis reveals that the cancer has metastasized to his brain, leaving his future uncertain.
On the other side of the spectrum, Edward's health troubles seem to have passed, and he finds himself at Carter’s bedside, contemplating the fleeting nature of life. In this somber environment, the two find solace in shared laughter and bond over the quirky history of kopi luwak coffee — a conversation that lightens the mood.
As Carter's health declines, Edward finds himself with the heavy responsibility of fulfilling the bucket list his friend had embraced with such zeal. After Carter's passing, Edward gains a sense of closure by reconciling with his daughter and discovering a granddaughter he never knew existed. Filled with newfound purpose, he gently kisses the small girl's cheek, ticking off another item on the list.
The subsequent days are filled with bittersweet memories as Edward delivers a heartfelt eulogy at Carter's funeral, reflecting on how the last three months of his friend's life were the most meaningful for him. A profound sense of realization leaves a weighty silence as Edward surveys the sea of mourners, his own mortality looming large.
The film wraps up with an epilogue depicting Edward living into old age, finally completing his bucket list. As Matthew lays Edward's ashes beside Carter’s on a Himalayan mountaintop, he checks off the last item — "witness something truly majestic" — and nestles the finished list between two cans of Chock full o'Nuts coffee, a touching reminder that even in death, life's greatest treasures often lie in the simple moments cherished with loved ones.
