Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a popular, wily high school student living in an affluent Chicago suburb, looking to cut class for a day.
After convincing his parents he's sick, Ferris calls on his friend Cameron to join him, and Cameron reluctantly agrees – as Ferris intends to borrow his father's prized Ferrari to get them there.
They pick up Ferris's girlfriend Sloane and head for an adventure in downtown Chicago, all the while trying to outsmart and outrun the dean of students who has become wise to Ferris' plan.