When two mischievous teenage cousins, Bo Duke and Luke Duke, find themselves in trouble—Bo for reckless driving during his driver's education exam and Luke for launching fireworks at a carnival—they are paroled to their Uncle Jesse's care in Hazzard County, Georgia. There, they are sentenced to a summer filled with hard labor on the family farm. Uncle Jesse, portrayed by [Willie Nelson], upholds a long-standing family tradition of moonshining, a legacy that traces back over 80 years to their grandfather's operation during Prohibition.
As the cousins toil away, they quickly lose interest in their chores and instead become infatuated with some local girls. Their adventure takes a turn when they attempt to visit the Boar's Nest, the town's favorite bar. It is here that they witness Uncle Jesse meeting with the corrupt J.D. 'Boss' Hogg, played by [Christopher McDonald], to discuss Jesse’s regular bribe to the County Commissioner to overlook his illegal moonshine production. An accidental incident with Boss Hogg's prized pig results in chaos, leading to Hogg demanding a hefty sum from Jesse. With the threat of losing their family farm looming over them, Bo and Luke decide to take matters into their own hands, volunteering to assist with the moonshine deliveries.
They reach out for help from their cousin, Daisy Duke, who recently celebrated her 18th birthday but often feels overlooked by boys. Together, they enlist the aid of Cooter Davenport, a perennial senior who helps them enhance the speed of their vehicle. Their escapade involves commandeering a go-cart and racing through the school, which inevitably leads them to an unforeseen chase by an irate hall monitor and enraged girls from the locker room.
While searching for the ideal car at the local junkyard, Bo and Luke stumble upon some girls sunbathing by a pond. In a playful attempt to impress them, Bo inadvertently sends Luke into the water, triggering a series of events. During his reckless dive to rescue Luke, Bo discovers a hidden gem—a dilapidated 1969 Dodge Charger submerged in the water. Realizing its potential, they restore the car, ultimately transforming it into the iconic General Lee.
With their moonshine operations underway, the boys believe they are on the brink of settling their debts with Boss Hogg. However, the situation takes a dire turn when Hogg announces the county is now dry, placing a substantial bounty on the heads of any illegal distillers. He even plans to convert the Boar's Nest into an ice cream parlor, signaling his intent to squash the Duke family's moonshine business.
Amidst all this, Daisy develops feelings for a new bartender at the Boar's Nest named Hughie. Determined to impress him, she undergoes a makeover that transforms her into a more confident presence. Her efforts pay off when Hughie hires her and agrees to a date, but unbeknownst to her, he is secretly aligned with Boss Hogg, ultimately betraying the Dukes.
In a dramatic twist, Jesse organizes a fundraising party to save the farm, only for Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco to crash the event, leading to Jesse's arrest for illegal moonshine sales. The Duke cousins, worried for their uncle, plot to gather evidence to expose Hogg's corruption. They learn of Hogg's ulterior motives to eliminate ridge-runners, allowing him to monopolize the illegal moonshine market while turning the Boar’s Nest into a speakeasy.
During a climactic confrontation at a campaign fundraiser, the Dukes seize Boss Hogg and threaten to drive him off a cliff unless he divulges his schemes. With Daisy cleverly manipulating communications, Hogg's confession is broadcast, and the Dukes escape—and even pull off a spectacular jump over Hogg Ravine during their getaway. They catch Hughie in the act of delivering illegal moonshine, leading to the perfect opportunity to collect the bounty and rescue their farm.
Despite the local citizens rallying against Hogg’s malfeasance, the county commissioner’s race takes an unexpected turn when the leading candidate passes away, inadvertently allowing Boss Hogg to win re-election. Even after all his transgressions, he quickly absolves himself of responsibility by granting himself a pardon. Thus, the Dukes find themselves continuing the fight against corruption while upholding their family legacy in the charming yet chaotic Hazzard County.
